Usage of the character 起

(after a verb) indicating the beginning and continuation of an action or a state
indicating an upward movement (e.g. after 站 (zhàn))
indicating completion
(after a perception verb, e.g. 看 (kàn)) expressing preliminary judgment
also pr. (qilǎi)

qǐsè

起色

[起色]

a turn for the better
to pick up
to improve

fēngqǐ

蜂起

[蜂起]

to swarm
to rise in masses

jīqǐ

激起

[激起]

to arouse
to evoke
to cause
to stir up

qǐshǒu

起手

[起手]

to set about (doing sth)

tūqǐ

凸起

[凸起]

convex
protruding
to protrude
to bulge
to buckle upwards

qǐxiǎo

起小

[起小]

since childhood

náqǐ

拿起

[拿起]

to pick up

qǐháng

起航

[起航]

(of a ship) to set sail; (of an airplane) to take off

zhàngqǐ

胀起

[脹起]

bulge

qǐkè

起课

[起課]

to practice divination

huànqǐ

唤起

[喚起]

to waken (to action)
to rouse (the masses)
to evoke (attention, recollection etc)

Bái Qǐ

白起

[白起]

Bai Qi (-258 BC), famous general of Qin 秦國／秦国, the victor at 長平／长平 in 260 BC
same as 公孫起／公孙起

qǐsù

起诉

[起訴]

to sue
to bring a lawsuit against
to prosecute

jiānqǐ

肩起

[肩起]

to bear
to shoulder (responsibilities etc)

gǔqǐ

鼓起

[鼓起]

to summon one's (courage, faith etc)
to puff up (one's cheeks etc)
to bulge
to swell out

xióngqǐ

雄起

[雄起]

(cry of encouragement)
to arise
to stand up
to gain the ascendancy
Come on!

qǐjū

起居

[起居]

everyday life
regular pattern of life

tíqǐ

提起

[提起]

to mention
to speak of
to lift
to pick up
to arouse
to raise (a topic, a heavy weight, one's fist, one's spirits etc)

diàoqǐ

吊起

[吊起]

to hoist

qǐgǎo

起稿

[起稿]

to make a draft
to draft (a document)

qǐkai

起开

[起開]

(dialect) to step aside; Get out of the way!

qǐchéng

起程

[起程]

to set out
to leave

xiǎngqǐ

想起

[想起]

to recall
to think of
to call to mind

qǐmáo

起毛

[起毛]

fluff
lint
to feel nervous

qǐqiú

起球

[起球]

(of a sweater, fabric etc) to pill

yǒngqǐ

涌起

[湧起]

to well up
to boil out
to bubble forth
to spurt

fènqǐ

奋起

[奮起]

to rise vigorously
a spirited start

fāqǐ

发起

[發起]

to originate
to initiate
to launch (an attack, an initiative etc)
to start
to propose sth (for the first time)

qǐzi

起子

[起子]

baking soda (used to leaven bread)
screwdriver
bottle opener

qǐyòng

起用

[起用]

to promote
to reinstate (in a position or job)

qǐfēi

起飞

[起飛]

(of an aircraft) to take off

xīngqǐ

兴起

[興起]

to rise
to spring up
to burgeon
to be aroused
to come into vogue

qǐdiǎn

起点

[起點]

starting point

qǐjìn

起劲

[起勁]

energetic; vigorous; enthusiastic

qǐyì

起义

[起義]

uprising
insurrection
revolt

qǐyīn

起因

[起因]

cause
a factor (leading to an effect)

Qǐyà

起亚

[起亞]

Kia (Motors)

qǐjiā

起家

[起家]

to start out by
to grow an enterprise beginning with
to begin one's career by

tánqǐ

谈起

[談起]

to mention
to speak of
to talk about

lóngqǐ

隆起

[隆起]

to swell; to bulge

guàqǐ

挂起

[掛起]

to hang up (a picture etc)
to hoist up (a flag)
(computing) to suspend (a process)
(of a system) to hang
pending (operation)

qǐchuáng

起床

[起床]

to get out of bed; to get up

bóqǐ

勃起

[勃起]

erection
to have an erection

qǐlì

起立

[起立]

to stand
Stand up!

