Chinese word

动机

Pronunciation

Pinyindòng jī

Meaning

  • nounmotivation

Example

她缺乏动机去学习。tā quē fá dòng jī qù xué xí

She lacks the motivation to study.

Illustration for 动机 (motivation)

More examples

老师的话激发了他的动机。lǎo shī de huà jī fā le tā de dòng jī

The teacher's words sparked his motivation.

Core concept

An inner force that sets an action in motion.

Common phrases

  • 缺乏动机quē fá dòng jī

    lack motivation

  • 激发动机jī fā dòng jī

    spark motivation

  • 内在动机nèi zài dòng jī

    intrinsic motivation

Similar words

动力dòng lì: An inner driving force that starts or keeps an action going.
兴趣xìng qù: A feeling of interest and enjoyment that makes a person want to take part.
目的mù dì: A specific goal or result that an action is meant to achieve.
意图yì tú: A specific intention or aim behind an action.

Definition in Chinese

引发或促成某种行为的内在动因，通常指心理上的理由或欲望。yǐn fā huò cù chéng móu zhǒng xíng wéi de nèi zài dòng yīn tōng cháng zhǐ xīn lǐ shàng de lǐ yóu huò yù wàng

Word origin

动 (dòng, "to move") + 机 (jī, "trigger or opportunity") forms a compound for the force or reason that starts an action.

Usage tips

  • A useful everyday distinction is between inner reasons such as interest and outer reasons such as money or praise; both can be described with this noun.

Other meanings

  • drivenoun

Word lists with this word