Meaning
动机 refers to the underlying reason or driving force behind someone's actions or behavior. It encompasses both conscious intentions and subconscious drives that prompt a person to act in a certain way. The term is commonly used in psychology, law, and everyday discussions about why people do what they do.
Usage
动机 is used in both formal and informal contexts. In legal contexts, it often refers to criminal motive. In psychology and education, it describes what motivates learning or behavior. Common patterns include '有动机' (to have a motive), '缺乏动机' (to lack motivation), and '动机不纯' (to have impure motives). It's more formal than casual words like '想法' (idea) or '目的' (purpose).
Examples
- 01警察正在调查他的犯罪动机。.The police are investigating his criminal motive.
- 02她学习汉语的动机是想在中国工作。.Her motivation for learning Chinese is that she wants to work in China.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个动机
Common collocations
- 犯罪动机criminal motive
- 学习动机learning motivation
- 动机不纯to have impure motives
- 缺乏动机to lack motivation
Origin
动机 literally combines '动' (movement/action) and '机' (mechanism/opportunity), suggesting the internal mechanism that sets action in motion. This term was likely coined or popularized in modern Chinese as a translation of Western psychological concepts.