テーマ

てーま

noun

theme, topic

1. theme, topic, subject

The main subject or central idea of a work, discussion, event, or activity.

今回(こんかい)のテーマは環境(かんきょう)問題(もんだい)です。

Today's theme is environmental issues.

この映画(えいが)のテーマは家族(かぞく)の絆(きずな)だ。

The theme of this movie is family bonds.

卒業(そつぎょう)論文(ろんぶん)のテーマがなかなか決(き)まらなくて困(こま)っている。

I'm having trouble deciding on a topic for my graduation thesis.

Etymology

From German "Thema" (theme). The German pronunciation explains why the Japanese is テーマ rather than シーム (from English "theme").

Usage

テーマ is used very widely — for academic topics, artistic themes, discussion subjects, event motifs, and more. テーマパーク (theme park) and テーマ曲(きょく) (theme song) are also common compound words.

Common collocations

テーマを決(き)める: to decide on a theme
テーマ曲(きょく): theme song
テーマパーク: theme park
今月(こんげつ)のテーマ: this month's theme
テーマに沿(そ)う: to be in line with the theme

Related Words

Compare: 話題(わだい) (topic, subject)

Compare: 題材(だいざい) (subject matter)

Related: トピック (topic, subject)

Compare: モチーフ (motif, theme, inspiration)

Compare: 主題(しゅだい) (theme, subject, topic)

Compare: 命題(めいだい) (proposition)

general

Added 2026.2.12 20:47 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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