Meaning
reason, ground
- reason, motive
- motif, pattern
- tune, melody
In a sentence
Non capisco il motivo del tuo ritardo.
I don't understand the reason for your delay.
Hai trovato un motivo per restare qui?
Did you find a reason to stay here?
Questo motivo si sente spesso in quella canzone.
This motif is heard often in that song.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| motivo | masculine · singular |
| motivi | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- Use 'motivo' for reasons behind actions, not 'ragione' (logical justification). 'Ho un motivo per partire' = I have a reason to leave.
- In music, 'motivo' means 'melody' or 'theme'; avoid 'melodia' unless emphasizing lyrical quality.
- Common mistake: confusing 'motivo' (reason) with 'motore' (engine). They sound similar but mean different things.