dung6 gei1動機动机
Jyutpingdung6 gei1
Yaleduhng gēi
Definition
Motive or intention; the underlying reason that drives someone to take action.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
Focuses on the internal psychological drive behind an action rather than just the external reason. It is frequently used in formal contexts like legal proceedings, academic research, or investigative journalism to probe the 'why' behind someone's behavior. While it sounds slightly formal, it is perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation when discussing serious matters.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He has absolutely no motive to deceive anyone.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse it with 原因, which is a general 'reason' or 'cause'. Use 動機 specifically when you are talking about the underlying intent or desire that pushes someone to act, rather than just a factual explanation for an event.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
