Beweggrund
Was war dein Beweggrund für diese Entscheidung?
What was your motive for this decision?
The internal reason, cause, or motivation that prompts someone to act or make a decision.
Er hatte keinen anderen Beweggrund als die Liebe zu seiner Familie.
He had no other motive than love for his family.
Often used in formal contexts to discuss the underlying reasons for actions, especially in legal, ethical, or psychological discussions.
Collocations
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Motive vs. Reason
Use 'Beweggrund' when you want to emphasize the psychological or emotional drive behind an action, not just the logical cause.
Gold Rule
Capitalization
Always capitalize 'Beweggrund' as it is a noun in German.
Word Origin
Compound of 'bewegen' (to move/influence) and 'Grund' (ground/reason). Literally 'the ground that moves [one]'.
Usage Notes
While 'Grund' is the general word for 'reason', 'Beweggrund' specifically emphasizes the internal motivation or driving force behind an action. It is slightly more formal than 'Motiv'.