B1🔤 Letters M & N
Italian word
motivo
reason, motive; musical motif; decorative pattern
Looks like
motive / motif
a reason for action; a recurring musical theme
⚠️ The trap
Italian 'motivo' covers English 'motive', 'motif', AND 'reason' all in one word. Learners often underuse it, reaching for 'ragione' when 'motivo' would be more natural.
To say "a reason for action; a recurring musical theme" in Italian:
N/A — overlapping
"motivo" in English means:
reason, motive; musical motif; decorative pattern
Example
"Non capisco il motivo del tuo comportamento."
"I don't understand the reason for your behaviour."
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