leit·mo·tif
noun/ˈlaɪtməʊtiːf/
/ˈlaɪtməʊtiːf/
(also leitmotiv)
(from German)- (music) a short tune in a piece of music that is often repeated and is connected with a particular person, thing or idea
（音乐的）主旋律，主导主题 - an idea or a phrase that is repeated often in a book or work of art, or is typical of a particular person or group
（书、艺术品等的）中心思想，主题，主旨
Word Originlate 19th cent.: from German Leitmotiv, from leit- ‘leading’ (from leiten ‘to lead’) + Motiv ‘motive’.