起家

qǐjiā

verb #22,257

Meanings

1 to start out by
2 to build up from scratch
3 to found one's career or fortune with

Characters

to rise / to start

home / family / foundation

Examples

他靠做小生意起家。

Tā kào zuò xiǎo shēngyì qǐjiā.

He started out by doing small business.

这家公司以电子产品起家。

Zhè jiā gōngsī yǐ diànzǐ chǎnpǐn qǐjiā.

This company started with electronics products.

Tips

usage

起家 is typically used with 以…起家 or 靠…起家 to indicate the means. It implies building from humble beginnings — often used admiringly of entrepreneurs.

Stroke Order

起 qǐ

家 jiā