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B1 noun #2,000 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

テーマ

teema
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces テーマ en 30 secondes
Explication テーマ in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'テーマ' is introduced as a simple Katakana word that learners can recognize from its English/German roots. It is primarily used to ask about the 'topic' of a lesson or a simple event. Learners should focus on the basic sentence structure: 'Theme wa [Noun] desu.' For example, 'Kyō no tēma wa kazoku desu' (Today's theme is family). At this stage, the word is a helpful tool for understanding the focus of classroom activities without needing complex Japanese vocabulary. It's one of those 'friendly' words that builds confidence because it sounds familiar.
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At the A2 level, learners begin to use 'テーマ' in slightly more descriptive sentences. They learn to use the particle 'no' to connect it to other nouns, such as 'tesuto no tēma' (the theme of the test) or 'pātī no tēma' (the theme of the party). A2 learners should also be able to understand simple questions like 'Donna tēma ga suki desu ka?' (What kind of themes do you like?). The focus is on using the word to categorize interests and simple projects. They also start to encounter 'tēma pāku' (theme park) as a common compound noun.
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At the B1 level (the target level for this word), learners must master the nuance of 'テーマ' as a central concept in creative and academic work. They should be able to use the pattern '[Noun] o tēma ni shite...' (taking [Noun] as a theme...) to describe books, movies, or their own presentations. This level requires distinguishing 'テーマ' from 'wadai' (casual topic). B1 learners are expected to use 'テーマ' in the context of 'deciding' (kimeru) or 'changing' (kaeru) the focus of a discussion. It becomes a key word for organizing thoughts in intermediate-level speech and writing.
At the B2 level, 'テーマ' is used in more abstract and professional contexts. Learners should be comfortable discussing 'research themes' (kenkyū tēma) and 'social themes' (shakai-teki na tēma). They start to use verbs like 'shiboru' (narrow down) or 'horisageru' (delve deeper) in conjunction with 'テーマ'. B2 learners also recognize the word in editorial contexts, such as the 'unifying theme' of an essay or a marketing strategy. The focus shifts from simple identification to critical analysis of how a theme is developed throughout a piece of work.
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At the C1 level, the learner understands the philosophical and structural implications of 'テーマ'. They can discuss how a 'tēma' interacts with 'mochīfu' (motifs) and 'shudai' (main subjects) in literature and art. C1 learners use 'テーマ' to describe complex, multi-layered concepts in business strategy or academic discourse. They can identify when a 'tēma' is 'bureru' (inconsistent) and provide sophisticated critiques. The word is no longer just a label; it is a tool for high-level conceptualization and abstract thought in Japanese.
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At the C2 level, 'テーマ' is used with native-like precision, often in highly specialized fields like literary criticism, philosophy, or high-level corporate branding. The learner can discuss the historical evolution of 'tēma' in Japanese thought and its linguistic journey from German. They can use the word to articulate the 'raison d'être' of a project or the existential 'tēma' of a person's life. At this level, the distinction between 'テーマ', '主題', and '命題' (proposition) is handled with absolute clarity, even in spontaneous, high-pressure intellectual debates.
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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

テーマ en 30 secondes

  • A versatile Katakana word for 'theme' or 'topic'.
  • Essential for academic, business, and creative contexts.
  • Derived from German, giving it a structured, formal feel.
  • Commonly used in compounds like 'theme park' or 'theme song'.

The Japanese word テーマ (tēma) is a loanword derived from the German word Thema. While it is often translated as "theme," its application in Japanese is remarkably broad, covering concepts that in English might be distinguished as "topic," "subject," "motif," "thesis," or even "concept." At its core, it refers to the central idea, subject matter, or unifying principle of a creative work, a discussion, a research project, or an event. Understanding tēma is essential for navigating Japanese academic, professional, and creative environments because it serves as the foundational anchor for any structured communication.

Creative Context
In literature, film, or art, it refers to the underlying message or recurring motif, such as 'love,' 'war,' or 'identity.'
Academic Context
It denotes the specific research topic or the central question of a thesis (論文のテーマ).
Business/Event Context
It refers to the 'concept' or 'slogan' of a project or a marketing campaign.

「この映画のメインテーマは、家族の絆です。」
(The main theme of this movie is family bonds.)

Historically, the adoption of the German Thema rather than the English theme reflects the influence of German academia on Japan during the Meiji era, particularly in philosophy and science. This gives the word a slightly more formal or structural nuance than the English equivalent might have in casual conversation, although today it is used ubiquitously across all registers of speech.

「研究のテーマを決めるのに三ヶ月かかった。」
(It took three months to decide on the research theme/topic.)

In the realm of music, tēma refers to the melody or the 'theme song' (テーマソング). In urban planning or architecture, it might refer to the 'theme' of a park or a building complex (テーマパーク). This versatility makes it one of the most useful Katakana words to master. It acts as a bridge between the abstract idea and the concrete execution of a project.

「今回のパーティーのテーマは『昭和レトロ』です。」
(The theme for this party is 'Showa Retro'.)

「議論のテーマから外れないようにしてください。」
(Please make sure not to stray from the theme/topic of the discussion.)

「彼は一生のテーマとして環境問題に取り組んでいる。」
(He is working on environmental issues as his life's theme/mission.)

Structural Role
It defines the boundaries of what is being discussed or created.
Subjective Nature
It often reflects the intent or philosophy of the creator or speaker.

Using テーマ correctly involves understanding its grammatical placement and the common verbs it pairs with. As a noun, it most frequently appears in the structure [Noun] + の + テーマ or テーマ + は + [Noun] + です. However, to sound natural, you must learn the specific collocations used in professional and academic settings.

テーマを決める (Tema o kimeru)
To decide on a theme or topic. This is the most common starting point for any project.
テーマを絞る (Tema o shiboru)
To narrow down a theme. Essential for research or focused discussions.
テーマに沿って (Tema ni sotte)
Along the lines of the theme; following the theme.

When you want to say something is 'themed' around a certain concept, you use the phrase [Concept] をテーマにした [Noun]. For example, 'a movie themed around friendship' becomes '友情をテーマにした映画'. This is a very common B1-level grammar pattern that elevates your Japanese from simple descriptions to more complex relational explanations.

「この小説は、戦争の悲劇をテーマにしています。」
(This novel takes the tragedy of war as its theme.)

In academic writing, you will often see 主題 (shudai) used interchangeably with tēma, but tēma remains the preferred choice for the 'title' or 'subject' of a specific assignment. If a teacher asks, "今日のテーマは何ですか？" they are asking what the lesson's focus is. If a boss asks for the "企画のテーマ" (kikaku no tēma), they want to know the core concept of the proposal.

Another important usage is in the context of 'Theme Parks' (テーマパーク). In Japan, this refers specifically to parks like Tokyo Disneyland or Universal Studios Japan, where every element is unified under a specific narrative or world-building concept. This highlights the 'unifying' aspect of the word tēma.

「自由をテーマにスピーチを書いてください。」
(Please write a speech with 'freedom' as the theme.)

テーマを掘り下げる
To delve deeper into a theme (Horisageru).
テーマがぶれる
The theme becomes inconsistent or loses focus (Bureru).

You will encounter テーマ in almost every facet of Japanese life, from the classroom to the boardroom, and from television broadcasts to casual social media posts. Its versatility is its greatest strength. In the media, it is frequently used to describe the focus of a documentary or the 'theme song' of a popular drama series.

Television & News
Announcers often start segments by saying, "今日のテーマは..." (Today's theme/topic is...).
Schools & Universities
Students are constantly asked to choose a 'research theme' (研究テーマ) for their graduation thesis.
Pop Culture
Anime fans discuss the 'opening theme' (オープニングテーマ) or the 'ending theme' (エンディングテーマ).

In a business setting, tēma is used to define the scope of a meeting or the core value of a new product. For example, a marketing team might say, "今年の冬のキャンペーンのテーマは『温もり』です" (The theme for this winter's campaign is 'warmth'). This helps align all creative assets—ads, social media, and in-store displays—under one coherent idea.

「次回の会議のテーマを共有します。」
(I will share the theme/topic for the next meeting.)

On social media, you might see hashtags like #今日のテーマ or #私のテーマ, where users share their personal focus for the day or their life philosophy. It is also common in the world of fashion, where a designer's collection is always built around a specific tēma.

「このレストランは地中海をテーマにしている。」
(This restaurant is Mediterranean-themed.)

テーマ曲 (Tēma-kyoku)
Theme song; the signature music for a show or character.
テーマカラー (Tēma-karā)
Theme color; the primary color used for branding or an event.

While テーマ is a loanword, its usage doesn't always perfectly overlap with 'theme' in English. One of the most common mistakes for English speakers is using it when 話題 (wadai) or 内容 (naiyō) would be more appropriate. Tēma implies a structured, intentional subject, whereas wadai is for casual topics of conversation.

Incorrect: 昨日の飲み会のテーマは何だった？
This sounds like the drinking party had a formal agenda. Use '話題' (wadai) instead.
Incorrect: この本のテーマ（内容）を教えて。
If you want a summary of the plot, use '内容' (naiyō). 'テーマ' asks for the underlying message.

Another mistake is the pronunciation. English speakers often say "the-me" with a 'th' sound. In Japanese, it is strictly テ (te) ー (long vowel) マ (ma). The 'te' is a crisp 't' sound, and the 'ma' is short. Mispronouncing it as 'shīmu' (like 'team') is also a common error, as 'team' is 'チーム' (chīmu) in Japanese.

「× チームを決める (Decide the team) vs ○ テーマを決める (Decide the theme)」

Grammatically, learners often forget that tēma is a noun and try to use it as a verb. You cannot say "テーマする". You must say "テーマにする" (to make something the theme) or "テーマとして扱う" (to treat as a theme). Understanding this distinction is crucial for passing JLPT B1 and B2 levels.

Confusion with 'Subject'
In grammar, the 'subject' is '主語' (shugo), not 'テーマ'.
Confusion with 'Issue'
Social issues are '問題' (mondai) or '課題' (kadai), though they can be the 'テーマ' of a debate.

To truly master テーマ, you must understand how it relates to and differs from other Japanese words that translate to 'topic' or 'subject.' The nuances are subtle but important for achieving natural fluency.

話題 (Wadai)
Refers to a 'topic' of conversation. It's what people are talking about right now. It's more casual and transient than a theme.
主題 (Shudai)
The 'main subject' or 'primary theme.' This is more formal and academic than 'テーマ.' It is often used in the context of classical music or formal literature.
題目 (Daimoku)
Usually refers to the 'title' or 'heading' of a document or a speech, often in a very formal or religious context.

While tēma is the most versatile, コンセプト (konseputo) is its closest rival in modern business. A 'concept' is the 'how' and 'why' behind a design, while the 'theme' is the 'what.' For example, the tema might be 'Nature,' but the konseputo is 'Sustainable Luxury.'

「話題のテーマ (A popular theme) vs 共通の話題 (A common topic of conversation)」

Another word to consider is モチーフ (mochīfu), which refers to a recurring visual or narrative element. A 'theme' is the abstract idea (e.g., mortality), while the 'motif' is the concrete symbol used to represent it (e.g., a wilting flower). In Japanese art criticism, these are distinct terms.

題材 (Daizai)
The raw material or subject matter used for a creative work (e.g., a historical event used as the 'daizai' for a novel).
趣旨 (Shushi)
The purpose or intent behind an action or a statement.

How Formal Is It?

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

〜を〜にする (To make A into B)

〜に沿って (Along with/Following)

〜について (About/Concerning)

〜を中心とした (Centered around)

〜という (Called/The fact that)

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Exemples par niveau

1

今日のテーマは「自己紹介」です。

Today's theme is 'Self-introduction'.

Noun + は + Noun + です

2

このパーティーのテーマは何ですか？

What is the theme of this party?

Question word 'nan' used with 'desu ka'

3

私の好きなテーマは「旅行」です。

My favorite theme is 'Travel'.

Possessive 'watashi no' used with 'suki na'

4

テーマパークに行きましょう。

Let's go to a theme park.

Compound noun 'tēma pāku'

5

この絵のテーマは「海」です。

The theme of this picture is 'The Sea'.

Particle 'no' to show possession/attribute

6

テーマを決めてください。

Please decide on a theme.

Verb 'kimeru' in 'te-kudasai' form

7

新しいテーマは何ですか？

What is the new theme?

Adjective 'atarashii' modifying 'tēma'

8

テーマは「冬」です。

The theme is 'Winter'.

Simple topic marker 'wa'

1

来週のテストのテーマを教えてください。

Please tell me the theme/topic of next week's test.

Verb 'oshieru' in 'te-kudasai' form

2

日本をテーマにした本を読みました。

I read a book themed around Japan.

Pattern: [Noun] o tēma ni shita [Noun]

3

会議のテーマはまだ決まっていません。

The theme of the meeting hasn't been decided yet.

Negative state 'kimatte imasen'

4

面白いテーマの映画を見ました。

I saw a movie with an interesting theme.

Adjective 'omoshiroi' modifying 'tēma'

5

この曲のテーマソングは有名です。

The theme song of this show is famous.

Compound noun 'tēma songu'

6

テーマに沿って話をしてください。

Please speak according to the theme.

Grammar 'ni sotte' (along with/following)

7

自由なテーマで作文を書きました。

I wrote an essay on a free theme.

Adjective 'jiyū na' (na-adjective)

8

テーマカラーは青にしましょう。

Let's make the theme color blue.

Verb 'suru' used for making a choice

1

環境問題をテーマにしたドキュメンタリーを見た。

I watched a documentary themed on environmental issues.

Standard B1 relative clause structure

2

卒業論文のテーマを絞るのに苦労している。

I'm having trouble narrowing down my graduation thesis theme.

Verb 'shiboru' (to narrow down)

3

このイベントのメインテーマは何ですか？

What is the main theme of this event?

Use of 'main' as a prefix

4

議論のテーマが少しずれているようです。

It seems the theme of the discussion is drifting a bit.

Verb 'zureru' (to slip/drift)

5

彼は愛をテーマに詩を書き続けている。

He continues to write poems with love as the theme.

Particle 'ni' marking the role

6

このレストランのテーマは「癒やし」です。

The theme of this restaurant is 'healing/relaxation'.

Abstract noun as a theme

7

プレゼンのテーマを明確にする必要があります。

It's necessary to make the theme of the presentation clear.

Verb 'meikaku ni suru' (to clarify)

8

テーマパークの建設には多額の費用がかかる。

Building a theme park costs a large amount of money.

Noun phrase as a subject

1

その小説は、現代社会の孤独を深くテーマにしている。

That novel takes the loneliness of modern society as its deep theme.

Adverb 'fukaku' modifying the verb phrase

2

研究テーマの設定が、論文の質を左右する。

The setting of the research theme determines the quality of the thesis.

Verb 'sayū suru' (to influence/determine)

3

今回の展示会は「共生」をテーマに掲げている。

This exhibition holds 'coexistence' as its theme.

Verb 'kakageru' (to hoist/put up/motto)

4

テーマが多すぎて、焦点がぼやけてしまっている。

There are too many themes, so the focus has become blurred.

Resultative 'te-shimau' form

5

彼女の作品には一貫したテーマが見られる。

A consistent theme can be seen in her works.

Passive potential 'mirareru'

6

ビジネスのテーマを「持続可能性」にシフトする。

Shift the business theme to 'sustainability'.

Verb 'shifuto suru' (to shift)

7

テーマにふさわしい音楽を選んでください。

Please choose music appropriate for the theme.

Adjective 'fusawashii' (appropriate)

8

その映画は、差別という重いテーマを扱っている。

The movie deals with the heavy theme of discrimination.

Apposition 'to iu' (called/the fact that)

1

この哲学者の思想には、常に「死」というテーマが底流にある。

In this philosopher's thought, the theme of 'death' is always an undercurrent.

