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起到 (qǐ dào) — to have (an effect); to play (a role)

Definition

起到 (qǐ dào) means 'to play (a role)' or 'to have (an effect)' — it needs a follow-up noun like 作用, 效果, or 影响. Unlike 有着 or 具有, it focuses on a function or outcome something performs, not a quality it has.

verb
to have (an effect)to play (a role)

Examples

  • 起到。
    Zhè ge jiàn yì qǐ dào le hěn hǎo de zuò yòng.
    This suggestion has played a very good role.
  • 起到。
    Yùn dòng néng qǐ dào duàn liàn shēn tǐ de zuò yòng.
    Exercise can play a role in training the body.
  • 起到。
    Tā de yǎn jiǎng qǐ dào le hěn hǎo de xiào guǒ.
    His speech had a very good effect.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

起qǐstart
到dàoreach

起 (start) and 到 (reach) mean to bring about an effect or role.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
走走zǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
巳
巳sì起qǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

起 is made from 走 and 巳: 走 is the part connected with walking or running, and 巳 gives the sound.

Open 起 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
至至zhìto arrive
Sound part声符shēngfú
刀
刀dāo到dào
Same sound today

到 combines 至, meaning 'to arrive', with 刀 as the sound part. The 至 part points to the idea of reaching a stopping point.

Open 到 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4

Browse more HSK 4 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.