Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| テーマ | tēma | [te̞ːma̠] (narrow) |
| 主題 | shudai | [ɕɨda̠i] (narrow) |
| 話題 | wadai | [β̞a̠da̠i] (narrow) |
The term 'theme' in Japanese can refer to the subject of a talk, an artistic piece or the central concept of an event or location. While テーマ is a versatile loanword used for many contexts, including the concept of a 'theme park' (テーマパーク), other terms like 主題 and 話題 have more specific applications.
Which one should you use?
テーマ is a common loanword used for artistic themes as well as general concepts like the theme of an event or a place. In contrast, 主題 is used to refer to the central, formal theme of a literary work, an academic paper or a piece of music. The term 話題 is often used to mean the topic or subject of conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term 主題 combines with the word for song, 歌, to form the compound 主題歌, which means 'theme song'. You can also use the phrase 作品のテーマ to express the theme of a specific literary work.
How do you pronounce it?
tēma
Did you know?
- While テーマ sounds like an English loanword, it actually entered Japanese via the German word 'Thema' in the early 20th century.
- In Japanese, you can use 話題 to describe a person. If a person is 'the talk of the town' or a popular subject of gossip, you can say that person is 話題 of the moment.
- While テーマ is versatile, it lacks the academic weight of 主題. If you are writing a formal university thesis, using テーマ to describe your central subject might strike a professor as too vague or casual.
Examples in context
- その主題歌が好きなの。I like the theme song.This sentence uses 主題 to refer to a theme song.Tatoeba #9700935 by small_snow, translation #6971487 by Eccles17
- この曲って、アニメの主題歌なの？Is this an anime theme song?This sentence uses 主題 to refer to an anime theme song.Tatoeba #9422961 by small_snow, translation #9423006 by DJ_Saidez
- テーマパークは先月閉鎖されました。The theme park was closed down last month.This sentence uses テーマ in the context of a theme park.Tatoeba #5955865 by tatoebane, translation #327086 by CK
- 日本の文学のテーマは時代と伝統です。The theme of Japanese literature is time and tradition.
- この小説のテーマは愛と犠牲です。The theme of this novel is love and sacrifice.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are discussing a school project.
- 健太 Kenta美咲、レポートのテーマは決まった？Misaki, repōto no tēma wa kimatta?Misaki, have you decided on a theme for your report?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、環境問題にするよ。Un, kankyō mondai ni suru yo.Yeah, I'm going to do it on environmental issues.
- 健太 Kentaそれはすごく良いテーマだね。Sore wa sugoku ii tēma dane.That is a very good theme.
- 美咲 Misaki健太君のテーマは何なの？Kenta-kun no tēma wa nan nano?What is your theme, Kenta?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “theme” translations and entries テーマ, 主題, 話題, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries テーマ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
