モチーフ

also: モティーフ

モ

チ

ー

フ

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

Used in art, music, literature, and design for a recurring theme, pattern, or element. A common loanword in Japanese.

from French

あらわ

れる

。

The motif of this piece appears in the piano melody at the beginning.

彼かの女じょの作さく品ひんには、自し然ぜんをモチーフにしたデザインが多おおい。

Many of her works feature designs based on nature motifs.

〈物もの〉をモチーフにするto use ~ as a motif (for a work)
この絵えは桜さくらの花はなをモチーフにしている。
This painting uses cherry blossoms as its motif.
〈物もの〉をモチーフにした〈物もの〉a work/item designed around ~ as its motif
海うみをモチーフにしたアクセサリーが人にん気きだ。
Accessories designed around an ocean motif are popular.

テーマN3
テーマ is the broader overall theme or subject of a work, while モチーフ is a concrete recurring element or pattern within it.
パターンN2
パターン refers to a general repeated pattern or design, whereas モチーフ implies an artistic or symbolic recurring element.
動どう機きN2
モチーフ is a loanword used almost exclusively for artistic or literary motifs, while 動機 covers the same meaning but also extends to psychological motives.
題だい材ざい
モチーフ is a borrowed art term for a recurring motif or inspiration behind a work, while 題材 is the everyday word for the subject matter itself.

モチーフUsage91%
Standard katakana spelling from French 'motif'.
モティーフUsage9%
Alternate katakana spelling closer to the French pronunciation; less common than モチーフ.

Borrowed from French 'motif', meaning a recurring theme or element in art, music, or literature.