tema
/TEH-mah/
topic
When you discuss the central idea of a meeting or conversation, that's the tema or topic.
tema(Noun)
topic
?of a conversation, meeting
,subject
?of a discussion or study
,theme
?of a book, party, or movie
issue
?a matter to be discussed
,matter
?a subject of consideration
📝 In Action
El tema principal de la reunión es el nuevo proyecto.
A2The main topic of the meeting is the new project.
No quiero hablar de ese tema ahora.
A2I don't want to talk about that subject now.
La amistad es un tema central en la novela.
B1Friendship is a central theme in the novel.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Nouns Ending in '-a'
Surprise! Even though 'tema' ends in '-a', it's a masculine word. You always say 'el tema' or 'un tema'. This is common for words that originally came from the Greek language, like 'problema', 'idioma', and 'mapa'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Wrong Gender
Mistake: "Me interesa *la tema* de la película."
Correction: Me interesa *el tema* de la película. Remember, 'tema' is masculine, so it needs 'el', not 'la'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Talking 'About' a Topic
To say you're talking 'about' a topic, you can use either 'de' or 'sobre'. For example, 'hablar del tema' or 'hablar sobre el tema' both mean 'to talk about the topic'.
A single piece of music, like a pop tune, is referred to as a tema or song.
tema(Noun)
song
?a single piece of music
,track
?on an album
theme
?a recurring musical piece in a film
📝 In Action
¿Has escuchado el último tema de este artista?
B1Have you heard this artist's latest song?
Mi tema favorito del álbum es el número tres.
B1My favorite track on the album is number three.
El tema de la película es muy famoso.
B2The theme song of the movie is very famous.
⭐ Usage Tips
'Tema' vs. 'Canción'
In everyday chat about music, 'tema' and 'canción' are often used interchangeably to mean 'song'. 'Tema' can feel a little more modern, especially when talking about tracks on an album.
A chapter or section in a textbook or course is often referred to as a tema or unit.
📝 In Action
Para el examen de mañana, hay que estudiar los tres primeros temas.
B1For tomorrow's exam, you have to study the first three units.
Hoy vamos a empezar un tema nuevo en la clase de historia.
B1Today we are going to start a new lesson in history class.
⭐ Usage Tips
In the Classroom
This meaning is specific to learning. Think of it as a 'chunk' of information in a book or a course. A professor might say, 'El tema 1 es sobre la gramática' (Unit 1 is about grammar).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: tema
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence is correct?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'tema' masculine if it ends in '-a'?
It's a great question! 'Tema' is part of a special group of Spanish words that came from the Greek language. Many of these words end in '-ma' but are masculine. Other common examples are 'el problema' (the problem), 'el sistema' (the system), and 'el idioma' (the language). It's a pattern you can learn to recognize!
What's the difference between 'tema' and 'asunto'?
They are very similar and often interchangeable for 'topic' or 'subject'. 'Tema' often refers to a more defined or central subject of a work, discussion, or study. 'Asunto' can be a bit broader, meaning 'matter' or 'issue', like something you need to take care of ('un asunto personal' - a personal matter).