motif
gb/moʊtˈif/ us/moʊtˈif/
C1
Inglês
~ 9100
motívum, szekvenciamotívum
SUBSTANTIVO
C1
1
motívum
B2
Padrão de uso:
a recurring motif of [something] in [a story/film/etc.]
The recurring motif of broken glass runs throughout the film, signaling the characters’ fractured relationships.
A törött üveg visszatérő motívuma végigvonul a filmen, jelezve a szereplők megtört kapcsolatait.
Water is an important motif in the novel, symbolizing both danger and renewal.
A víz fontos motívum a regényben, egyszerre jelképezi a veszélyt és a megújulást.
The director uses the motif of closed doors to show how trapped the protagonist feels.
In her paintings, the bird motif suggests freedom and escape.
Critics have noted a strong religious motif in his early work.
Exemplos para estudantes
The movie has a strong motif of hope after loss.
A filmben erős motívum a veszteség utáni remény.
The red dress is a motif that we see many times in the film.
A piros ruha olyan motívum, amelyet sokszor látunk a filmben.
Birds are a common motif in this artist’s work.
There is a clear motif of fear in the story.
The rain motif helps create a sad mood.
Erro comum:
Learners often confuse “motif” with “motive.” “Motif” is a repeated idea or image in art or stories. “Motive” is the reason why someone does something. Also, learners sometimes say “motif about” (e.g., *a motif about death*). In natural English, we normally say “a motif of death” or “a motif of [something].”
Significado
recurring idea or image in art
Colocações
recurring motif
|central motif
|main motif
|visual motif
|motif of death
|motif of memory
Sinônimos
theme (Broader and more general; a motif is usually a specific recurring element that supports a larger theme.)
|
recurring image (Highlights that the motif is visual, not abstract.)
|
symbol (Focuses on one object or sign that represents an idea; a motif can be a wider pattern of such symbols.)
Temas
art
|literature
|film
|culture
|arts_entertainment
Definição
An idea, image, or symbol that comes back many times in a story, movie, or artwork and helps show its main message or feeling.
A clearly recognizable idea, image, symbol, or situation that appears repeatedly in a story, film, artwork, or other creative work and helps develop its themes or mood.
SUBSTANTIVO
C1
2
motívum
B2
Padrão de uso:
a [adjective] motif on [something]
The wallpaper features a subtle floral motif in soft blue and grey tones.
A tapétát finom virágmotívum díszíti lágy kék és szürke árnyalatokban.
Many of her dresses use a bold geometric motif inspired by African textiles.
Sok ruháján merész geometrikus motívum jelenik meg, amelyet afrikai textíliák ihlettek.
The architect incorporated a wave motif into the façade of the building.
This carpet’s central motif is a large, stylized flower surrounded by smaller shapes.
The brand is known for its minimalist motif of thin, parallel lines.
Exemplos para estudantes
The curtains have a small flower motif.
A függönyön apró virágmotívum van.
I like the shirt with the bird motif on it.
Tetszik az az ing, amelyen madármotívum van.
The tiles in the bathroom have a blue wave motif.
The designer used a star motif on the bags.
Her ring has a heart motif in the center.
Erro comum:
Learners may use only “pattern” and not realize “motif” is more specific and often more artistic. Another mistake is saying *motif painting* when they mean *a painting with a flower motif*; “motif” usually needs a noun it describes (motif on/in something).
Significado
repeating decorative design or pattern
Colocações
floral motif
|geometric motif
|traditional motif
|decorative motif
|design motif
|abstract motif
Sinônimos
pattern (More general and common; can describe any repeated design, not just a stylized or thematic one.)
|
design (Very broad; does not always mean repetition, while a motif usually repeats.)
Antônimos
plain (Describes a surface without any pattern or decorative motif.)
Temas
art
|design
|fashion
|arts_entertainment
Definição
A design or picture that repeats again and again on clothes, walls, or other things to make them look nice.
A repeated decorative design or pattern used in textiles, architecture, graphics, or other visual design.
SUBSTANTIVO
C1
TECHNICAL
3
motívum
C1
Padrão de uso:
a [adjective] motif in [a piece/song]
The symphony’s first four notes form a famous motif that recurs throughout the entire work.
A szimfónia első négy hangja egy híres motívumot alkot, amely az egész műben újra megjelenik.
The composer builds the whole piece from a simple rhythmic motif in the strings.
A zeneszerző egy egyszerű, vonósoknál megszólaló ritmikai motívumból építi fel az egész darabot.
Listen for the horn motif that signals the arrival of the hero.
In this film score, the villain has a dark, chromatic motif.
The piano introduces a gentle motif that the orchestra later expands.
Exemplos para estudantes
The song starts with a short piano motif.
A dal egy rövid zongoramotívummal kezdődik.
You can hear the same motif many times in this symphony.
