動機(どうき)

どうき
noun
motive; motivation; incentive
cognition
See also: 同期(どうき) (same year, synchronization), 動悸(どうき) (palpitations)
1. motive; motivation; incentive
The reason or driving force behind a person's action, decision, or behavior. Used in both everyday and legal/criminal contexts.
犯行(はんこう)の動機(どうき)は何(なん)ですか。
What was the motive for the crime?
日本語(にほんご)を学(まな)ぶ動機(どうき)は人(ひと)それぞれだ。
Everyone has their own motivation for learning Japanese.
志望(しぼう)動機(どうき)をしっかり書(か)かないと、面接(めんせつ)で落(お)とされるかもしれない。
If you don't write your motivation for applying properly, you might be rejected at the interview.

Usage

動機(どうき) is used broadly for the reason behind any action, from job applications to criminal investigations.

Common collocations

Watch out

Do not confuse with the homophones 動悸(どうき) (palpitations, rapid heartbeat) or 同期(どうき) (same year/class; synchronization). All three are pronounced どうき but have completely different meanings and kanji.

Related Words

Compare: 理由(りゆう) (reason, cause)
Compare: 励(はげ)み (encouragement)
general
Added 2026.3.9 17:36 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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