motive

a reason for doing something, especially a strong or important one

motivo, razón, causa

• the motive for sth

Collocations motive for crime · financial motives

• The police are still trying to find the killer's motive.

  La policía sigue intentando encontrar el motivo del asesino.

a strong feeling that makes you want to do something, especially a particular kind of work or activity

impulso, motivación, pasión

• have a motive for sth

Collocations motive to succeed · career motives

• Her love of music was the main motive behind her decision.

  Su amor por la música fue el principal motivo detrás de su decisión.

the style or appearance that a particular artist gives to their work, especially paintings

estilo, motivos artísticos

• a motive for sth

Collocations motive in painting · distinctive motives

• The artist's work is known for its distinctive motive.

  El trabajo del artista es conocido por su estilo distintivo.

a design or pattern used to decorate cloth, wallpaper, etc.

motivos textiles, estampados

• motive for sth

Collocations textile motives · decorative motives

• The fabric has a floral motive.

  El tejido tiene un motivo floral.

a short piece of music that is used as the basis for a longer composition or repeated in it

motivo musical, tema

• motive for sth

Collocations musical motives · repeated motives

• The composer uses a single motive throughout the piece.

  El compositor utiliza un solo motivo a lo largo de la pieza.

a basic need or desire that influences your behavior, especially one of the main ones such as sex or hunger

impulso psicológico, necesidad básica

• motive for sth

Collocations psychological motives · basic human motives

• The psychologist studies the basic motives that drive people.

  El psicólogo estudia los impulsos básicos que motivan a las personas.

a character or event in a story that is used to explain why something happens later in the story

motivo literario, elemento explicativo

• motive for sth

Collocations literary motives · explanatory motives

• The author uses a motive to explain the character's actions later in the novel.

  El autor utiliza un motivo para explicar las acciones del personaje más adelante en la novela.

a reason for playing a sport or competing in an event, such as winning a prize or improving your performance

motivo deportivo, razón para competir

• motive for sth

Collocations sports motives · competitive motives

• The athlete's motive is to win a gold medal.

  El motivo del atleta es ganar una medalla de oro.