The exact spelling appears at position 2,389 in the cited OpenSubtitles-derived Dutch 50k token list. That is a corpus signal, not search volume, CEFR level or proof that the noun sense is equally frequent. Article, forms, glosses, pronunciation and examples are adapted from English Wiktionary via Kaikki under CC BY-SA 4.0. See sources and modifications.
How motief is pronounced
IPA: /moːˈtif/ · Syllables: mo·tief
Say the article and noun together—het motief—before practising the word in a sentence. This keeps grammatical gender attached to the item you retrieve. Regional speech and sentence rhythm can change the surface sound, so use the transcription as a compact reference rather than as a substitute for listening.
What motief means
a motive
Dictionary label: neuter
a motif, a pattern
Dictionary label: neuter
An English gloss identifies a sense, not a one-word substitution that works in every context. Look at the surrounding verb, preposition, number and situation in the Dutch example. When several meanings are listed, practise one meaning at a time and state a concrete context before changing to another sense.
Article, plural and diminutive
| Form | Dutch | Speaking use |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | het motief | Retrieve the article and noun as one chunk. |
| Plural | de motieven | Dutch plural nouns take de; also change the verb and quantity where needed. |
| Diminutive | motiefje | A smaller, familiar or context-specific form; use only when the meaning fits. |
Do not guess the article from the English translation. Learn het motief as a single unit, then contrast it with de motieven. A diminutive normally uses het, but its pragmatic meaning can be neutral, literal, affectionate or dismissive depending on context.
Translated examples with motief
Hij had de gelegenheid, maar geen motief.
He had the opportunity, but no motive.
Dit motief komt acht keer in deze opera.
That motif occurs eight times in this opera.
Deze stof heeft een motief dat bestaat uit vierkantjes.
This fabric has a motif consisting of little squares.
These examples are citation-backed language data. First identify what the noun refers to and which words determine or describe it. Then change only one element—person, quantity, time, place or description—while keeping the article and number consistent. That small variation turns a reference example into active speaking practice without inventing a rule from one sentence.
Four-step speaking drill
- Say het motief three times, then add one adjective or location that fits the first meaning.
- Build a present-tense sentence with a named person, a concrete place and the singular noun.
- Change the message to de motieven. Update the number, determiner and finite verb instead of replacing only the noun ending.
- Ask a follow-up question containing the noun, record the answer, and repeat once with a different detail.
Listen first for meaning and article choice, then for sentence order and pronunciation. Correct the first error that changes the message or blocks the listener. Avoid restarting for every small hesitation: complete the message, note one target, and make the second recording more precise.
Self-check before you continue
- I retrieve het motief as one chunk.
- The singular or plural matches the determiner, quantity and verb.
- The selected meaning fits the situation.
- The sentence includes enough detail for another person to understand the reference.
- I can ask and answer one question with the noun without reading the page.
Questions about motief
What does motief mean?
a motive; a motif, a pattern.
Is it de motief or het motief?
The cited entry uses het motief. Keep the article attached when learning and retrieving the noun.
What is the plural of motief?
The cited plural is motieven. In a full sentence, also check the determiner, quantity and verb.
Use motief in a recorded response
Dutch Speaking Exam Coach adds original speaking tasks, recording and focused AI coaching. One lesson and three assessments are free; a subscription is optional.
Open in the App Store