Explanation at your level:
题目 means question. You see it on your test. If you have a question, you look at the 题目. It is a very important word for students like you!
You use 题目 to talk about test questions or the title of a book. For example, "Did you finish the 题目?" It is very common in school every day.
At this level, you use 题目 to discuss essay prompts or research topics. It helps you clarify what you are writing about or which problem you are currently solving in your math or logic homework.
题目 is used to refer to the core subject matter of a discussion or a debate. It carries a sense of formality, often used when you need to focus on a specific issue rather than general conversation.
In advanced contexts, 题目 can refer to the central theme of a complex academic inquiry. It is often used in professional settings to define the scope of a project or the specific point of contention in a formal argument.
Mastery of 题目 involves understanding its nuance in literary criticism and philosophical discourse. It represents the intersection of inquiry and structure, serving as the anchor for intellectual exploration in both classical and contemporary Chinese literature.
Word in 30 Seconds
- It means question or title.
- Use '道' as a measure word.
- Common in academic life.
- Neutral and standard.
The Chinese word 题目 (tí mù) is a versatile noun you will encounter constantly in school and professional life. At its core, it refers to a question or a problem that needs to be solved, especially in an exam setting.
Beyond tests, it also functions as a title or topic for written work. If you are writing an essay, the 题目 is the specific subject you are exploring. It is a fundamental building block for any learner of Chinese, bridging the gap between simple questions and complex academic discourse.
The word 题目 has deep roots in the Chinese civil service examination system. Historically, 题 (tí) referred to the act of inscribing or writing on a surface, while 目 (mù) referred to an item or a category.
During the imperial examination era, the 题目 was the specific prompt or theme given to scholars. Over centuries, the term evolved from referring strictly to official examination prompts to the broader modern usage covering any title or question. It is a fascinating example of how academic terminology has permeated everyday life.
You will use 题目 most often when discussing homework or exams. For example, you might say "This question is too hard" (这个题目太难了). It is a neutral, standard term used in both formal classroom settings and casual study groups.
When referring to an essay title, you can use it to ask for clarification, such as "What is the topic of your paper?" (你的论文题目是什么?). It is highly reliable and rarely feels out of place in any educational context.
While 题目 is a noun, it appears in phrases like 跑题 (pǎo tí), meaning to go off-topic. Another common one is 做题目 (zuò tí mù), which simply means to work on problems or solve questions.
You might also hear 出题目 (chū tí mù), which describes the act of creating or setting a test question. These phrases are essential for sounding like a natural speaker when discussing study habits or meeting agendas.
In terms of grammar, 题目 is a countable noun. You can use measure words like 道 (dào) to quantify them, as in 一道题目 (one question).
Pronunciation-wise, it is tí mù. The first character has a rising tone, and the second is a neutral tone in some dialects, though usually pronounced as a falling-fourth tone. It rhymes with words like yù mù (forest) in terms of the final sound structure.
Fun Fact
It originates from the imperial exam system.
Pronunciation Guide
Standard Mandarin tones.
Standard Mandarin tones.
Common Errors
- Mixing up tones
- Dropping the second syllable
- Incorrect vowel length
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very common
Needs measure word
Easy
Clear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Measure words
一道题目
Noun usage
题目是...
Verb-Object
做题目
Examples by Level
这是一道题目。
This is a question.
Use measure word '道'.
题目很难。
The question is hard.
Simple subject-predicate.
看题目。
Look at the question.
Imperative.
写题目。
Write the answer to the question.
Verb-object.
题目是什么？
What is the topic?
Interrogative.
我做题目。
I am doing the problems.
Present continuous.
题目不对。
The question is wrong.
Adjective predicate.
多做题目。
Do more questions.
Advice.
题目太多了。
这个题目很有趣。
请读一下题目。
题目写在黑板上。
我不懂这个题目。
题目要求什么？
这是今天的题目。
我们讨论这个题目。
这个题目涉及很多方面。
请把题目修改一下。
这道题目考察的是逻辑。
他的论文题目很新颖。
别跑题了。
题目设定得非常清晰。
我正在准备考试题目。
我们要围绕这个题目发言。
这个题目引发了激烈的讨论。
该题目具有很高的研究价值。
请明确你的题目。
这个题目超出了我的知识范围。
题目与内容不符。
我们需要重新审视这个题目。
这是一个极具挑战性的题目。
题目不仅限于此。
该题目在学术界引起了广泛关注。
这个题目切中了要害。
我们需要对题目进行深度的剖析。
这个题目涵盖了多个维度的考量。
题目本身就带有引导性。
这个题目反映了当代的社会焦虑。
对于这个题目，我有不同的见解。
题目选择至关重要。
这个题目折射出深刻的时代背景。
该题目是整个研究的基石。
题目中暗含的逻辑需要仔细推敲。
这个题目具有极强的思辨性。
题目设定得滴水不漏。
这个题目触及了问题的核心本质。
题目引领着读者的思考方向。
这是一个宏大的题目。
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"跑题"
To go off-topic.
你说的内容跑题了。
neutral"做文章"
To make a big deal out of something.
别在这件事上做文章。
casual"题外话"
An aside or off-topic remark.
说个题外话。
neutral"点题"
To hit the nail on the head/bring up the main point.
他的总结很点题。
formal"破题"
To start answering/addressing the core issue.
这是破题的关键。
formal"题目大做"
To make a mountain out of a molehill.
不要题目大做。
formalEasily Confused
Both mean question.
题目 is a task; 问题 is a query.
题目很难 vs 我有问题.
Both relate to topics.
主题 is a theme; 题目 is a title.
会议主题 vs 论文题目.
Both mean title.
标题 is a heading; 题目 is a prompt.
文章标题 vs 考试题目.
Specific to exams.
考题 is exam-only; 题目 is general.
考题很难 vs 题目很简单.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 是 + 题目
这是题目。
题目 + Adjective
题目很难。
Verb + 题目
讨论题目。
Measure word + 题目
一道题目。
Subject + 修改 + 题目
我修改了题目。
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
10/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
问题 usually refers to a problem or question, while 题目 refers to a title or prompt.
In Chinese, nouns often need measure words.
Themes are broader than specific titles.
题目 is a noun, not a verb.
Tone accuracy is vital for clarity.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize a test paper.
Native usage
Use it when discussing schoolwork.
Cultural Insight
Deeply tied to education.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use '道' for questions.
Say It Right
Focus on the rising tone.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as a verb.
Did You Know?
It's an ancient term.
Study Smart
Practice with exam papers.
Context
Use it for essay titles too.
Audio
Listen to native speakers.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'T' for Test and 'M' for Main point.
Visual Association
A teacher writing a question on a blackboard.
Word Web
Challenge
Write down 3 topics for your next essay.
Word Origin
Chinese
Original meaning: Inscribed item/category
Cultural Context
None.
Equates to 'question' or 'topic' in academic settings.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At school
- 题目是什么？
- 做题目
- 题目很难
Writing an essay
- 定题目
- 修改题目
- 题目要求
In a meeting
- 讨论这个题目
- 这是今天的题目
- 跑题了
Studying
- 分析题目
- 理解题目
- 做完题目
Conversation Starters
"你觉得今天的题目难吗？"
"你的论文题目是什么？"
"我们换个题目讨论吧。"
"这个题目很有意思。"
"请帮我看看这个题目。"
Journal Prompts
Describe a difficult exam question you faced.
What is the topic of your current project?
Why is it important to stay on topic?
How do you choose a good essay title?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is also for titles.
Use the measure word 道.
It is standard and neutral.
Yes, but '书名' is more specific.
题目 is a specific task; 问题 is a general query.
Yes, it means writing the answer to a question.
Yes, for discussion topics.
Imperial exams.
Test Yourself
这是一___题目。
道 is the correct measure word for questions.
Which means 'topic'?
题目 is the correct word.
题目 can be used as a verb.
It is a noun.
Word
Meaning
Matching idioms to meanings.
Subject-Adjective structure.
Score: /5
Summary
题目 is the essential word for any question, problem, or title you encounter in your Chinese studies.
- It means question or title.
- Use '道' as a measure word.
- Common in academic life.
- Neutral and standard.
Memory Palace
Visualize a test paper.
Native usage
Use it when discussing schoolwork.
Cultural Insight
Deeply tied to education.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use '道' for questions.
Example
这道数学题目很难。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Grammar Rules
More academic words
缺席
B1The state of being absent from a place or event where one is expected to be, such as a class, meeting, or ceremony.
抽象的
A2Abstract.
抽象地
B1In an abstract manner; conceptually.
艰深
B1Profound; abstruse; recondite.
学术性
A2Academic; scholarly; relating to education and scholarship.
学术化
B1Academic; characterized by formal study or research.
学术会议
A2Academic conference; a formal meeting for academic discussions.
学术交流
B1Exchange of ideas, information, and research among scholars.
学术期刊
B1A periodical publication containing scholarly articles.
教务处
A2Academic affairs office; department handling educational administration.
