说起
How to Understand
说起 is a verb phrase that means 'to speak of' or 'to mention.' It is commonly used to introduce a topic, often in the context of discussing something that is well-known or widely talked about.
The character 说 (shuō) means 'to speak' or 'to say,' while 起 (qǐ) literally means 'to rise' or 'to begin.' Together, 说起 conveys the idea of 'beginning to speak' or 'mentioning' something, often in a conversational tone.
It is frequently used in spoken Chinese and informal writing. For example, when introducing a subject, people might say 说起中国 (shuō qǐ Zhōngguó), meaning 'Speaking of China.' It can also be used to transition into a discussion about a particular topic, making it a useful expression for engaging in conversation.