The word 动机 (dòngjī, "motive" or "motivation") is formed by conceptually combining two ideas: 动 (dòng), which signifies "to move" or "action", and 机 (jī), which represents the "mechanism", "pivotal point", or "underlying principle". Together, they create a compound notion meaning the "moving mechanism" or the "driving principle" behind an action, essentially, the internal cause or reason that sets something into motion.