Verbs with 起来

起来 by itself means “to rise” but it is found much more often as a directional complement.

Firstly, this direction can take the literal meaning “up.”

大家站起来!

Everybody stand up!

It can also be used with 了 to show that something just started to happen.

他哭起来了.

He started crying.

狗跑起来了.

The dog started running.

There’s one more very common usage that’s important to know. When added to a verb of sense (sight, smell, taste etc), this particle gives a sense of “seems like.”

It’s very often used with 看 to mean “looks like,” though other verbs work just as well.

她的身体看起来健康.

Her body seems to be healthy.

这个汤闻起来很香.

This soup smells delicious.