na-adjective
spontaneous; intrinsic; voluntary
Describes motivation, change, or development that originates from within a person, system, or entity, rather than being imposed externally. Often contrasted with 外発的 (extrinsic, externally driven).
Antonyms: 外発的
彼の内発的なやる気が成功につながった。
His intrinsic motivation led to success.
内発的発展を重視する地域政策が注目されている。
Regional policies that emphasize endogenous development are attracting attention.
自発的 also means 'spontaneous' or 'voluntary', but focuses more on an individual's own initiative, while 内発的 emphasizes the internal origin of motivation or change.
Compound of 内 (inside) + 発 (arise, occur) + 的 (-like, adjectival suffix). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word follows a common pattern for forming adjectival nouns from Sino-Japanese roots.