This is the 246th most frequent Italian word.
motivo
"Motivo" in Italian means "reason," "cause," "motive," or "pattern/design" (in art or decoration).
Motivo is used here to signify 'reason' or 'cause'.
Il motivo della sua scelta è ancora sconosciuto.
The reason for his choice is still unknown.
Motivo refers to 'pattern' or 'design' in this context.
Il tappeto ha un motivo floreale molto elegante.
The carpet has a very elegant floral pattern.
Motivo is again used as 'reason', but in a more abstract emotional sense.