主题 — meaning in English: theme

zhǔtí · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for theme

世纪

shìjì

天空

tiānkōng

意向

yìxiàng

诞生

dànshēng

主题

zhǔtí

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers use the word 主题 (zhǔtí) in various contexts such as discussing the main idea of a book, movie, or art piece. For instance, in a classroom, a teacher might ask students to identify the 主题 of a story they read, or in a business meeting, participants may discuss the 主题 of a new marketing campaign.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym for 主题 is 话题 (huàtí), which means 'topic' and is more conversational. While 主题 emphasizes the central concept or theme, 话题 can refer to a broader range of discussions, making 主题 the better choice when focusing on the main idea.

Culture

The term 主题 (zhǔtí) is derived from the characters 主要 (zhǔyào), meaning 'main' or 'primary', and 题 (tí), meaning 'topic' or 'subject'. This reflects a core aspect of Chinese culture, where themes often guide the interpretation of literature and art, emphasizing the importance of understanding the underlying message in various forms of expression.

FAQ

Q.What does 主题 mean in English?

主题 (zhǔtí) translates to 'theme' in English, representing the central idea or topic of a discussion, work of art, or literary piece.

Q.How is 主题 used in a sentence?

You might say, '这个故事的主题是友谊' (zhège gùshì de zhǔtí shì yǒuqí), meaning 'The theme of this story is friendship.'

Q.Are there any common mistakes with the word 主题?

A common mistake is confusing 主题 with 话题 (huàtí). Remember that 主题 refers specifically to the central theme, while 话题 can refer to any topic of discussion.

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