qǐjìng

起敬

[起敬]

to feel respect

sìqǐ

四起

[四起]

to spring up everywhere
from all around

yīqǐ

一起

[一起]

in the same place
together
with
altogether (in total)

jīngqǐ

惊起

[驚起]

to give a start
to startle (an animal etc)

jìqǐ

记起

[記起]

to recall
to recollect

qǐpào

起泡

[起泡]

to bubble
to foam
to blister
to sprout boils (on one's body)
sparkling (wine etc)

tūqǐ

突起

[突起]

to appear suddenly
projection
bit sticking out

zhànqǐ

站起

[站起]

to get up on hind legs (esp. of horse)
to stand
to spring up

yuánqǐ

源起

[源起]

to originate

qǐdòng

起动

[起動]

to start up (a motor)
to launch (a computer application)

qǐmáo

起锚

[起錨]

to weigh anchor

qǐtóu

起头

[起頭]

to start
at first
beginning

qǐpí

起皮

[起皮]

(of skin) to peel

qǐqì

起讫

[起訖]

beginning and end (dates)

wèiqǐ

蔚起

[蔚起]

(literary) to mushroom
to flourish

bǐqǐ

比起

[比起]

compared with

qǐyùn

起运

[起運]

variant of 啟運／启运 (qǐyùn)

qǐluò

起落

[起落]

to rise and fall
takeoff and landing
ups and downs

juǎnqǐ

卷起

[捲起]

to roll up
to curl up
(of dust etc) to swirl up

Qián Qǐ

钱起

[錢起]

Qian Qi (c. 710-780), Tang Dynasty poet

qǐsī

起司

[起司]

cheese (loanword) (Tw)

yuánqǐ

缘起

[緣起]

to originate
origin; genesis
account of the origins of an endeavor

qǐshǐ

起始

[起始]

to originate

qǐyuán

起源

[起源]

origin
to originate
to come from

qǐfú

起伏

[起伏]

to move up and down
to undulate
ups and downs

qǐxiān

起先

[起先]

at first; in the beginning

qǐhuǒ

起火

[起火]

to catch fire
to cook
to get angry

wéiqǐ

围起

[圍起]

to surround
to encircle
to enclose
to fence in

zǎoqǐ

早起

[早起]

to get up early

qǐyì

起意

[起意]

to conceive a scheme
to devise a plan

qǐshì

起士

[起士]

cheese (loanword) (Tw)

zhòuqǐ

皱起

[皺起]

to purse
to pucker (up)

qǐbù

起步

[起步]

to set out
to set in motion
the start (of some activity)

qǐcí

起磁

[起磁]

magnetization
to magnetize

qǐmǎ

起码

[起碼]

at the minimum; at the very least

gōuqǐ

勾起

[勾起]

to evoke
to induce
to call to mind
to pick up with a hook

qǐbào

起爆

[起爆]

to explode
to set off an explosion
to detonate

Wú Qǐ

吴起

[吳起]

Wu Qi (440-381 BC), military leader and politician of the Warring States Period (475-220 BC), author of Wuzi 吳子／吴子 ( Wúzǐ), one of the Seven Military Classics of ancient China 武經七書／武经七书 ( Wǔjīng Qīshū)

qǐzhǒng

起种

[起種]

starter (for sourdough breadmaking)

yángqǐ

扬起

[揚起]

to raise one's head
to perk up

qǐjià

起价

[起價]

initial price (e.g. for the first kilometer)
prices starting from

qǐyǎn

起眼

[起眼]

to catch one's eye (usu. used in the negative)

fànqǐ

泛起

[泛起]

to appear
to emerge
to surface

qǐjiàng

起降

[起降]

(of aircraft) to take off and land

gāoqǐ

高起

[高起]

to rise high; to spring up

qǐjuàn

起圈

[起圈]

to remove manure from a cowshed or pigsty etc (for use as fertilizer)
to muck out

līnqǐ

拎起

[拎起]

to pick up (from the ground with one's hands)

jǔqǐ

举起

[舉起]

to heave
to lift
to raise up
to uphold

qǐjiǎng

起讲

[起講]

to start a story

qǐshēn

起身

[起身]

to get up
to leave
to set forth

Wúqǐ

吴起

[吳起]