Ugyanazt a motívumot sokszor lehet hallani ebben a szimfóniában.
The composer changes the motif to make it sound sad.
Each character in the movie has a different musical motif.
The main motif is only three notes long.
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes use “theme” when they mean a very short musical idea. In music theory, a motif is usually shorter and more basic than a theme. Another mistake is spelling it as *motif* but pronouncing it like “motive”; in music, it keeps the French-style ending /-tiːf/.
Significado
short recurring musical idea
Colocações
melodic motif
|rhythmic motif
|opening motif
|recurring motif
|main motif
|motif returns
Sinônimos
musical figure (A more technical music term; often overlaps with “motif” but can be slightly more neutral about repetition.)
|
theme (Often longer and more complete; a motif is usually shorter and more basic than a full theme.)
Antônimos
random notes (Describes unorganized musical sounds without a clear, repeated idea, which contrasts with a structured motif.)
Temas
music
|art
|arts_entertainment
Definição
A short group of notes that comes back again and again in a piece of music.
A short, recognizable musical idea or phrase that is repeated and developed within a piece of music.
SUBSTANTIVO
C2
TECHNICAL
4
Padrão de uso:
a [adjective] motif in [DNA/protein/etc.]
Researchers identified a conserved DNA motif in the promoter region of the gene.
A kutatók a gén promóterrégiójában egy konzervált DNS-motívumot azonosítottak.
This protein contains a zinc-finger motif that enables it to bind to DNA.
Ez a fehérje egy cinkujj-motívumot tartalmaz, amely lehetővé teszi, hogy DNS-hez kötődjön.
The kinase recognizes a specific amino acid motif near the protein’s N-terminus.
Bioinformatic tools were used to search for regulatory motifs across the genome.
A common binding motif is shared by all members of this protein family.
Exemplos para estudantes
The scientist found the same DNA motif in many genes.
A kutató sok génben ugyanazt a DNS-motívumot találta meg.
This protein has a short motif that helps it bind to metal ions.
Ebben a fehérjében van egy rövid motívum, amely segít neki fémionokhoz kötődni.
A sequence motif can show where a protein should start its work.
Many proteins share a similar motif in their structure.
They looked for a known binding motif in the new virus.
Erro comum:
Learners may confuse this technical sense with the artistic sense and try to interpret it as a “theme” or “idea.” In biology, a motif is a literal, short sequence pattern in DNA, RNA, or protein, not a metaphorical theme.
Significado
recurring DNA or protein sequence pattern
Colocações
DNA motif
|sequence motif
|binding motif
|conserved motif
|protein motif
|regulatory motif
Sinônimos
sequence motif (More explicit scientific term; clearly states that the motif is a sequence pattern.)
|
consensus sequence (A related technical term for an idealized sequence pattern; overlaps with but is not identical to “motif.”)
Antônimos
random sequence (Describes a stretch of DNA or protein with no recognizable functional pattern, opposite of a defined motif.)
Temas
science
|biology
|medicine
Definição
A short pattern of letters in DNA, RNA, or protein that appears in many places and usually has an important job, like helping a protein bind to something.
A short, recurring sequence pattern in DNA, RNA, or a protein that is associated with a particular structure or function, such as binding or activity.
Gramática
Forma no dicionário
motif
AFI
GB/moʊtˈif/
US/moʊtˈif/
Sílabas e tonicidade
mo - tif (2 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tif)
Formas da palavra
Noun
- Base: motif
- Plural: motifs
Família de palavras
Forms
motifs
noun
Related words
Advanced or less common
leitmotif
noun
motivic
adjective
Expressões
central motif
1/sˈɛntɹəl moʊtˈif/
fixed phrase
main recurring motif in a work
The most important motif in a story, film, or artwork, which is used to show its main idea or feeling.
Exemplos
- Loneliness is the central motif of the novel, shaping every character’s choices.
- The central motif in the painting is a single burning candle in the dark.
- Critics disagree about what the central motif of the film really is.
recurring motif
1/ɹɪkˈɚɪŋ moʊtˈif/
fixed phrase
motif that appears again and again
A motif (idea, image, or pattern) that comes back many times in the same work.
Exemplos
- The recurring motif of mirrors helps us see how the characters view themselves.
- Red flowers are a recurring motif in the artist’s early paintings.
- In the series, the recurring motif of locked doors shows the characters’ lack of freedom.
visual motif
1/vˈɪʒuəl moʊtˈif/
fixed phrase
repeated visual image or design
A picture, design, or image that you see many times in a film, artwork, or design and that has a special meaning or style.
Exemplos
- The director uses a visual motif of circles to suggest repetition and routine.
- Rain is a visual motif throughout the series, often appearing in moments of crisis.
- The exhibition explores how artists use the visual motif of the eye to talk about power and control.