NOUN

Motiv/moˈtiːf/motive; motif; theme

Motiv is a German noun that means motive, motif, or theme. It is pronounced /moˈtiːf/. As a noun it takes the article "das", with the plural form "Motive".

Definitions

1.the reason or drive for an action or behavior(reason, psychology, crime)

a.an inner drive or reason for doing something

Die Polizei kennt das Motiv für das Verbrechen noch nicht.The police still do not know the motive for the crime.

2.a recurring subject, idea, or pattern in works of art(art, literature, music)

a.artistic or literary motif or theme

Blumen sind ein häufiges Motiv in der Malerei.Flowers are a common motif in painting.

Declension

Genderneuter

SingularPlural
Nominativedas Motivdie Motive
Genitivedes Motivsder Motive
Dativedem Motivden Motiven
Accusativedas Motivdie Motive

Frequently asked questions

What does "Motiv" mean in English?
"Motiv" means motive, motif, or theme. It is a German noun.
How do you pronounce "Motiv"?
"Motiv" is pronounced /moˈtiːf/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet.
Is "Motiv" der, die, or das?
"Motiv" is a neuter noun, so it takes the article "das".
What is the plural of "Motiv"?
The plural of "Motiv" is "Motive".
What part of speech is "Motiv"?
"Motiv" is a noun in German.

Related nouns

Learn German faster with Alexandria flashcards

Build your German vocabulary with focused flashcard study in the Alexandria app.