Wuqi county in Yan'an 延安 ( Yán'ān), Shaanxi

yǐnqǐ

引起

[引起]

to give rise to; to lead to; to cause; to arouse

qǐcǎo

起草

[起草]

to make a draft
to draw up (plans)

qǐzhòng

起重

[起重]

to lift (sth heavy) using a crane or other mechanical means

qǐchū

起初

[起初]

originally; at first; at the outset

qǐsù

起粟

[起粟]

to get goose bumps

Fènqǐhú

奋起湖

[奮起湖]

Fenchihu, town in Chiayi County, Taiwan

qǐzhēngdiǎn

起征点

[起徵點]

tax threshold

qǐyúnjì

起云剂

[起雲劑]

clouding agent
emulsifier

qǐmíngr

起名儿

[起名兒]

erhua variant of 起名 (qǐmíng)

qǐluòchǎng

起落场

[起落場]

airfield
takeoff and landing strip

Gōngsūn Qǐ

公孙起

[公孫起]

Gongsun Qi (-258 BC), famous general of Qin 秦國／秦国, the victor at 長平／长平 in 260 BC
same as Bai Qi 白起

shūbùqǐ

输不起

[輸不起]

to take defeat with bad grace
to be a sore loser
cannot afford to lose

méiqǐzi

没起子

[沒起子]

(dialect) (of a person) useless
pathetic
spineless

jīnbuqǐ

禁不起

[禁不起]

to be unable to stand

qǐchuángháo

起床号

[起床號]

reveille

móqǐpào

磨起泡

[磨起泡]

friction blister

tūqǐbù

突起部

[突起部]

bit sticking out
projection

qǐzuòyòng

起作用

[起作用]

to have an effect
to play a role
to be operative
to work
to function

qǐsùzhě

起诉者

[起訴者]

plaintiff

zàiyīqǐ

在一起

[在一起]

together

tīngqilai

听起来

[聽起來]

to sound like

qǐzàoyuán

起造员

[起造員]

draftsman
draughtsman

qǐdòngniǔ

起动钮

[起動鈕]

starter button
on switch

pīnqilai

拼起来

[拼起來]

to put together

duìdeqǐ

对得起

[對得起]

not to let sb down
to treat sb fairly
be worthy of

qǐpàomò

起泡沫

[起泡沫]

to emit bubbles
to bubble
to foam (with rage)
to seethe

qǐpǎoxiàn

起跑线

[起跑線]

the starting line (of a race)
scratch line (in a relay race)

qǐluòjià

起落架

[起落架]

undercarriage

jīngdeqǐ

经得起

[經得起]

to be able to withstand
to be able to endure

Wúqǐxiàn

吴起县

[吳起縣]

Wuqi county in Yan'an 延安 ( Yán'ān), Shaanxi

qǐsùshū

起诉书

[起訴書]

indictment (law)
statement of charges (law)

mǎoqǐlai

铆起来

[鉚起來]

to get enthusiastic
to put in all one's energy

kànqǐlai

看起来

[看起來]

seemingly; apparently; looks as if; appears to be; gives the impression that; seems on the face of it to be

liánxiǎngqǐ

联想起

[聯想起]

to associate
to think of

hǎoqǐlai

好起来

[好起來]

to get better
to improve
to get well

suànqǐlái

算起来

[算起來]

to calculate
to estimate
in total
all told
(fig.) if you think about it

qǐdīngchuí

起钉锤

[起釘錘]

claw hammer

qǐsùyuán

起诉员

[起訴員]

prosecutor

rěbuqǐ

惹不起

[惹不起]

can't afford to offend
dare not provoke
difficult to deal with
insufferable

kàndeqǐ

看得起

[看得起]

to show respect for
to think highly of

hǔqǐliǎn

虎起脸

[虎起臉]

to take a fierce look

fāqǐrén

发起人

[發起人]

proposer
initiator
founding member

qǐchuángqì

起床气

[起床氣]

grumpiness resulting from poor sleep; irritability in the morning

xiǎngqilai

想起来

[想起來]

to remember
to recall

zhànqǐlai

站起来

[站起來]

to stand up

língqǐdiǎn

零起点

[零起點]

from zero
from scratch
beginners' (course)
for beginners

jīngbuqǐ

经不起

[經不起]

can't stand it
to be unable to bear
to be unable to resist

mǎibuqǐ

买不起

[買不起]

cannot afford
can't afford buying

bùqǐyǎn

不起眼

[不起眼]

unremarkable
nothing out of the ordinary

duìbuqǐ

对不起

[對不起]

