主题

• Pinyin: zhǔ tí
• Hanzi breakdown: 主 = a flame above a lamp stand, main/primary; 题 = 是 (correct/right) + 页 (page), a title or topic

Meaning

Theme; subject; topic. The central idea or focus of a piece of work, event, or discussion.

Used for the central theme of a novel, film, conference, or website: 主题思想 (central theme/idea), 会议主题 (conference topic), 主题公园 (theme park). Also used in computing: 主题 can refer to a desktop or system theme. Contrast with 话题 (conversational topic) which is more casual.

Examples

1. 这部小说的主题是人与自然之间的冲突与和解。 The theme of this novel is the conflict and reconciliation between humanity and nature.
2. 今年学校运动会的主题是'奋斗与拼搏'。 This year's school sports day theme is 'Effort and Perseverance'.
3. 她换了一个新的电脑桌面主题，整体风格清爽了很多。 She changed to a new desktop theme on her computer, and the overall look feels much fresher.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, arts, workplace

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这次演讲的主题是人工智能对未来工作的影响。(The theme of this talk is the impact of artificial intelligence on future work.)
• 节日活动的主题定为'传承与创新'，很有意义。(The theme of the festival event has been set as 'Inheritance and Innovation' — very meaningful.)

Don't Say

• 把'主题'当作'话题'来用于所有日常对话话题 (Don't use 主题 for every casual conversational topic — 话题 is more natural in everyday conversation; 主题 implies a more formal or deliberate central concept)

Origin & History

From 主 (master/main, a flame above a stand — the central flame) and 题 (title/topic, 是 correct + 页 page), together meaning 'the main point or heading'.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal