动机

dòng jī

HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 6 Noun Common

Definitions

1. motive; motivation

Word relationships

Related words

2 items

• 原因 yuán yīn 原因 yuán yīn cause 动机偏重主观驱动，原因偏重客观因果: cause
• 目的 mù dì 目的 mù dì purpose; aim; goal; target; objective 动机指内在驱动力，目的指追求的目标: purpose; aim; goal; target; objective

Usage notes

Collocations

动机 is often paired with 不纯 or 不良 to indicate impure motives, e.g., 动机不纯.

Common mistakes

Do not use 动机 interchangeably with 原因 when asking about reasons in everyday conversation; 动机 is more formal and psychological.

Example Sentences

2 shown

他的 动机 是好的，但方法不对。

His motive was good, but the method was wrong.

他的 动机 非常纯粹，只是希望帮助别人。

His motives are very pure, just hoping to help others.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 动机

• 传动机构 传动机构 chuán dòng jī gòu: transmission mechanism
• 元胞自动机 元胞自动机 yuán bāo zì dòng jī: cellular automaton
• 喷气发动机 喷气发动机 pēn qì fā dòng jī: jet engine
• 柴油发动机 柴油发动机 chái yóu fā dòng jī: diesel engine
• 永动机 永动机 yǒng dòng jī: perpetual motion machine
• 涡轮喷气发动机 涡轮喷气发动机 wō lún pēn qì fā dòng jī: turbojet
• 涡轮轴发动机 涡轮轴发动机 wō lún zhóu fā dòng jī: turboshaft
• 发动机 发动机 fā dòng jī: engine; motor
• 电动机 电动机 diàn dòng jī: electric motor

Child Words of 动机

• 动 动 dòng: (of sth) to move
• 机 机 jī: (bound form) machine; mechanism