motif

/məʊˈtiːf/ (bre, ipa) · /məʊˈtiːf/ (ame, ipa) · /mō-ˈtēf/ (ame, mw)

motif — noun

  • motifsingular
  • motifsplural

1. A shape, color, or design that appears more than once in a painting, building, f

1.名詞B2
釋義

A shape, color, or design that appears more than once in a painting, building, fabric, or other object, serving as a decorative element.

例句

The walls of the old mosque are covered with floral motifs carved into the stone.

collocation: floral motif

Devika chose a curtain fabric with a butterfly motif for her bedroom.

motif + on/in + noun phrase

同義詞
  • design

    broader term; a design can be a single element or a whole composition

  • pattern

    emphasises the repeated arrangement of elements rather than a single recurring shape

  • figure

    more general; a figure can be any drawn or painted shape, not necessarily repeated

  • decoration

    focuses on the ornamental function rather than the repeated quality

文法句型

motif + of + noun phrase

adjective + motif

motif + on/in + noun phrase

用法筆記

Common in discussions of visual art, architecture, textiles, and interior design. The motif may be a single repeated element or part of a larger pattern made of several different elements.

常見錯誤

❌The wallpaper has a nice motif all over it.
✅The wallpaper has a nice pattern all over it.
💡'pattern' refers to the overall arrangement of repeated elements, while 'motif' refers to a single design element that may be repeated within that arrangement.
❌She wore a dress with a flower motif on it.
✅She wore a dress with a floral print on it.
💡'floral print' is more natural than 'flower motif' for everyday clothing; 'motif' suggests a deliberate design element in art or decoration.

2. An idea, subject, or short musical phrase that appears repeatedly in a book, fil

2.名詞B2
釋義

An idea, subject, or short musical phrase that appears repeatedly in a book, film, play, or piece of music, helping to create a particular mood or convey a message.

例句

The motif of a lost child appears in several chapters of the novel.

motif + of + noun phrase

A simple piano motif runs through the whole film soundtrack and returns at the end.

同義詞
  • theme

    broader and more abstract; a theme is the underlying message, while a motif is a concrete element that helps express it

  • leitmotif

    from German, used especially in music and film criticism; carries a stronger sense of being associated with a particular character or idea

  • subject

    more general; the subject of a work is what it is about, not necessarily a repeated element

  • topic

    similar to subject; refers to what a work discusses, not a repeated structuring element

文法句型

motif + of + noun phrase

adjective + motif

motif + in + noun phrase

用法筆記

Common in literary analysis and music criticism. In literature, a motif differs from a theme: a motif is a concrete recurring element (like an image, object, or phrase) that helps build the broader abstract theme. The same distinction applies in music, where a short melodic motif can be developed into a larger theme.

常見錯誤

❌The theme of the novel is the search for identity.' (when the speaker means 'motif')
✅One motif in the novel is the recurring image of a locked door.
💡a 'theme' is an abstract message (e.g. identity), while a 'motif' is a concrete element that repeats to support that theme.
❌The story has a motif about friendship.
✅Friendship is a theme of the story; the repeated image of two trees growing together is a motif.
💡'motif' refers to a specific repeated element, not a general topic.