I'm sorry; excuse me; I beg your pardon
to let (sb) down; to disappoint

shāngbùqǐ

伤不起

[傷不起]

(slang) it's just the pits!
so unfair!
unbearable

shūdeqǐ

输得起

[輸得起]

can afford to lose
to take defeat with good grace

qǐxiǎor

起小儿

[起小兒]

erhua variant of 起小 (qǐxiǎo)

duǒbuqǐ

躲不起

[躲不起]

can't avoid
can't hide from
unavoidable

qǐzhòngjī

起重机

[起重機]

crane

qǐjūjiān

起居间

[起居間]

living room

qǐjūshì

起居室

[起居室]

living room
sitting room

kànbuqǐ

看不起

[看不起]

to look down upon
to despise

liǎobuqǐ

了不起

[了不起]

amazing
terrific
extraordinary

qǐdīngqì

起钉器

[起釘器]

staple remover

qiáobùqǐ

瞧不起

[瞧不起]

to look down upon; to hold in contempt

wánbuqǐ

玩不起

[玩不起]

can't afford to play
(fig.) can't accept it when one loses

qǐdiànjī

起电机

[起電機]

electrostatic generator

qǐzhòuwén

起皱纹

[起皺紋]

to shrivel

qǐdiǎnxiàn

起点线

[起點線]

starting line

qǐbóqì

起搏器

[起搏器]

artificial pacemaker

qǐpūgān

起扑杆

[起撲桿]

chipper (golf)

qǐluòzhuāngzhì

起落装置

[起落裝置]

aircraft takeoff and landing gear

qǐfēitánshè

起飞弹射

[起飛彈射]

takeoff catapult (on aircraft carrier)

sīcháoqǐfú

思潮起伏

[思潮起伏]

thoughts surging in one's mind (idiom)
different thoughts coming to mind

zhīfùdéqǐ

支付得起

[支付得起]

to be able to pay
affordable

zǎoshuìzǎoqǐ

早睡早起

[早睡早起]

early to bed, early to rise; to keep early hours

cǐqǐbǐluò

此起彼落

[此起彼落]

to rise and fall in succession (idiom)
repeating continuously

qǐsǐhuíshēng

起死回生

[起死回生]

to rise from the dead (idiom); fig. an unexpected recovery

píngdìqǐjiā

平地起家

[平地起家]

to start from scratch (idiom)

mǎnzuǐqǐpào

满嘴起疱

[滿嘴起皰]

to have lips covered in blisters

yībìngbùqǐ

一病不起

[一病不起]

to fall gravely ill, never to recover (idiom)

bùqǐyǎnr

不起眼儿

[不起眼兒]

erhua variant of 不起眼 (bùqǐyǎn)

lìngqǐlúzào

另起炉灶

[另起爐灶]

lit. to set up a separate kitchen (idiom); to start from scratch
back to square one
to start of on a new path

guàntouqǐzi

罐头起子

[罐頭起子]

can opener

qǐzǎotānhēi

起早贪黑

[起早貪黑]

to be industrious, rising early and going to bed late

jiāqǐwěiba

夹起尾巴

[夾起尾巴]

to tuck one's tail between one's legs
fig. to back down
in a humiliating situation

dōngshānzàiqǐ

东山再起

[東山再起]

lit. to return to office after living as a hermit on Mount Dongshan (idiom); fig. to make a comeback

chóngqǐlúzào

重起炉灶

[重起爐竈]

to start over from scratch (idiom)

qǐchónghúlu

起重葫芦

[起重葫蘆]

hoist pulley

shāngbiāoxúqǐ

商飙徐起

[商飆徐起]

the autumn breeze comes gently (idiom)

pāi'àn'érqǐ

拍案而起

[拍案而起]

lit. to slap the table and stand up (idiom); fig. at the end of one's tether
unable to take it any more

qǐshìdàngāo

起士蛋糕

[起士蛋糕]

cheesecake

Wùzhǒng Qǐyuán

物种起源

[物種起源]

