动机 (dòng jī) — motive, motivation | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

动机 names the reason or intention behind an action, often with a hidden or self-interested flavor. Contrast with 动力 (the driving force that keeps you going) and 出发点 (the starting point of an action or argument).

noun

motivemotivation

Examples

动机？
Tā de dòng jī shì shén me?
What is his motive?
动机。
Tā zuò zhè jiàn shì de dòng jī hěn fù zá.
Her motive for doing this is very complicated.
动机。
Xué xí dòng jī duì chéng gōng hěn zhòng yào.
Motivation to study is very important for success.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

机jīmechanism

The first part means move and the second means trigger or mechanism, so the word is the inner mechanism that moves action.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 動; 动 is its simplified writing.

重力動

Meaning part形符xíngfú

力力lìstrength

Sound part声符shēngfú

重

重zhòng動dòng

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 動 uses 力 (strength) and 重 as a sound part; 重 refers to a heavy bag ready to be moved by a human. This note is about 動, not 动.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

木几机

Meaning part形符xíngfú

木木mùtree; wood

Sound part声符shēngfú

几

几jǐ机jī

Same sound today

The left part is 木 (tree; wood), and the right part 几 gives the sound.

Appears in

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