起到 meaning in English
(in an expression of the form 起到[qi3 dao4] + … + 作用[zuo4 yong4]) to have (a (motivating etc) effect); to play (a (stabilizing etc) role)
Meaning of 起到
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- (in an expression of the form 起到[qi3 dao4] + … + 作用[zuo4 yong4]) to have (a (motivating etc) effect); to play (a (stabilizing etc) role)
How to use 起到
起到 almost always appears in the pattern 起到 + adjective + 作用 (zuòyòng), meaning to play a certain role or have a certain effect. It is common in formal writing, news, and reports. Example: 运动对健康起到很大的作用。(Yùndòng duì jiànkāng qǐdào hěn dà de zuòyòng.) Exercise plays a big role in health.
起 (qǐ) means to rise or start, and 到 (dào) means to arrive or reach. Think of an effect that rises up and reaches its goal, so 起到 means an effect actually takes hold.
Common mistake: Learners often use 起到 with objects other than 作用 or 效果, for example saying 起到问题. In practice it pairs with 作用 (zuòyòng) or 效果 (xiàoguǒ). Also do not confuse it with 得到 (dédào), which means to obtain something.
起到 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
起 qǐ · to rise · 10 strokes
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到 dào · to reach · 8 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 起到.
| 一起 | yīqǐ | (in) the same place; together; in company (with) |
| 看到 | kàndào | to see |
| 找到 | zhǎodào | to find |
| 起来 | qǐlái | to stand up; to get up; also pr. [qi3lai2] |
| 对不起 | duìbuqǐ | I'm sorry; excuse me; I beg your pardon; to let (sb) down; to disappoint |
| 得到 | dédào | to get; to obtain; to receive |
| 听到 | tīngdào | to hear |
| 回到 | huídào | to return to |
| 来到 | láidào | to arrive; to come |
| 起床 | qǐchuáng | to get out of bed; to get up |
| 见到 | jiàndào | to see |
| 做到 | zuòdào | to accomplish; to achieve |
Questions about 起到
What does 起到 mean?
起到 (qǐdào) means "(in an expression of the form 起到[qi3 dao4] + … + 作用[zuo4 yong4]) to have (a (motivating etc) effect); to play (a (stabilizing etc) role)".
How do you write 起到?
起到 is made of 2 characters: 起 (10 strokes), 到 (8 strokes). That is 18 strokes in total.
Is 起到 an HSK word?
Yes. 起到 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 起到作用 and 起作用?
Both mean to have an effect. 起作用 (qǐ zuòyòng) is shorter and more neutral. 起到作用 stresses that the effect was actually achieved and usually comes with a modifier, as in 起到了重要作用.
How do I say something had no effect using 起到?
Put 没 (méi) before it: 没起到作用 (méi qǐdào zuòyòng), meaning it did not have any effect. You can also say 没有起到什么作用 for didn't really help.