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drive
The strong desire or impulse to be active, take action, and get things done.
Nach dem Urlaub war sie voller Tatendrang und startete sofort neue Projekte.
After the vacation, she was full of drive and immediately started new projects.
'Tatendrang' is a compound noun made from 'die Tat' (deed; plural: Taten) and 'der Drang' (urge/drive). It literally means an 'urge to do deeds,' that is, the strong desire to become active.
Ihr Tatendrang war so groß, dass sie sofort mit der Gartenarbeit begann.
Her drive was so great that she immediately began gardening.
This noun is often used in fixed expressions. Typical ones are 'voller Tatendrang sein' (to be full of drive), 'Tatendrang haben' (to have drive), or 'Tatendrang verspüren' (to feel a drive to do something).
Am Montagmorgen sind viele Mitarbeiter voller Tatendrang.
On Monday mornings, many employees are full of drive.
'Tatendrang' (drive) is an abstract noun and is used almost exclusively in the singular. A plural form practically does not exist in everyday usage.
Sein Tatendrang schien grenzenlos zu sein.
His drive seemed to be limitless.
drive
'der Antrieb' and 'der Tatendrang' both describe an inner force that makes someone become active. 'der Antrieb' is more general and can be calm or strong: someone has a reason or motivation to do something. 'der Tatendrang' sounds stronger and more lively. It means the desire to do something right away and be active. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with motivation. 'Antrieb' fits many goals and tasks, while 'Tatendrang' is especially used when there is lots of energy and eagerness to act.
Am Abend ist Frau Schmidt noch voller Tatendrang und räumt den ganzen Keller auf.
In the evening, Ms. Schmidt is still full of energy and cleans out the entire basement.
Die Nachricht gibt ihm neuen Antrieb, sich für den Umweltschutz einzusetzen.
The news gives him new drive to get involved in environmental protection.