motive
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motive
The inner, personal reason or motive that prompts a person to take a particular action. It is often a deeper underlying cause than a simple reason.
Die Polizei konnte den wahren Beweggrund des Täters nicht ermitteln.
The police could not determine the perpetrator's true motive.
'Beweggrund' (motive) is made up of 'bewegen' (to move) and 'Grund' (reason). So it is literally the reason that moves a person to do something.
Sein Hauptbeweggrund war die Sorge um seine Familie.
His main motive was concern for his family.
This word is often used in formal or official contexts, for example by the police, in court, or in psychology. It describes a deeper, often hidden motive.
In der Gerichtsverhandlung wurden die Beweggründe des Angeklagten diskutiert.
During the court hearing, the defendant's motives were discussed.
Common verbs are 'die Beweggründe ermitteln' (to determine the motives), 'nennen' (to state/name), or 'verstehen' (to understand). People also often ask about the 'wahren' (true) or 'persönlichen' (personal) motives.
Die Journalistin versuchte, die wahren Beweggründe für seine Entscheidung herauszufinden.
The journalist tried to find out the true motives behind his decision.
To indicate the purpose or goal of the action, the preposition 'für' (for) is used. You have a 'Beweggrund für eine Tat' (motive for an act).
Was war ihr Beweggrund für den plötzlichen Umzug?
What was her motive for the sudden move?
reason / ground
Grund can generally explain why someone acts and can also name an objective circumstance. Beweggrund specifically refers to the inner, personal motivation and often suggests something deeper. Grund is suitable for practical causes, while Beweggrund is more precise for personal motivation.
Ihr wichtigster Beweggrund für die Spende war ihr Mitgefühl mit den Betroffenen.
Her main motive for the donation was her compassion for those affected.
Ein praktischer Grund für ihre Spende war die einfache Überweisung.
A practical reason for her donation was that the transfer was easy to make.
