engine / motor
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engine / motor
A machine that converts a form of energy, such as fuel or electricity, into mechanical motion in order to power a vehicle or device.
Der Motor des Autos macht seit gestern seltsame Geräusche.
The car's engine has been making strange noises since yesterday.
driving force
A person or thing that drives forward a development, project, or group; the driving force.
Die neue Geschäftsführerin ist der Motor für den Wandel im Unternehmen.
The new managing director is the driving force behind change in the company.
'Motor' (engine / motor) is a very productive base word for many technical terms. If you see a word ending in '-motor', it is usually about a specific type of drive or engine, e.g. 'Elektromotor' (electric motor) or 'Dieselmotor' (diesel engine).
Viele moderne Autos haben einen Elektromotor.
Many modern cars have an electric motor.
In the technical sense, 'Motor' (engine / motor) is often used with certain verbs: a motor 'läuft' (runs) or 'stottert' (sputters), you can 'starten' (start) or 'abstellen' (switch off) it, and it can 'anspringen' (start up).
Bei der Kälte wollte der Motor einfach nicht anspringen.
In the cold, the engine simply wouldn't start.
You can recognize the figurative meaning 'treibende Kraft' (driving force) from the fact that it is not about a machine. Often a person or an abstract idea is described as the 'Motor für' (driving force behind) a development or the 'Motor eines' (driving force of) a project.
Innovation ist der Motor für wirtschaftliches Wachstum.
Innovation is the driving force behind economic growth.
drive
Both words can refer to the technical system that moves a machine or vehicle. The Motor is the machine that converts energy into motion; the Antrieb encompasses the technical device or the system as a whole. Use Motor for an individual component and Antrieb for the overall system.
Der Elektromotor wandelt die Energie in Bewegung um und treibt das Fahrzeug an.
The electric motor converts energy into motion and drives the vehicle.
Der elektrische Antrieb des Fahrzeugs umfasst mehrere technische Teile.
The vehicle's electric drive system includes several technical components.
