動機

• 読み: どうき
• ローマ字: douki
• 漢字の分解: 動 (dou) — move, motion; 機 (ki) — trigger, opportunity, machine
• 発音: /doː.ki/

意味

A motive or incentive; the reason or driving force behind an action or decision.

A noun used in both everyday and formal contexts. In criminal investigations, 犯行の動機 (motive for the crime) is a key concept. In psychology, 動機付け (motivation) is the process of creating incentives. Also common in job interviews: 志望動機 (reason for applying). Differs from 理由 (reason) in that 動機 emphasises the inner psychological drive rather than external justification.

例文

1. 警察は犯行の動機を調べている。
2. 志望動機を面接で聞かれて緊張した。
3. 彼が転職を決めた動機は給料ではなくやりがいだった。

使い方ガイド

場面: crime, psychology, job hunting, academic

トーン: serious

起源と歴史

From Sino-Japanese 動 (dou, to move) + 機 (ki, trigger/opportunity). Literally 'the trigger that moves one to act,' capturing the idea of an inner force that sets action in motion.

文化的背景

時代: Modern

世代: Adults

社会的背景: Educated