verb HSK 4
to mention · to bring up (a topic) · to lift · to raise
Meaning
提起 primarily means to mention or bring up a topic in conversation. It can also literally mean to lift or pick up a physical object. The word combines 提 (to lift/carry) and 起 (to rise), creating the sense of bringing something into view or attention, whether a topic or an object.
Usage
In everyday conversation, 提起 is most commonly used when introducing a topic or recalling something: '说到/提到这个...' (speaking of this...). It often appears in the pattern '一提起...' (as soon as [something] is mentioned). When meaning physical lifting, 提起 is somewhat literary; 拿起 is more colloquial for picking things up.
Examples
- 01一提起这件事，他就很激动。, .As soon as this matter is mentioned, he gets very excited.
- 02我在会上提起了这个问题。.I brought up this issue at the meeting.
Characters
Common collocations
- 一提起as soon as [something] is mentioned
- 提起诉讼to file a lawsuit
- 提起精神to rouse one's spirits
- 别提起don't mention
Origin
The combination reflects a metaphorical extension from physically lifting something up to bringing a topic or memory into consciousness or conversation.