Charles Darwin's "Origin of Species"

fēngshēngshuǐqǐ

风生水起

[風生水起]

lit. a breeze springs up and creates waves on the water (idiom)
fig. flourishing
thriving
prosperous

piānpiānqǐwǔ

翩翩起舞

[翩翩起舞]

(to start) dancing lightly and gracefully

gāocháodiéqǐ

高潮迭起

[高潮迭起]

each new high point replaced by another
(of a movie etc) one climax after another

juédì'érqǐ

崛地而起

[崛地而起]

lit. arising suddenly above the level ground (idiom); sudden emergence of prominent new feature

yīhōng'érqǐ

一哄而起

[一哄而起]

(of a group of people) to rush into action

sùránqǐjìng

肃然起敬

[肅然起敬]

to feel deep veneration for sb (idiom)

rénmínqǐyì

人民起义

[人民起義]

popular uprising

páiqǐchángduì

排起长队

[排起長隊]

to form a long line (i.e. of people waiting)

hòuqǐzhīxiù

后起之秀

[後起之秀]

an up-and-coming youngster; new talent; a brilliant younger generation

Huáng Cháoqǐyì

黄巢起义

[黃巢起義]

Huang Chao peasant uprising 875-884 in late Tang, led by Huang Chao

yǎngwòqǐzuò

仰卧起坐

[仰臥起坐]

sit-up (physical exercise)

Nánchāng Qǐyì

南昌起义

[南昌起義]

Nanchang Uprising, 1st August 1927, the beginning of military revolt by the Communists in the Chinese Civil War

jiàncáiqǐyì

见财起意

[見財起意]

seeing riches provokes evil designs

cǐfúbǐqǐ

此伏彼起

[此伏彼起]

see 此起彼伏 (cǐqǐbǐfú)

Huángjīn Qǐyì

黄巾起义

[黃巾起義]

Yellow Turbans Peasant Uprising at the end of later Han (from 184)

báishǒuqǐjiā

白手起家

[白手起家]

(idiom) to build up from nothing; to start from scratch

bōlánqǐfú

波澜起伏

[波瀾起伏]

one climax follows another (of thrilling story)

mínbiànfēngqǐ

民变峰起

[民變峰起]

seething discontent (idiom); widespread popular grievances

fēngqǐcháoyǒng

风起潮涌

[風起潮湧]

lit. wind rises, tide bubbles up
turbulent times
violent development (idiom)

yīyuè'érqǐ

一跃而起

[一躍而起]

to jump up suddenly
to bound up
to rise up in one bound

yìjūntūqǐ

异军突起

[異軍突起]

to emerge as a new force to be reckoned with (idiom)

dàqǐdàluò

大起大落

[大起大落]

(of market prices etc) to rapidly fluctuate (idiom)
volatile
significant ups and downs
roller coaster

Jīntiánqǐyì

金田起义

[金田起義]

Jintian Uprising

lángyānsìqǐ

狼烟四起

[狼煙四起]

fire beacons on all sides (idiom); enveloped in the flames of war

Wǔchāng Qǐyì

武昌起义

[武昌起義]

Wuchang Uprising of October 10th, 1911, which led to Sun Yat-sen's Xinhai Revolution and the fall of the Qing dynasty

nóngmínqǐyì

农民起义

[農民起義]

peasant revolt

zhīfùbùqǐ

支付不起

[支付不起]

to be unable to pay
unaffordable

qǐjūzuòxī

起居作息

[起居作息]

lit. rising and lying down, working and resting (idiom)
fig. everyday life; daily routine; to go about one's daily life

shùqǐ'ěrduo

竖起耳朵

[豎起耳朵]

to prick up one's ears; to strain to hear sth

fēngqǐyúnyǒng

风起云涌

[風起雲湧]

to surge like a gathering storm (idiom)
to grow by leaps and bounds

guòzǎoqǐbào

过早起爆

[過早起爆]

preinitiation

qǐzǎomōhēi

起早摸黑

[起早摸黑]

see 起早貪黑／起早贪黑 (qǐzǎotānhēi)

gǔqǐyǒngqì

鼓起勇气

[鼓起勇氣]

to summon one's courage

tíqǐgōngsù

提起公诉

[提起公訴]

to prosecute sb

tíqiánqǐbào

提前起爆

[提前起爆]

