====== dònglì: 动力 - Motivation, Power, Driving Force, Impetus ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** dongli, 动力, Chinese motivation, what is dongli, driving force in Chinese, Chinese word for power, Chinese for impetus, learn Chinese motivation, HSK 4 vocabulary.
  * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **动力 (dònglì)**, a fundamental Chinese word that means both the literal "power" of an engine and the metaphorical "motivation" or "driving force" behind your goals. This page breaks down the characters 动 (dòng) and 力 (lì), explores its cultural significance in modern China's ambition, and provides numerous practical examples. Learn the crucial difference between 动力 (dònglì) and 力量 (lìliang) to use it like a native speaker.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** dònglì
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 4
  * **Concise Definition:** The power or force that causes motion or drives action; motivation.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **动力 (dònglì)** as the "engine" behind an action. It can be a physical engine, like in a car, or it can be the internal, psychological engine that pushes you to study, work hard, or achieve a goal. It’s not just a reason, it’s the active, energetic force that propels you forward.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **动 (dòng):** This character means "to move," "to act," or "action." It represents the very concept of movement and activity.
  * **力 (lì):** This character means "power," "force," or "strength." Its ancient form is a pictogram of a plow, representing the strength needed for farming, or a person flexing their muscle.
When combined, **动力 (dònglì)** literally translates to "moving power" or "action force." This combination perfectly captures the essence of the word: it is the power that creates movement and drives action.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
While **动力 (dònglì)** is a modern, practical term, it taps into the very core of contemporary Chinese society's emphasis on progress, development, and self-improvement.
A useful comparison is with the Western concept of "ambition." In the West, "ambition" can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation of being ruthless or self-serving. However, having **动力 (dònglì)** in China is almost universally seen as a positive and necessary trait. It’s the engine for achieving success, which is often viewed not just as a personal victory, but as a way to bring honor to one's family and contribute to the nation's progress.
This connects to the value of hard work and education. A student's **动力** to ace the //[[高考]]// (gāokǎo - college entrance exam) isn't just for a personal career; it's fueled by the desire to repay their parents' sacrifice and secure a better future for the entire family unit. Therefore, **动力** is often a collectively-felt force, even when it manifests in an individual's actions.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**动力** is an extremely common word used in various contexts, from the literal to the highly metaphorical.
  *   **Literal (Engineering & Physics):** When talking about machines, **动力** refers to the power that makes them run.
    *   `这辆车的**动力**很强。` (This car's power/engine is very strong.)
  *   **Metaphorical (Personal Motivation):** This is the most frequent usage. It's the inner drive that compels someone to act.
    *   `我需要一些学习的**动力**。` (I need some motivation to study.)
  *   **Abstract (Societal & Economic):** It can describe the driving forces behind large-scale trends.
    *   `创新是经济发展的核心**动力**。` (Innovation is the core driving force of economic development.)
The connotation is almost always neutral to positive. A "lack of 动力" is a problem to be solved, while "having 动力" is a desirable state.
===== Example Sentences =====
  *   **Example 1:**
    *   最近工作很累，我一点儿**动力**都没有了。
    *   Pinyin: Zuìjìn gōngzuò hěn lèi, wǒ yīdiǎnr **dònglì** dōu méiyǒu le.
    *   English: Work has been so tiring lately, I've completely lost my motivation.
    *   Analysis: This is a very common way to express burnout or a lack of drive. `一点儿...都/也...没有` is a common structure for "not at all."
  *   **Example 2:**
    *   为了家人的幸福，他充满了工作的**动力**。
    *   Pinyin: Wèile jiārén de xìngfú, tā chōngmǎnle gōngzuò de **dònglì**.
    *   English: For the sake of his family's happiness, he is full of motivation for his work.
    *   Analysis: This sentence perfectly illustrates the cultural idea that family is a primary source of **动力**. `充满了 (chōngmǎnle)` means "is full of."
  *   **Example 3:**
    *   你的**动力**来源是什么？
    *   Pinyin: Nǐ de **dònglì** láiyuán shì shénme?
    *   English: What is the source of your motivation?
    *   Analysis: A great question to ask someone to understand their goals and values. `来源 (láiyuán)` means "source."
  *   **Example 4:**
    *   这台发动机的**动力**不足。
    *   Pinyin: Zhè tái fādòngjī de **dònglì** bùzú.
    *   English: This engine's power is insufficient.
    *   Analysis: A clear example of the literal, mechanical meaning of **动力**. `不足 (bùzú)` means "insufficient" or "not enough."
