駆り立てる

• Reading: かりたてる
• Romaji: karitateru
• Kanji breakdown: 駆 (ku) — drive, spur, gallop; 立 (ritsu) — stand, set up, make act
• Pronunciation: /ka.ɾi.ta.te.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To drive someone on; to urge; to spur into action; to be propelled by a powerful impulse such as desire, fear, or duty.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb often used in the passive construction ～に駆り立てられる (to be driven or compelled by ~). The subject can be a person driving others, or an abstract force such as emotion or circumstance compelling someone to act. Common with nouns such as 使命感 (sense of mission), 恐怖 (fear), and 好奇心 (curiosity). Conveys a strong, often irresistible internal or external pressure that leaves little room for resistance.

Examples

1. 強い好奇心に駆り立てられて、彼は世界中の秘境を旅して回った。 Driven by intense curiosity, he travelled to remote destinations all over the world.
2. 指導者の言葉が兵士たちを前線へと駆り立てた。 The leader's words drove the soldiers forward to the front line.
3. 彼女を行動へと駆り立てたのは、子どもたちの未来を守りたいという強い意志だった。 What drove her to act was a powerful desire to protect the future of the children.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, psychology, motivation, formal writing

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Compound of 駆る (to drive, to spur on, to gallop) and 立てる (to make stand, to set going). The kanji 駆 depicts a horse being driven forward at speed.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: All classes