Verb

motivieren

Translation

to motivate, to encourage, to inspire

Der Trainer motivierte das Team.

The coach motivated the team.

Er motiviert seine Mitarbeiter mit Prämien.

He motivates his employees with bonuses.

Was motiviert dich, so hart zu arbeiten?

What motivates you to work so hard?

((j-n)) ((zu+3)) to motivate (sb.) (to do sth.) The teacher motivates the students to learn.

((j-n)) to motivate (sb.) Money motivates him a lot.

anspornen (to spur on), anregen (to stimulate), ermutigen (to encourage)

Derived from 'Motiv' (motive) and the verb suffix '-ieren'. Literally 'to give a motive'.

It's a direct cognate of the English 'to motivate'. Think of giving someone a 'motive' to do something.