Motiv

Q: Is it der, die, or das Motiv?

It is das Motiv. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Motiv is neuter. You should always learn the article together with the noun to ensure your German grammar is correct.

Q: What is the plural of das Motiv?

The plural form of das Motiv is die Motive. In German, regardless of the singular gender, all plural nouns use the definite article “die.”

Q: What does das Motiv mean in English?

The German word das Motiv translates to “motive” in English.

Q: How do you decline das Motiv?

Like all German nouns, Motiv changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are: Nominativ: das Motiv Akkusativ: das Motiv Dativ: dem Motiv Genitiv: des Motivs These changes are necessary because German uses cases to indicate the noun’s role in a sentence (such as the subject or object). Knowing these forms allows you to build grammatically correct sentences.

motive

Plural: die Motive

Strong

Why does the noun Motiv have the article das?

This noun follows no general suffix rule — its gender is part of the core vocabulary you simply learn alongside the word.

Declension table for German noun Motiv

How it changes across the four cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	das Motiv	ein Motiv	kein Motiv
Akkusativ	das Motiv	ein Motiv	kein Motiv
Dativ	dem Motiv	einem Motiv	keinem Motiv
Genitiv	des Motivs	eines Motivs	keines Motivs
Nominativ	die Motive	Motive	keine Motive
Akkusativ	die Motive	Motive	keine Motive
Dativ	den Motiven	Motiven	keinen Motiven
Genitiv	der Motive	Motive	keiner Motive

Examples in context

Real sentences using Motiv in different cases.

Case	Definite	Indefinite	Negative
Nominativ	Das schöne Motiv ist sehr schön.The beautiful motive is very nice.	Ein neues Motiv erscheint plötzlich.A new motive appears suddenly.	Kein klares Motiv ist erkennbar.No clear motive is recognizable.
Akkusativ	Ich sehe das schöne Motiv.I see the beautiful motive.	Er sucht ein neues Motiv.He is looking for a new motive.	Wir finden kein klares Motiv.We find no clear motive.
Dativ	Ich folge dem schönen Motiv.I follow the beautiful motive.	Er arbeitet an einem neuen Motiv.He is working on a new motive.	Ich folge keinem klaren Motiv.I follow no clear motive.
Genitiv	Die Bedeutung des schönen Motivs ist klar.The meaning of the beautiful motive is clear.	Die Herkunft eines neuen Motivs ist unbekannt.The origin of a new motive is unknown.	Die Wirkung keines klaren Motivs ist stark.The effect of no clear motive is strong.
Nominativ	Die interessanten Motive sind interessant.The interesting motives are interesting.	Viele Motive fehlen noch.Many motives are still missing.	Keine alten Motive sind hier.No old motives are here.
Akkusativ	Sie malen die interessanten Motive.They paint the interesting motives.	Ich finde neue Motive überall.I find new motives everywhere.	Ich sehe keine alten Motive.I see no old motives.
Dativ	Er folgt den interessanten Motiven.He follows the interesting motives.	Er arbeitet an vielen Motiven.He is working on many motives.	Ich folge keinen alten Motiven.I follow no old motives.
Genitiv	Die Farben der interessanten Motive sind hell.The colors of the interesting motives are bright.	Die Schönheit vieler Motive ist groß.The beauty of many motives is great.	Die Wirkung keiner alten Motive ist stark.The effect of no old motives is strong.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you might wonder about der, die, das — and the Der Artikel app.

Is it der, die, or das Motiv?

It is das Motiv. In German, every noun has a grammatical gender, and Motiv is neuter. You should always learn the article together with the noun to ensure your German grammar is correct.

What is the plural of das Motiv?

The plural form of das Motiv is die Motive. In German, regardless of the singular gender, all plural nouns use the definite article “die.”

What does das Motiv mean in English?

The German word das Motiv translates to “motive” in English.

How do you decline das Motiv?

Like all German nouns, Motiv changes its article depending on the case. In the singular, the forms are:

Nominativ: das Motiv
Akkusativ: das Motiv
Dativ: dem Motiv
Genitiv: des Motivs

These changes are necessary because German uses cases to indicate the noun’s role in a sentence (such as the subject or object). Knowing these forms allows you to build grammatically correct sentences.