题

• Pinyin: tí
• Hanzi breakdown: 题 = 是 (is, phonetic) + 页 (page) — simplified from 題; originally related to inscriptions on a page

Meaning

Question; problem; topic. A task to be solved, or the subject of a discussion or exam.

Most commonly encountered in academic contexts: 问题 (question/problem), 题目 (title/topic), 考题 (exam question), 做题 (to do exercises/problems). Can also refer to the topic or subject of writing. Very frequently used in school and study contexts.

Examples

1. 这道题太难了，我不会做。 This question is too difficult, I can't do it.
2. 老师今天出了十道题。 The teacher gave ten questions today.
3. 考试的最后一题我没写完。 I didn't finish the last question on the exam.

Usage Guide

Context: school, exams, homework, academic

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这道题你会做吗？(Do you know how to do this problem?)
• 我们先看第一题。(Let's look at the first question first.)

Don't Say

• 我有一个题要问你 (Don't use 题 alone when asking someone a question in conversation — use 问题; 题 by itself usually refers to written or exam questions)

Origin & History

Originally written as 題, combining 是 (is) and 頁 (page/head). The original meaning was the forehead, then extended to mean inscription, title, and eventually topic or question.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal