Explanation at your level:
A topic is what you talk about. If you talk about your cat, 'cats' is the topic. It is the main thing in your conversation. When you learn English, you study many different topics, like food, school, and family. It is a very useful word to know!
A topic is the subject of a conversation or a book. For example, if you are reading a book about space, the topic is space. In class, your teacher might say, 'Today's topic is grammar.' It helps you know what to focus on during a lesson or a talk with friends.
When you have a conversation, you usually have a specific topic in mind. A topic is the theme or subject that you are discussing. If you want to move to a different subject, you can say, 'Can we change the topic?' It is a very common word in both school and work environments.
In formal writing or professional meetings, a topic refers to the central issue or subject being addressed. Being able to introduce a topic clearly is a key skill for effective communication. You might hear people talk about a 'hot topic,' which refers to a subject that is currently causing a lot of debate or interest among the public.
The term topic is foundational in academic and intellectual discourse. It represents the focal point of an inquiry or argument. In advanced contexts, we often discuss the 'scope' of a topic, referring to how broadly or narrowly a subject is being treated. Mastering the ability to pivot between topics or synthesize multiple topics is a hallmark of advanced language proficiency.
Etymologically, the topic serves as the 'topos' or 'place' of intellectual engagement. In sophisticated rhetoric, a topic is not merely a subject, but a category of argument or a domain of inquiry. Whether you are analyzing the thematic structure of a literary work or navigating the nuances of a complex political debate, the topic functions as the anchor for logical progression. Understanding the distinction between a 'topic' and a 'theme' or 'subject' allows for greater precision in both analytical writing and high-level discourse.
30초 단어
- A topic is a subject of discussion.
- It is a countable noun.
- It comes from the Greek word 'topos'.
- It is used in school, work, and daily life.
Think of a topic as the headline of your thoughts. Whenever you start a conversation, write an essay, or watch a documentary, there is always a central idea that everything else revolves around. That is your topic!
It is the subject matter that keeps a discussion on track. Without a clear topic, conversations can become confusing or lose their purpose. Whether you are discussing the weather, a new movie, or global economics, you are always focusing on a specific topic.
The word topic has a fascinating history that dates back to ancient times. It comes from the Greek word topikos, which is derived from topos, meaning 'place'.
In classical rhetoric, a 'topic' was literally a 'place' where an orator could go to find arguments or ideas. Think of it as a mental filing cabinet where you store specific themes to draw from during a debate. Over centuries, the word evolved from physical locations to abstract 'places' of thought, eventually becoming the standard way we describe the subject of any discussion today.
You will use the word topic almost every day. It is highly versatile and works in both casual and formal settings. You might say, 'That is a sensitive topic' when you want to avoid an argument, or 'The topic of the lecture was biology' in a school setting.
Common collocations include discuss a topic, change the topic, and relevant topic. Using these phrases helps you sound more natural when navigating conversations or academic writing.
Idioms often use the concept of a topic to describe how we interact with ideas. Here are five common ones:
- Change the subject/topic: To move to a new idea.
- Off-topic: Not related to the current discussion.
- Hot topic: A subject that is currently very popular or controversial.
- Stick to the topic: To remain focused on the main idea.
- Touch on a topic: To mention a subject briefly.
The word topic is a countable noun, meaning it has a plural form: topics. You can use it with articles like 'a topic' or 'the topic'.
Pronunciation varies slightly between regions. In the UK, it is pronounced /ˈtɒp.ɪk/, while in the US, it is /ˈtɑː.pɪk/. It rhymes with words like optic and picnic. The stress is always on the first syllable.
Fun Fact
It originally referred to a physical place where you could find arguments.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'o' sound like 'pot'.
Long 'ah' sound like 'father'.
Common Errors
- pronouncing the 'p' as 'b'
- stressing the second syllable
- making the 'i' sound like 'ee'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Easy to use
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Countable Nouns
one topic, two topics
Articles
the topic
Subject-Verb Agreement
The topic is...
Examples by Level
What is the topic?
What is the subject?
Question structure
I like this topic.
I like this subject.
Subject-verb agreement
The topic is easy.
The subject is simple.
Linking verb
Read the topic.
Read the subject.
Imperative
My topic is music.
My subject is music.
Possessive pronoun
Choose a topic.
Pick a subject.
Imperative
Is this the topic?
Is this the subject?
Interrogative
We have one topic.
We have one subject.
Quantity
The topic of the meeting is next week's schedule.
We discussed the topic for a long time.
Can you suggest a topic for my essay?
The topic was very interesting to everyone.
She changed the topic quickly.
What is your favorite topic to talk about?
The teacher wrote the topic on the board.
I don't know much about this topic.
The lecture covered a wide range of topics.
It is important to stay on topic during the interview.
The topic of climate change is very important today.
We touched on the topic of moving abroad.
That is a controversial topic to bring up at dinner.
He is an expert on the topic of ancient history.
The article focuses on the topic of healthy eating.
Let's stick to the topic we started with.
