motive
Loading your saved state.
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
'der Grund' and 'der Beweggrund' both explain why something happens or why someone does something. 'der Grund' is the normal and very general word. It can be about people, events, or situations. 'der Beweggrund' is more suitable when it is about a personal motive behind an action. It sounds a little deeper and asks more about a person's inner drive. In everyday language, 'Grund' is often enough; 'Beweggrund' is more precise when you want to understand what really led someone to do something.
Der Beweggrund für ihre Entscheidung war der Wunsch nach mehr Freiheit.
The motive for her decision was the desire for more freedom.
Aus diesem Grund komme ich heute etwas später zur Arbeit.
For this reason, I’m coming to work a little later today.