动机 dòngjī motive
motive; motivation
How to remember 动机: 动 move + 机 machine = motive.
Characters
How it is used
- The underlying motive or intention behind an action - 犯罪动机 (fànzuì dòngjī) criminal motive, 动机不纯 (dòngjī bù chún) impure motives.
- Focuses on the reason/purpose in someone's mind, often morally scrutinized; contrast 动力 (dònglì), the energizing force that keeps you going.
- Common in psychology, law, and evaluating intentions.
Example sentences
- 发动机坏掉了。 Fādòngjī huàidiào le.The engine died.