Motivar

Motivar is a Spanish verb of regular -ar conjugation that means to provide motive or reasons to act, to stimulate interest or willingness, or to stimulate a behavior or attitude. The term derives from Latin motivare, from movēre “to move.” In everyday usage, motivar can refer to encouraging someone, giving incentives, or justifying a decision. The related noun is motivación, and related adjectives include motivador (something that motivates) and motivacional (pertaining to motivation).

In psychology, education, and organizational contexts, motivation refers to the internal processes that energize, direct, and sustain behavior. Motivar, as the action, encompasses both internal factors (intrinsic motivation) and external factors (extrinsic motivation), such as rewards or social encouragement. The phrase motivar una acción or motivar un cambio often implies providing reasons, incentives, or emotional triggers to proceed with a task or adopt a new habit.

Grammar and usage notes: motivar is regular in conjugation. Present indicative forms include motivo, motivas, motiva, motivamos, motiváis, motivan. Other tenses follow standard -ar endings (e.g., motivé, motivaste, motivó, motivamos, motivasteis, motivaron in the preterite). The verb is frequently used with direct objects: motivar a alguien, motivar a un equipo, motivating a squad, or to justify a claim: motivar una decisión.

See also: motivación, incentivar, estimular.