motivación
/motibaˈθjon/feminine
The English word motivation is translated into Spanish as motivación. Wiktionary also lists motivante.
Meaning: reason for doing something (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| motivación | /motibaˈθjon/ /motibaˈsjon/ |
feminine |
| motivante | /motiˈbante/ | masculine |
motivación is used as a noun to describe the reason for doing something. In more formal contexts, you might use estímulo to denote motivation or impulso to describe a driving force.
Which one should you use?
motivación is the noun meaning 'motivation', whereas motivante is an adjective meaning 'motivating'.
How does it change in a sentence?
motivación is a feminine noun. motivante is a masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/motibaˈθjon/
Did you know?
- In Spanish legal contexts, the word motivación refers specifically to the requirement for a judge to provide the detailed reasoning and evidence behind a judicial decision.
- While motivación is the standard term, Spanish speakers often use ganas, which translates to 'desire' or 'urge', to express the daily feeling of being motivated to do a task.
- The Spanish word motivación shares the same ancestral root as the English word 'move'. Both trace back to the Latin moveō, which describes the act of shifting or changing position.
Examples in context
- A Tomás le falta motivación.Tom lacks motivation.This sentence shows how to express a lack of motivación.Tatoeba #5048498 by don_ramon, translation #1024610 by CK
- La motivación es la clave del éxito.Motivation is the key to success.Tatoeba #1686796 by Shishir, translation #1664092 by Spamster
- La motivación de Yanni se avivó todavía más.Yanni's motivation was fueled even further.This sentence describes how someone's motivación was fueled further.Tatoeba #10077003 by manufrutos, translation #10076068 by Amastan
- Todos los empleados deben mantener alta su motivación para alcanzar los objetivos de la empresa.All employees must keep their motivation high in order to achieve the company's goals.
- Es importante brindar estímulos positivos a los niños para fomentar su motivación hacia el aprendizaje.It is important to provide positive stimuli to children to encourage their motivation towards learning.
- El reconocimiento profesional puede brindarte el impulso necesario para mantener tu motivación en el trabajo.Professional recognition can provide you with the necessary drive to maintain your motivation at work.
- ¡Vamos, ánimo! No te rindas, estoy seguro de que puedes lograrlo.Come on, cheer up! Don't give up, I'm sure you can achieve it.
- Me levanto temprano porque tengo muchas ganas de empezar el día con energía.I wake up early because I'm highly motivated to start the day energetically.
- Necesito un poco de empuje para salir a correr todos los días.I need some motivation to go running every day.
- Tienes que mantener la ilusión y la pasión por lo que haces para alcanzar la motivación necesaria.You have to maintain the enthusiasm and passion for what you do in order to achieve the necessary motivation.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are discussing their new gym routines.
- LucíaMateo, ¿cuál es tu motivación para ir al gimnasio?Mateo, what is your motivation for going to the gym?
- MateoMi motivación es mejorar mi salud general.My motivation is to improve my general health.
- LucíaEso es muy bueno, yo busco más energía.That is very good, I am looking for more energy.
- Mateo¡Tú también tienes una gran motivación, Lucía!You also have a great motivation, Lucía!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “motivation” translations and entries motivación, motivante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries motivación, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
