motivieren
Translation
to motivate, to encourage
Examples
Der Trainer motiviert die Mannschaft.
The coach motivates the team.
Was motiviert dich zu dieser Arbeit?
What motivates you to do this work?
Er konnte sich nicht zum Lernen motivieren.
He couldn't motivate himself to study.
Grammar Patterns
((j-n)) to motivate (sb.) Success motivates him.
((j-n)) ((zu+3)) to motivate (sb.) (to do sth.) I motivate you to do sports.
sich ((zu+3)) to motivate oneself (to do sth.) He can't motivate himself to clean up.
Similar Words
Synonyms: anspornen (to spur on), ermutigen (to encourage)
Etymology
From French 'motiver', from Latin 'movere' (to move). Cognate with English 'motivate'.
Memory Tips
It looks and sounds very similar to the English verb 'to motivate', making it easy to remember.