1.
to cause, to give rise to, to trigger
To bring about an event, situation, or condition, often something problematic.
不注意が事故を引き起こした。
Carelessness caused the accident.
この薬は副作用を引き起こす可能性がある。
This medicine may cause side effects.
経済危機が社会不安を引き起こしている。
The economic crisis is causing social unrest.
2.
to help up, to raise up
To physically help someone who has fallen to stand up.
転んだ子供を引き起こしてあげた。
I helped the child who had fallen get up.
TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞 (transitive). Compound verb: 引く + 起こす. Pattern: Xを引き起こす (cause X / help X up).
ASPECT: ている indicates ongoing situation or resulting state. 引き起こしている = 'is causing' or 'has caused.'
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 問題を引き起こす (cause a problem)
- 事故を引き起こす (cause an accident)
- 反発を引き起こす (provoke opposition)
- 副作用を引き起こす (cause side effects)
NOTE: Sense 1 (to cause) is much more common than sense 2 (to help up). Often used for negative events or consequences.