reef / riff
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reef
A rock or sandbank in the sea that reaches close to the surface of the water. Coral reefs, which are formed by marine organisms, are especially well known.
Beim Tauchen am Great Barrier Reef sahen wir viele bunte Fische und Korallen.
While diving at the Great Barrier Reef, we saw many colorful fish and corals.
You can always tell from context whether 'Riff' means a reef in the sea or a riff in music. Words like 'Meer' (sea), 'tauchen' (to dive), 'Schiff' (ship), or 'Koralle' (coral) point to the rock formation (m01). Words like 'Gitarre' (guitar), 'Song' (song), 'Band' (band), or 'spielen' (to play) point to the musical phrase (m02).
Vorsicht, das Schiff nähert sich einem unsichtbaren Riff!
Careful, the ship is approaching an invisible reef!
In a maritime context, people often speak of a 'Korallenriff' (coral reef) or a 'Felsenriff' (rocky reef). A danger for ships is 'auf ein Riff auflaufen' (to run aground on a reef).
Das Schiff ist bei Nacht auf ein Riff aufgelaufen und gesunken.
The ship ran aground on a reef at night and sank.
A musical riff is often a 'Gitarren-Riff' (guitar riff) or 'Bass-Riff' (bass riff). It can be 'eingängig' (catchy), 'markant' (distinctive), or 'berühmt' (famous), and is 'gespielt' (played) by a musician.
Dieser Song hat eines der berühmtesten Gitarren-Riffs der Rockgeschichte.
This song has one of the most famous guitar riffs in rock history.
motive / motif
'das Motiv' and 'das Riff' can both refer to something short and recurring in music. 'Motiv' is more general and fits many styles of music: it is a musical idea that can reappear. 'Riff' is more specific and sounds especially typical of rock, jazz, or pop. It usually means a short, striking phrase, often on guitar or bass. Learners may confuse the words because both refer to repeated musical parts. If you are talking generally about a musical idea, use 'Motiv'. If you are thinking of a distinctive guitar or bass figure, 'Riff' is more natural.
Nach dem ersten Takt erkennt man sofort das berühmte Gitarrenriff.
After the first measure, you immediately recognize the famous guitar riff.
Das ruhige Motiv am Anfang kehrt am Ende des Stücks noch einmal zurück.
The calm motif at the beginning returns once more at the end of the piece.