动力

• Pinyin: dòng lì
• Hanzi breakdown: 动 (move) + 力 (strength/force)

Meaning

Driving force; motivation; power. The force that propels action, progress, or development.

Can refer to mechanical power (engine power) or abstract motivation (the drive to succeed). Frequently used in both personal and economic contexts to describe what pushes something forward.

Examples

1. 家人的支持是我最大的动力。 The support of my family is my greatest motivation.
2. 学好中文的愿望给了他很大的动力。 The desire to learn Chinese well gave him great motivation.
3. 这台机器的动力非常强。 This machine has very powerful output.

Usage Guide

Context: motivation, engineering, everyday

Tone: inspirational

Do Say

• 孩子是她努力工作的动力。(Her children are her motivation to work hard.)
• 你的鼓励给了我很大的动力。(Your encouragement gave me great motivation.)

Don't Say

• 我很动力 (Don't use 动力 as an adjective — say 我很有动力 or 我充满动力; 动力 is a noun)

Origin & History

Compound of 动 (move) and 力 (strength, force), literally 'moving force.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal