起

A phono-semantic/associative compound:

走 (“to walk, to move”) — semantic element, indicating movement or action

巳 (phonetic component, originally depicting a curled form) — provides sound value

Together, they convey the sense of “to begin to move, to rise up.”

Originally used for standing up or setting something in motion; extended to mean “to raise, to cause, to arise, to begin.”

起立 (기립) — to stand up

起床 (기상) — to get out of bed

起動 (기동) — to activate, to set in motion

起始 (기시) — beginning, start

起源 (기원) — origin, source

奮起 (분기) — to rise up with spirit, to rouse oneself

In classical texts, 起 often signifies the start of action or the arising of events, both physical (standing, rising) and abstract (causes, origins).

In Buddhist and Confucian writings, it can denote the arising of thoughts or intentions.

In modern usage, 起 commonly appears in compounds for “starting” or “activating.”

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