"fizzle" (atomic bomb misfire)
preinitiation

cǐqǐbǐfú

此起彼伏

[此起彼伏]

up here, down there (idiom); to rise and fall in succession
no sooner one subsides, the next arises
repeating continuously
occurring again and again (of applause, fires, waves, protests, conflicts, uprisings etc)

rénlèiqǐyuán

人类起源

[人類起源]

origin of mankind

tíqǐjīngshen

提起精神

[提起精神]

to raise one's spirits
to take courage

píngqǐpíngzuò

平起平坐

[平起平坐]

to be on an equal footing

Qiūshōu Qǐyì

秋收起义

[秋收起義]

Autumn Harvest Uprising (1927), insurrection in Hunan and Jiangxi provinces led by Mao Zedong

fènqǐzhízhuī

奋起直追

[奮起直追]

to catch up vigorously
to set off in hot pursuit

wénjīqǐwǔ

闻鸡起舞

[聞雞起舞]

to start practicing at the first crow of the cock (idiom)
to be diligent in one's studies

fùdānbuqǐ

负担不起

[負擔不起]

cannot afford
cannot bear the burden

hòuyuànqǐhuǒ

后院起火

[後院起火]

a conflict arises close to home (idiom)

fēngyānsìqǐ

烽烟四起

[烽煙四起]

lit. fire beacons in all four directions (idiom); the confusion of war

luósīqǐzi

螺丝起子

[螺絲起子]

screwdriver

qǐsīdàngāo

起司蛋糕

[起司蛋糕]

cheesecake

jùzàiyīqǐ

聚在一起

[聚在一起]

to get together

fēnghuǒsìqǐ

烽火四起

[烽火四起]

the fire of war in all four directions (idiom); the confusion of war

xiǎoqǐzhòngjī

小起重机

[小起重機]

jack

tóumèi'érqǐ

投袂而起

[投袂而起]

lit. to shake one's sleeves and rise (idiom)
fig. to get excited and move to action

zhuàngqǐdǎnzi

壮起胆子

[壯起膽子]

to proceed with sth even though scared; to put on a brave face

chéngshàngqǐxià

承上起下

[承上起下]

to follow the past and herald the future (idiom); part of a historical transition
forming a bridge between earlier and later stages

wúlìbùqǐzǎo

无利不起早

[無利不起早]

(saying) people don't get up early unless there is some benefit in doing so
won't lift a finger unless there's something in it for oneself

jīngbùqǐtuījiū

经不起推究

[經不起推究]

does not bear examination

wúfēngbùqǐlàng

无风不起浪

[無風不起浪]

lit. without wind there cannot be waves (idiom); there must be a reason
no smoke without fire

píngdìqǐfēngbō

平地起风波

[平地起風波]

trouble appearing from nowhere
unforeseen situation

Dàzéxiāng Qǐyì

大泽乡起义

[大澤鄉起義]

Dazexiang Uprising, another name for 陳勝吳廣起義／陈胜吴广起义 ( Chén Shèng Wú Guǎng Qǐyì)

wànshìqǐtóunán

万事起头难

[萬事起頭難]

the first step is the hardest (idiom)

Fànshìqǐdiànjī

范氏起电机

[范氏起電機]

Van de Graaff generator

qúnqǐ'érgōngzhī

群起而攻之

[群起而攻之]

the masses rise to attack it (idiom); Everyone is against the idea.
universally abhorrent

Huánghuāgǎngqǐyì

黄花岗起义

[黃花崗起義]

Huanghuagang uprising of 23rd April 1911 in Guangzhou, one a long series of unsuccessful uprisings of Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary party

shùqǐdàmuzhǐ

竖起大拇指

[豎起大拇指]

to give a thumbs-up
to express one's approval

Dōng Tàipíng Yáng Lóngqǐ

东太平洋隆起

[東太平洋隆起]

