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motivazione
/mo.ti.va.t͡sjoˈne/
motivation
La sua motivazione per studiare era molto forte.
His motivation for studying was very strong.
neutral
The reason or cause that makes someone act in a particular way; the drive to achieve a goal.
La motivazione di Maria per imparare l'italiano è il suo nuovo lavoro a Roma.
Maria's motivation for learning Italian is her new job in Rome.
Senza motivazione, è difficile completare un progetto lungo.
Without motivation, it's hard to complete a long project.
In psychology, 'motivazione' can refer to intrinsic (internal) or extrinsic (external) drives.
formal
The act of providing reasons or justification for an action or decision.
La motivazione della sentenza è stata molto dettagliata.
The motivation for the verdict was very detailed.
Commonly used in legal or administrative contexts.
Collocations
motivazione intrinsecaintrinsic motivationmotivazione estrinsecaextrinsic motivationperdere la motivazioneto lose motivationmancanza di motivazionelack of motivation
Synonyms
Pro Tip
Avoid false friends
The English 'motivation' is a direct cognate, but in Italian, 'motivazione' is more commonly used in both abstract and concrete contexts (e.g., legal justifications).
Gold Rule
Use 'motivazione' for both internal and external drives
Unlike English, where 'motivation' often implies internal drive, Italian 'motivazione' can refer to external incentives (e.g., *motivazione economica* = financial incentive) without implying intrinsic motivation.
Word Origin
From Latin *motivatio*, derived from *motivare* ('to move'), from *motus* ('movement'), past participle of *movere* ('to move'). The word entered Italian in the 17th century, initially in legal contexts before expanding to general use.
Usage Notes
In Italian, 'motivazione' is uncountable when referring to the general concept (e.g., *La motivazione è importante*), but countable when referring to specific reasons (e.g., *Ha molte motivazioni per partire*).
Word Breakdown
motivo
reason/motive
root-azione
action or result of
suffixDizionario Italiano-Inglese