motto
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motto
A short phrase, guiding idea, or slogan that serves as a guideline for an event, an organization, or one's own actions.
Das Motto der diesjährigen Konferenz lautet „Zukunft gemeinsam gestalten“.
The motto of this year's conference is 'Shaping the future together.'
A very common and useful formulation for giving a motto is the fixed expression 'Das Motto lautet: ...' (The motto is: ...). The verb 'lauten' is used here specifically for reproducing texts or, in this case, mottos.
Das Motto des Festivals lautet: „Musik verbindet“.
The motto of the festival is: 'Music connects.'
Common verbs with 'Motto' (motto) are 'ein Motto haben' (to have a motto) or 'ein Motto wählen' (to choose a motto). An event can also 'unter einem Motto stehen' (have/be held under a motto).
Die Feier stand unter dem Motto „Die wilden 20er Jahre“.
The celebration had the motto 'The Roaring Twenties.'
'Motto' is often used as the first part of compound nouns to describe a themed event. Typical examples are 'die Mottoparty' (theme party) or 'die Mottowoche' (theme week).
Zum Geburtstag organisiere ich eine Mottoparty im Stil der 80er Jahre.
For my birthday, I'm organizing an '80s-style theme party.
saying / remark / ruling
'das Motto' and 'der Spruch' are both often short, memorable sentences. However, a motto gives a direction or idea, for example for a celebration, a group, or one's own actions. A 'Spruch' can be a piece of life wisdom, a funny sentence, or even a cheeky remark. So not every 'Spruch' is a motto. Learners may confuse the words because a motto can be phrased like a 'Spruch'. If the sentence serves as a guiding idea, you are more likely to say 'Motto'.
Das Motto der Projektwoche lautet: Weniger Müll, mehr Zukunft.
The motto of the project week is: Less waste, more future.
Auf der Karte stand ein lustiger Spruch zum Geburtstag.
There was a funny saying for the birthday on the card.