motivation
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motivation
The inner drive, reasons, or incentive that leads a person to work toward a specific goal or carry out an action.
Nach dem langen Urlaub fehlte ihm die Motivation, wieder mit der Arbeit anzufangen.
After the long vacation, he lacked the motivation to start working again.
The noun 'die Motivation' (motivation) belongs to a word family. The related verb is 'motivieren' (to motivate), and the adjective is 'motiviert' (motivated). If you learn these three words together, you can use the concept more flexibly.
Ein guter Chef kann seine Mitarbeiter motivieren.
A good boss can motivate his employees.
'Motivation' is often used with the preposition 'für' (for) and a noun in the accusative. Alternatively, an action can be added with 'zu' and the infinitive.
Ihm fehlt die Motivation für den Sport.
He lacks the motivation for sports.
In everyday language, 'Motivation' is often combined with certain verbs and adjectives. Typical examples are 'Motivation haben/finden/verlieren' (to have/find/lose motivation) as well as 'hohe/geringe/fehlende Motivation' (high/low/lacking motivation).
Nach der langen Pause muss ich meine Motivation erst wiederfinden.
After the long break, I first have to find my motivation again.
The meaning 'Begründung' (justification/reasoning) is found almost exclusively in administrative and specialist language, especially in legal or official documents. In everyday language, the word is almost never used this way.
Der abgelehnte Antrag enthielt keine ausreichende Motivation.
The rejected application did not contain sufficient reasoning.
justification / founding
'die Begründung' and 'die Motivation' can both have to do with reasons for an action. 'Begründung' is usually an explanation given outwardly: you say why a decision is right or why you did something. In everyday language, 'Motivation' more often means a person's inner drive, that is, why they want to achieve something. In formal texts, 'Motivation' can also mean a presentation of reasons, so it can be confusing. In normal German, however, the distinction is often clear: 'die Begründung' explains a decision, while 'die Motivation' drives a person to act.
Nach dem ersten Erfolg hat Lena wieder mehr Motivation zum Lernen.
After her first success, Lena has more motivation to study again.
Die Begründung für die Absage steht in der E-Mail.
The reason for the cancellation is in the email.