原動力

• Reading: げんどうりょく
• Romaji: gendouryoku
• Kanji breakdown: 原 (gen/hara) — origin, fundamental; 動 (dō/ugo) — move, motion; 力 (ryoku/chikara) — power, force
• Pronunciation: /ɡendoːɾʲokɯ/

Meaning

Driving force; motive power; impetus. The fundamental energy or motivation that propels action or change.

Literally refers to a mechanical driving force (engine power), but overwhelmingly used figuratively to describe what motivates a person, organisation, or movement. The phrase 〜が原動力となる (〜 becomes the driving force) is extremely common in motivational, biographical, and analytical writing.

Examples

1. 家族への愛情が、困難を乗り越える原動力となった。 Love for his family became the driving force that helped him overcome adversity.
2. イノベーションこそが経済成長の原動力だと信じている。 I believe that innovation is the driving force behind economic growth.
3. 失敗への恐れではなく、夢への情熱を原動力にしてほしい。 Let your passion for your dreams, not the fear of failure, be your driving force.

Usage Guide

Context: motivation, business, biography, economics

Tone: positive

Origin & History

Compound of 原 (gen, origin/fundamental), 動 (dō, motion/movement), and 力 (ryoku, power/force). Literally means fundamental motive power, originally used in mechanical engineering before becoming widely metaphorical.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal