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motivo

motive, reason

noun moh-TEE-boh Less Common
Mind & Emotions Mental States

Origin: From Latin motivus, 'causing motion'.

Also means

motif, theme

Usage Note

Motivo in everyday speech means a reason or cause (¿cuál es el motivo?, what's the reason?). In artistic contexts it means a recurring theme or motif. The phrase por motivos de ('for reasons of') is very common in formal registers. Do not confuse with móvil, which can mean motive in a legal sense or a mobile phone.

Examples

"No conozco el motivo de su renuncia."

Natural Translation

I don't know the reason for his resignation.

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