Noun 'teiryū' (undercurrent)

2

監督は、前作と同じテーマを異なる視点から再構築した。

The director reconstructed the same theme as the previous work from a different perspective.

Verb 'saikōchiku suru' (to reconstruct)

3

作品の根底に流れるテーマを読み解くのは容易ではない。

It is not easy to decipher the theme flowing at the base of the work.

Verb 'yomitoku' (to decipher/read into)

4

テーマの普遍性が、この物語を世界的なヒットに導いた。

The universality of the theme led this story to become a global hit.

Noun 'fuhensei' (universality)

5

彼は、日常の些細な出来事を壮大なテーマへと昇華させた。

He sublimated trivial daily events into a grand theme.

Verb 'shōka saseru' (to sublimate)

6

テーマの選択において、独創性が強く求められる。

In the selection of a theme, originality is strongly required.

Passive voice 'motomerareru'

7

この論文は、ジェンダーというテーマを多角的に分析している。

This thesis analyzes the theme of gender from multiple angles.

Adverb 'takaku-teki ni' (multi-faceted)

8

テーマとモチーフの境界線が曖昧になっている作品も多い。

There are many works where the boundary between theme and motif is blurred.

Noun 'kyōkaisen' (boundary)

1

実存主義的テーマを、これほどまでに洗練された形で表現した例は稀である。

Examples of expressing existentialist themes in such a refined form are rare.

Advanced modifier 'kore hodo made ni'

2

その建築家は、都市の記憶をテーマに、空間の再定義を試みた。

The architect attempted to redefine space with the theme of 'urban memory'.

Noun 'saiteigi' (redefinition)

3

テーマの深淵に触れることで、読者は自己の存在を問い直すことになる。

By touching the abyss of the theme, readers end up re-questioning their own existence.

Noun 'shin'en' (abyss)

4

政治的イデオロギーをテーマに据える際は、客観性の維持が極めて困難である。

When placing political ideology as a theme, maintaining objectivity is extremely difficult.

Verb 'sueru' (to set/place)

5

その詩人は、言語そのものをテーマとしたメタ的な創作活動を行っている。

The poet engages in meta-creative activities with language itself as the theme.

Adjective 'meta-teki' (meta)

6

伝統的なテーマを現代的な文脈で解釈し直す作業が必要だ。

Work is needed to re-interpret traditional themes in a modern context.

Verb 'kaishaku-ninaosu' (to re-interpret)

7

テーマの変遷を辿ることで、その時代の精神構造が見えてくる。

By tracing the transition of themes, the mental structure of that era becomes visible.

Noun 'hensen' (transition/change)

8

彼は、自己犠牲というテーマを極限まで突き詰めた。

He pushed the theme of self-sacrifice to its absolute limit.

Verb 'tsukitsumeru' (to investigate thoroughly/push to the limit)

Collocations courantes

テーマを決める (Decide a theme)
テーマを絞る (Narrow down a theme)
テーマに沿う (Follow a theme)
テーマを掘り下げる (Delve into a theme)
テーマを掲げる (Proclaim a theme)
テーマがぶれる (Theme becomes inconsistent)
研究テーマ (Research theme)
メインテーマ (Main theme)
共通のテーマ (Common theme)
重いテーマ (Heavy/Serious theme)

Phrases Courantes

今日のテーマ (Today's theme)
テーマパーク (Theme park)
テーマソング (Theme song)
テーマカラー (Theme color)
〜をテーマにする (To make ~ the theme)
テーマに沿って (Along the lines of the theme)
一生のテーマ (Life's work/theme)
隠れたテーマ (Hidden theme)
時代に合ったテーマ (Theme that fits the times)
テーマが明確だ (The theme is clear)

Souvent confondu avec

テーマ vs チーム (Chīmu) - Team

テーマ vs タイトル (Taitoru) - Title

テーマ vs 話題 (Wadai) - Casual topic

Expressions idiomatiques

"テーマを外れる (To go off-topic/theme)"
"テーマを一本化する (To unify the themes into one)"
"テーマを投げかける (To pose a theme/question to an audience)"
"テーマが踊る (A theme is prominently displayed/sensationalized)"
"テーマを煮詰める (To finalize/reach the core of a theme)"
"テーマに命を吹き込む (To breathe life into a theme)"
"テーマを食う (A specific element overshadows the main theme)"
"テーマの殻を破る (To break the mold of a conventional theme)"
"テーマを背負う (To carry the burden of a theme/message)"
"テーマが響く (The theme resonates)"

Facile à confondre

テーマ vs 主題

More formal/literary.