  *   **Example 5:**
    *   老师的鼓励给了我继续前进的**动力**。
    *   Pinyin: Lǎoshī de gǔlì gěile wǒ jìxù qiánjìn de **dònglì**.
    *   English: The teacher's encouragement gave me the motivation to keep moving forward.
    *   Analysis: This shows that **动力** can come from external sources like encouragement (`鼓励 gǔlì`).
  *   **Example 6:**
    *   减肥需要很强的**动力**和自制力。
    *   Pinyin: Jiǎnféi xūyào hěn qiáng de **dònglì** hé zìzhìlì.
    *   English: Losing weight requires strong motivation and self-control.
    *   Analysis: A practical, everyday example. It pairs **动力** with a related concept, `自制力 (zìzhìlì)`, or self-control.
  *   **Example 7:**
    *   兴趣是最好的**动力**。
    *   Pinyin: Xìngqù shì zuì hǎo de **dònglì**.
    *   English: Interest is the best motivation.
    *   Analysis: A common saying that highlights that genuine interest (`兴趣 xìngqù`) is a powerful driving force.
  *   **Example 8:**
    *   改革开放为中国经济注入了新的**动力**。
    *   Pinyin: Gǎigé kāifàng wèi Zhōngguó jīngjì zhùrùle xīn de **dònglì**.
    *   English: The Reform and Opening-Up injected new impetus into China's economy.
    *   Analysis: This demonstrates the abstract, societal use of the term. `注入 (zhùrù)` means "to inject."
  *   **Example 9:**
    *   如果找不到做这件事的**动力**，你很可能就会放弃。
    *   Pinyin: Rúguǒ zhǎo bu dào zuò zhè jiàn shì de **dònglì**, nǐ hěn kěnéng jiù huì fàngqì.
    *   English: If you can't find the motivation to do this, you will very likely give up.
    *   Analysis: This sentence sets up a cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting the essential role of **动力** in perseverance. `找不到 (zhǎo bu dào)` means "can't find."
  *   **Example 10:**
    *   金钱是主要的**动力**之一，但不是唯一的。
    *   Pinyin: Jīnqián shì zhǔyào de **dònglì** zhī yī, dàn búshì wéiyī de.
    *   English: Money is one of the main motivations, but it's not the only one.
    *   Analysis: Acknowledges the role of money as a motivator while suggesting other factors are also important. `之一 (zhī yī)` means "one of..."
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between **动力 (dònglì)** and **力量 (lìliang)**.
  *   **动力 (dònglì):** The force that *causes* motion or action. It is active, directional, and often answers the question "why move?"
  *   **力量 (lìliang):** Strength, power, force. It is the *capacity* or potential to exert force. It is more static and answers the question "how much strength?"
**Analogy:** A world-class weightlifter has immense **力量 (lìliang)** in their muscles. The desire to win an Olympic gold medal is their **动力 (dònglì)**.
**Incorrect Usage:**
  *   `他很有**动力**，可以举起100公斤。` (Incorrect)
    *   **Why it's wrong:** Lifting a weight is a measure of raw strength, not motivation.
    *   **Correct:** `他很有**力量**，可以举起100公斤。` (He is very strong and can lift 100 kg.)
**Incorrect Usage:**
  *   `我学习的**力量**是我的父母。` (Awkward/Incorrect)
    *   **Why it's wrong:** Parents are the *reason* or *driving force* for studying, not the literal strength for it.
    *   **Correct:** `我学习的**动力**是我的父母。` (My motivation for studying is my parents.)
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  *   [[力量]] (lìliang) - Strength; power. The raw capacity or might, whereas **动力** is the impetus for action.
  *   [[努力]] (nǔlì) - To work hard; to strive. This is the action that is often fueled by **动力**.
  *   [[动机]] (dòngjī) - Motive; intention. More formal than **动力**, often used when analyzing the specific reason behind a complex action, sometimes with a neutral or even negative connotation (e.g., a criminal's motive).
  *   [[精力]] (jīnglì) - Energy; vigor. The personal physical and mental energy you possess to get things done. You need **精力** to act on your **动力**.
  *   [[压力]] (yālì) - Pressure; stress. Often a source of **动力**, though usually a negative or reluctant one. The pressure to meet a deadline can be your **动力** to stay up late.
  *   [[激情]] (jīqíng) - Passion; enthusiasm. A very strong, positive, and emotional source of **动力**.
  *   [[原因]] (yuányīn) - Reason; cause. The logical explanation for why something happened. **动力** is more about the emotional or energetic push, while **原因** is about the logical foundation.
  *   [[源泉]] (yuánquán) - Source; fountainhead. Often used poetically with **动力**, as in `动力的源泉` (the source of motivation).