题目

• Pinyin: tí mù
• Hanzi breakdown: 题 = 是 (is) + 页 (page/head), meaning heading or topic; 目 = pictograph of an eye, meaning item

Meaning

Title; topic; subject; exam question. Refers to the heading of an article, the topic of discussion, or a test question.

A versatile word with several related meanings. Can refer to the title of an essay (作文题目), an exam question (考试题目), or a discussion topic. Very common in educational settings.

Examples

1. 这篇文章的题目是什么？ What is the title of this article?
2. 今天考试的题目不太难。 Today's exam questions were not too difficult.
3. 老师给我们出了一道很有意思的题目。 The teacher gave us a very interesting question.

Usage Guide

Context: education, writing, academic

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你的作文题目想好了吗？(Have you decided on the title of your essay?)
• 这道题目我不会做。(I don't know how to do this question.)

Don't Say

• 这本书的题目在第三页。(Don't use 题目 for a specific section or heading within a book — use 标题 for headings. 题目 usually refers to the main title or a test question.)

Origin & History

题 (topic/inscribe) + 目 (eye/item). Originally meant an inscription or heading, extended to mean a topic or question item.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal