Inklingo
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motivo

/moh-TEE-voh/

reason

A large, stylized question mark is brightly illuminated by a strong, focused beam of light coming from above, symbolizing the discovery of an explanation or reason.

The motivo (reason) is the explanation for why something happened.

motivo(noun)

mA1

reason

?

The explanation for an event or action

,

motive

?

The underlying intention or drive for an action

Also:

cause

?

The thing that makes something else happen

,

grounds

?

Formal justification

📝 In Action

¿Cuál fue el motivo de la reunión?

A1

What was the reason for the meeting?

No tengo ningún motivo para mentirte.

A2

I have no motive/reason to lie to you.

Por motivos personales, no puedo asistir.

B1

For personal reasons, I cannot attend.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • razón (reason (often used interchangeably))
  • causa (cause)

Common Collocations

  • sin motivo – without reason / for no reason
  • el motivo principal – the main reason

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'Motivo'

To express 'for this reason' or 'because of', you often use 'por motivo de' or 'a causa de' rather than just 'por' followed by the noun.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing up 'motivo' and 'razón'

Mistake: "They are mostly interchangeable, but 'motivo' often emphasizes the internal drive or circumstance, while 'razón' can also mean logic or sanity."

Correction: You can usually use either, but 'motivo' fits slightly better when talking about the cause of an event or the drive behind an action.

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Contexts

In writing and formal speech, 'motivo' is often preferred over 'razón' when listing causes (e.g., 'por motivos de seguridad').

An easel holds a canvas depicting a large, central, stylized red heart. Smaller, simple decorative elements like tiny stars and leaves are scattered around the heart, emphasizing the heart as the main subject.

The motivo (theme) is the central idea or subject of a piece of art or literature.

motivo(noun)

mB2

theme

?

The central idea in a piece of art or literature

,

motif

?

A recurring design element or musical phrase

Also:

design

?

A recurring pattern

📝 In Action

La sinfonía tiene un motivo melódico que se repite en cada movimiento.

B2

The symphony has a melodic motif that repeats in every movement.

El motivo floral domina el diseño de la tela.

C1

The floral design/motif dominates the fabric pattern.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • patrón (pattern)
  • tema (theme)

Common Collocations

  • motivo recurrente – recurring motif

💡 Grammar Points

Context is Key

When 'motivo' is used in an artistic context, it refers to the core repeating idea or element that ties the work together.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: motivo

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'motivo' in its artistic sense?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

motivar(to motivate) - verb
motivación(motivation) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'motivo' and 'razón'?

They are often interchangeable (both mean 'reason'). However, 'motivo' usually emphasizes the specific circumstance or driving force behind an action (like a specific cause), whereas 'razón' is broader and can also mean logic, rightness, or sanity.

Can 'motivo' be a verb?

No, 'motivo' itself is only a masculine noun. However, the related verb 'motivar' means 'to motivate' or 'to cause'.