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motivo

moh-TEE-voh/moˈtiβo/

reason, motive

Also: cause, grounds
NounmA1
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.

📝 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

theme, motif

Also: design
NounmB2
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.

📝 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

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "motivo" in Spanish:

cause→design→grounds→motif→motive→reason→theme→

✏️ 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
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Medieval Latin *motivus*, meaning 'moving' or 'that which causes motion.' This relates directly to the idea of a reason or cause that 'moves' a person to act or an event to occur.

First recorded: 15th century (Spanish)

Cognates (Related words)

English: motiveItalian: motivo

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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'.