Meaning of 动力
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- motive power
- (fig.) motivation; impetus
How to use 动力
动力 is used both for physical power, like the power of an engine, and figuratively for what drives a person or a project forward. It often appears with 有 (yǒu) or 没有 (méiyǒu), or as 学习动力 (motivation to study). Example: 孩子是我工作的动力。 (Háizi shì wǒ gōngzuò de dònglì.) My child is my motivation for working.
动力 is built from 动 (dòng, to move) and 力 (lì, power or strength). Power that makes something move is motive power, and the force that moves a person to act is motivation.
Common mistake: Learners often use 动力 as a verb, as in English "motivate", but it is only a noun. To say something motivates you, use a pattern like 给我动力 (gěi wǒ dònglì, gives me motivation) or 激励 (jīlì, to motivate).
动力 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
动 dòng · to move · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
力 lì · power · 2 strokes
- 1
- 2
Related words
Words that share a character with 动力.
| 动作 | dòngzuò | movement; motion; action; to act; to move |
| 行动 | xíngdòng | operation; action |
| 努力 | nǔlì | to make an effort; to try hard; to strive; hard-working; conscientious |
| 动物 | dòngwù | animal |
| 活动 | huódòng | to exercise; to move about; to work out; shaky; unsteady; loose (tooth etc) |
| 运动 | yùndòng | to move; to exercise |
| 感动 | gǎndòng | to move (sb); to touch (sb emotionally) |
| 动物园 | dòngwùyuán | zoo |
| 力量 | lìliàng | power; force; strength |
| 能力 | nénglì | capability; ability |
| 压力 | yālì | pressure |
| 发动 | fādòng | to start; to launch |
Questions about 动力
What does 动力 mean?
动力 (dònglì) means "motive power; (fig.) motivation; impetus" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 动力?
动力 is made of 2 characters: 动 (6 strokes), 力 (2 strokes). That is 8 strokes in total.
Is 动力 an HSK word?
Yes. 动力 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 动力 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 动力 is written 動力.
What is the difference between 动力 and 努力?
动力 (dònglì) is the driving force or reason behind an action. 努力 (nǔlì) is the effort you put in, and it can be a verb or an adjective. You need 动力 in order to 努力.
How do I say "I have no motivation" in Chinese?
You can say 我没有动力 (wǒ méiyǒu dònglì). In casual speech people also say 我没动力 (wǒ méi dònglì), often about studying or working.