East Pacific Rise (a mid-oceanic ridge stretching from California to Antarctica)

duǎnjùqǐluòfēijī

短距起落飞机

[短距起落飛機]

short takeoff and landing aircraft

nádeqǐfàngdexià

拿得起放得下

[拿得起放得下]

lit. can pick it up or put it down (idiom)
fig. to take what comes
to meet gains or losses with equanimity

chuízhíqǐluòfēijī

垂直起落飞机

[垂直起落飛機]

vertical takeoff and landing aircraft

bóqǐgōngnéngzhàng'ài

勃起功能障碍

[勃起功能障礙]

erectile dysfunction (ED)

Chén Shèng Wú Guǎng Qǐyì

陈胜吴广起义

[陳勝吳廣起義]

Chen Sheng Wu Guang Uprising (209 BC), near the end of the Qin dynasty

fúbùqǐde Adǒu

扶不起的阿斗

[扶不起的阿斗]

weak and inept person
hopeless case

ànxiàhúlúfúqǐpiáo

按下葫芦浮起瓢

[按下葫蘆浮起瓢]

solve one problem only to find another cropping up

dàhuìbàogàoqǐcǎorén

大会报告起草人

[大會報告起草人]

rapporteur

wànzhànggāolóupíngdìqǐ

万丈高楼平地起

[萬丈高樓平地起]

towering buildings are built up from the ground (idiom)
great oaks from little acorns grow

Fàndégélāfūqǐdiànjī

范德格拉夫起电机

[范德格拉夫起電機]

Van de Graaff generator

bānqǐshítouzázìjǐdejiǎo

搬起石头砸自己的脚

[搬起石頭砸自己的腳]

to crush one's own foot while trying to maneuver a rock (to a cliff edge, to drop on one's enemy) (idiom)
hoisted by one's own petard

yībōwèipíng,yībōyòuqǐ

一波未平，一波又起

[一波未平，一波又起]

before the first wave subsides, a new wave rises (idiom); a new problem arises before the old is solved
many twists and turns to a story
one thing after another

fēngyānsìqǐ,zhànhuǒfēnfēi

烽烟四起，战火纷飞

[烽煙四起，戰火紛飛]

lit. fire beacons in all four directions (idiom); the confusion of war

chuízhíhéduǎnjùqǐluòfēijī

垂直和短距起落飞机

[垂直和短距起落飛機]

vertical or short takeoff and landing aircraft

shìbùguānjǐ,gāogāoguàqǐ

事不关己，高高挂起

[事不關己，高高掛起]

to feel unconcerned and let matters rest (idiom)

mǎwěichuāndòufu,tíbuqǐlai

马尾穿豆腐，提不起来

[馬尾穿豆腐，提不起來]

lit. like tofu strung on horsetail, you can't lift it
fig. let's not talk of this (pun on 提 (tí))

quánshìjièwúchǎnzhěliánhéqǐlai

全世界无产者联合起来

[全世界無產者聯合起來]

Proletarier aller Länder, vereinigt euch!
Workers of the world, unite!

rènpíngfēnglàngqǐ,wěnzuòdiàoyútái

任凭风浪起，稳坐钓鱼台

[任憑風浪起，穩坐釣魚臺]

lit. to sit tight on the fishing terrace despite the storm (idiom)
fig. to stay calm in a tense situation

bǎonuǎnsīyínyù,jīhánqǐdàoxīn

饱暖思淫欲，饥寒起盗心

[飽暖思淫欲，飢寒起盜心]

lechery springs from warmth and nourishment, kleptomania springs from hunger and cold (idiom)

duānqǐwǎnchīròu,fàngxiàkuàizimàniáng

端起碗吃肉，放下筷子骂娘

[端起碗吃肉，放下筷子罵娘]

lit. to eat meat from one's bowl, then put down one's chopsticks and scold one's mother (idiom)
fig. to complain despite being privileged
to be ungrateful for what one has been given

yībù'èrshísìshǐ,bùzhīcónghéshuōqǐ

一部二十四史，不知从何说起

[一部二十四史，不知從何說起]

It's a long and intricate story, I hardly know where to start.