Korean Dictionary
How to say "Motivated" in Korean
“Motivated” in Korean is 의욕이 넘치다 (pronounced "Uiyogi neomchida").
의욕이 넘치다
Uiyogi neomchida
Usage & Context
Describes high drive and willingness to accomplish goals. Frequently used in educational and professional settings. 의욕 (motivation/drive) is a key concept in Korean work ethic. 의욕이 없다 (lacking motivation) is a common complaint.
Example Sentence
새 프로젝트를 시작하니까 의욕이 넘쳐요!
Starting the new project, I'm overflowing with motivation!
How to use 의욕이 넘치다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Motivated” is 의욕이 넘치다, romanized as Uiyogi neomchida.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 의욕이 넘치다.
Pronunciation Guide
의 (ui) can be tricky; here it's often pronounced like 'ee' in 'see'. 욕 (yok) sounds like 'yoke'. 이 (i) is like 'ee' in 'see'. 넘 (neom) is like 'num' in 'number' but with a slightly more open 'o'. 치 (chi) is like 'chee' in 'cheese'. 다 (da) is like 'da' in 'dad'. The phrase flows with '의욕이' as one unit.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
의욕이 넘칩니다
Uiyogi neomchimnida
Formal declarative form, used in very polite or official contexts.
Casual (반말)
의욕이 넘쳐
Uiyogi neomcheo
Casual declarative form, used with close friends or subordinates.
More Example Sentences
Feeling highly motivated at the beginning of a new career chapter.
새로운 직장을 시작하니 의욕이 넘쳐서 좋아요.
Starting a new job, I'm overflowing with motivation, which is great.
Regaining motivation after a period of rest or recovery.
푹 쉬고 나니 다시 의욕이 넘쳐서 뭐든 할 수 있을 것 같아요.
After a good rest, I'm overflowing with motivation again and feel like I can do anything.
Describing a team with high collective drive and enthusiasm.
이번 프로젝트는 정말 의욕이 넘치는 팀원들과 함께하고 있어요.
I'm working on this project with truly motivated team members.
Cultural Context
'의욕' (motivation/drive) is a crucial concept in Korean work and academic culture, where strong drive and a proactive attitude are highly valued. Conversely, '의욕이 없다' (lacking motivation) is a common complaint, especially among students or employees facing burnout. The phrase '의욕이 넘치다' conveys a powerful, almost overflowing sense of readiness and enthusiasm, often associated with a 'fighting spirit' (파이팅) to overcome challenges.
Editorial note
We review entries like 의욕이 넘치다 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
의욕을 불태우다
to burn with motivation/enthusiasm
의욕 상실
loss of motivation
의욕이 샘솟다
motivation wells up/springs forth
Related Expressions
의욕
uiyok
motivation, drive (noun)
의욕이 없다
uiyogi eopda
to lack motivation (antonym)
열정이 넘치다
yeoljeongi neomchida
to overflow with passion
힘이 나다
himi nada
to feel energized, to gain strength
More Emotions Words
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