The political debate centered on the topic of tax reform.
She researched the topic extensively before writing her thesis.
The topic of artificial intelligence is a hot topic in tech.
He introduced the topic with a compelling anecdote.
The committee decided to postpone the topic until next month.
It is a sensitive topic, so please be careful.
The book explores the topic of human nature.
They reached a consensus on the topic after hours of debate.
The symposium addressed the topic of linguistic evolution.
His discourse on the topic was both erudite and engaging.
We must define the parameters of our topic before proceeding.
The topic remains a subject of intense academic scrutiny.
She expertly navigated the topic, highlighting key contradictions.
The article provides a comprehensive overview of the topic.
The topic is multifaceted and requires careful consideration.
He was able to synthesize the topic with great clarity.
The orator returned to the topic with renewed vigor.
The topic serves as the cornerstone of his philosophical treatise.
The discourse shifted to a more esoteric topic.
The topic is fraught with historical and cultural complexity.
She interrogated the topic from a post-modern perspective.
The topic is central to the broader thematic inquiry.
His mastery of the topic was evident in his nuanced analysis.
The topic is a recurring motif throughout the novel.
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"off-topic"
not relevant to the current discussion
That comment was totally off-topic.
neutral"change the subject"
to start talking about something else
She changed the subject when I asked about money.
neutral"touch on a topic"
to mention briefly
The speaker touched on the topic of taxes.
neutral"hot topic"
a subject of current interest
The new law is a hot topic in the news.
neutral"stick to the point"
to remain focused
Please stick to the point of the meeting.
neutral"on the topic of"
regarding a specific subject
On the topic of food, have you tried this?
neutralEasily Confused
They are synonyms.
Subject is broader.
School subject vs. topic of conversation.
Both mean central idea.
Theme is for stories.
The theme of the story is hope.
Both are subjects.
Issue implies a problem.
The issue of climate change.
Both relate to discussion.
Point is a specific argument.
That's a valid point.
Sentence Patterns
The topic is [noun]
The topic is science.
We are discussing the topic of [noun]
We are discussing the topic of art.
That is a sensitive topic.
That is a sensitive topic.
He is an expert on the topic of [noun]
He is an expert on the topic of history.
Let's change the topic to [noun]
Let's change the topic to music.
어휘 가족
Nouns
Adjectives
관련
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
Topic is a noun only.
Avoid redundant phrasing.
They are different concepts.
Grammar structure.
Single 'p'.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a 'Top' hat filled with 'Pics' of your favorite subjects.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it to transition in meetings: 'Moving on to the next topic...'
Cultural Insight
In the US, 'Hot Topic' is a famous store for youth fashion.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'the' or 'a' before topic.
Say It Right
Focus on the clear 'T' sound at the start.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as a verb!
Did You Know?
It originally meant a place to find arguments.
Study Smart
Create a list of 5 topics you want to discuss in English today.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
TO-PIC: TO (to) PIC (pick). Pick a subject to talk about!
Visual Association
A teacher pointing to a chalkboard with a big header.
Word Web
챌린지
Write down 3 topics you want to learn about this week.
어원
Greek
Original meaning: place
문화적 맥락
None, but 'sensitive topic' is a common phrase to warn others.
Common in schools, news, and business.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At school
- What is the topic?
- I need help with this topic.
- Is this on the test?
At work
- Let's discuss the topic of sales.
- Moving to the next topic.
- This is a hot topic.
Socializing
- That's an interesting topic.
- Can we change the topic?
- I don't know much about that topic.
Writing
- The topic of this essay is...
- I have chosen my topic.
- The topic is well-defined.
Conversation Starters
"What is your favorite topic to talk about?"
"Is there a topic you find difficult to understand?"
"What is a hot topic in the news right now?"
"How do you feel when someone changes the topic?"
"If you could give a lecture, what topic would you choose?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a topic you are passionate about.
Describe a time you had to change the topic.
What is a topic you want to learn more about?
Why is it important to stay on topic?
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문They are similar, but theme is often used for art and literature.
Yes, it means relevant to current events.
A subject that everyone is talking about.
Add an 's' to get topics.
No, it is only a noun.
Use it as the subject or object of a sentence.
Off-topic.
It comes from the Greek word for place.
셀프 테스트
The ___ of the book is animals.
Topic fits the context of subject matter.
Which word means the same as topic?
Subject is a synonym.
A topic is a type of food.
A topic is a subject, not food.
Word
뜻
Matching idioms to meanings.
Standard subject-verb order.
점수: /5
Summary
A topic is the 'what' of any conversation or study.
- A topic is a subject of discussion.
- It is a countable noun.
- It comes from the Greek word 'topos'.
- It is used in school, work, and daily life.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a 'Top' hat filled with 'Pics' of your favorite subjects.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it to transition in meetings: 'Moving on to the next topic...'
Cultural Insight
In the US, 'Hot Topic' is a famous store for youth fashion.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'the' or 'a' before topic.
예시
What's the topic of today's meeting?
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