テーマ vs 話題

More casual/conversational.

テーマ vs 内容

Refers to the content/plot, not the underlying idea.

テーマ vs 題材

The material used to create the work.

テーマ vs 趣旨

The intent or purpose.

Structures de phrases

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Comment l'utiliser

nuance

Slightly more formal/academic than 'topic'.

origin impact

German roots make it sound precise.

Erreurs courantes

Astuces

Academic Writing

Always use '研究テーマ' when referring to your thesis topic to sound professional.

Focusing

If a meeting is going off track, say 'テーマに戻りましょう' (Let's return to the theme).

Anime

Pay attention to 'OP' and 'ED'—they are the 'Opening Theme' and 'Ending Theme'.

Relative Clauses

Practice the pattern '[Noun] をテーマにした [Noun]' to describe creative works.

Synonyms

Learn '主題' (shudai) alongside 'テーマ' for formal writing.

German Link

Remember it comes from German 'Thema' to help with the 'te' sound.

News

Listen for the 'Today's Theme' announcement at the start of news shows.

Clarity

Using 'テーマ' helps organize your paragraphs around a single idea.

Hashtags

Search #テーマ on Japanese social media to see how people use it for daily goals.

Not 'Team'

Never confuse 'テーマ' (theme) with 'チーム' (team)!

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Imagine a 'TAME' (tēma) lion being the central 'theme' of a circus. It's the main attraction everyone focuses on.

Origine du mot

German

Contexte culturel

TV shows often have a 'theme of the day' to engage viewers.

Company slogans are often referred to as the 'corporate theme'.

Choosing a 'graduation theme' is a major milestone.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"あなたの研究のテーマは何ですか？ (What is your research theme?)"

"この映画のテーマについてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about the theme of this movie?)"

"今年の私のテーマは「挑戦」です。 (My theme for this year is 'Challenge'.)"

"次のパーティーのテーマを決めましょう。 (Let's decide the theme for the next party.)"

"最近のニュースのテーマは暗いものが多いですね。 (Many recent news themes are dark, aren't they?)"

Sujets d'écriture

今日のあなたの人生のテーマを書いてください。 (Write about the theme of your life today.)

一番好きな映画のテーマについて説明してください。 (Explain the theme of your favorite movie.)

将来、どんなテーマで本を書きたいですか？ (What theme would you like to write a book about in the future?)

「平和」をテーマに短い日記を書いてください。 (Write a short diary entry with 'Peace' as the theme.)

あなたの仕事や勉強のメインテーマは何ですか？ (What is the main theme of your work or studies?)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Usually, '話題' (wadai) is better for casual chat. 'テーマ' sounds like you have a planned agenda.

It's much more common to use the compound 'テーマソング' (tēma songu) or 'テーマ曲' (tēma kyoku).

A theme is the 'what' (e.g., Space), while a concept is the 'how' or 'why' (e.g., Minimalist Space exploration).

Yes, it frequently appears in B1 (N3) and B2 (N2) level reading and listening sections.

No, school subjects like Math or English are '教科' (kyōka) or '科目' (kamoku).

映画のテーマは愛でした (Eiga no tēma wa ai deshita).

No, it is almost exclusively written in Katakana. The equivalent kanji word is '主題' (shudai).

Not for 'teams', but it can be used for the 'theme' of an Olympic ceremony.

No, you must use 'テーマにする' or 'テーマとして扱う'.

Yes, putting the stress on the first syllable (TE-ema) makes it sound natural.

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