Theme in different languages

Theme in Different Languages

Discover 'Theme' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'theme' carries significant weight in various contexts, influencing our perception and interpretation of different situations. In literature, a theme represents the underlying message or central idea of a story, guiding readers through a journey of discovery. Culturally, themes help shape our values, traditions, and beliefs, often serving as a foundation for human connection and understanding.

Moreover, exploring the translation of 'theme' in different languages can provide fascinating insights into how diverse cultures perceive and express similar concepts. For instance, in Spanish, 'theme' translates to 'tema,' while in German, it becomes 'Thema.' In Japanese, the word 'theme' is expressed as 'テーマ (teema),' reflecting the influence of Western culture on the language.

Understanding the nuances of this term across various languages can enrich our appreciation for cultural diversity and enhance our ability to communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds. Join us as we delve into the translations of 'theme' in multiple languages, shedding light on the rich tapestry of human expression and understanding.

Theme


Theme in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaanstema
The Afrikaans word "tema" is derived from the Portuguese word "tema", meaning "task" or "assignment."
Amharicጭብጥ
The Amharic word 'ጭብጥ' is derived from a verb meaning 'to point' or 'to direct', and it also holds the meanings of 'direction', 'issue', 'topic', 'thesis', 'subject', and 'title'.
Hausataken
In Hausa, the word 'taken' can also mean 'chosen,' 'selected,' or 'preferred.'
Igboisiokwu
The word also refers to an Igbo proverb which literally translates to “truth is bitter”.
Malagasyfoto-kevitra
The word "foto-kevitra" (theme) is derived from the combination of "foto" (subject) and "kevitra" (thought or idea) in Malagasy.
Nyanja (Chichewa)mutu
In Malawi, 'mutu' can also refer to a funeral wake where people bring food and share stories about the deceased.
Shonatheme
Shona "theme" can also mean "talk", "subject matter", or "discussion".
Somalidulucda
The word "dulucda" in Somali can also refer to a composition of the same subject.
Sesothosehlooho
"Sehlooho" is likely derived from the Bantu root "-loha", meaning "to say" or "to speak."
Swahilimandhari
Mandhari is also used to refer to the main subject or focus of a discussion or event.
Xhosaumxholo
In linguistics, the Xhosa idiom "umxholo wendaba" means both "theme of a story" and "the plot of story".
Yorubaakori
In Yoruba, 'akori' also refers to a style or pattern
Zuluisihloko
The Zulu word "isihloko" can also refer to a story or a speech topic.
Bambaradakun
Ewenyati
Kinyarwandainsanganyamatsiko
Lingalamoto ya likambo
Lugandaomulamwa
Sepeditabataba
Twi (Akan)nsɛmpɔ

Theme in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicموضوع
The word موضوع (mawḍūʿ) can also refer to a subject, topic, or matter under discussion, as well as a target or aim.
Hebrewנושא
"נושא" can also mean "subject" or "topic"
Pashtoموضوع
The Pashto word "موضوع" is cognate with the Persian word "موضوع" ("mawzuʿ"), which means "put" or "placed", and ultimately derives from the Arabic root "وضع" ("waḍaʿa"), which means "to place" or "to put".
Arabicموضوع
The word موضوع (mawḍūʿ) can also refer to a subject, topic, or matter under discussion, as well as a target or aim.

Theme in Western European Languages

Albaniantema
The word "tema" in Albanian can also mean "topic" or "subject matter".
Basquegaia
The Basque word "gaia" also means "topic," "subject," or "matter"
Catalantema
Tema in Catalan can also mean a task, work, charge, occupation, affair, matter, business, or job.
Croatiantema
In Croatian, "tema" can also refer to a melody, a topic, a subject, or a task.
Danishtema
Tema can also mean 'subject' or 'task' in Danish.
Dutchthema
In Dutch, "thema" can also refer to a dissertation or a school assignment.
Englishtheme
The word 'theme' comes from the Greek 'thema,' meaning 'that which is laid down,' and is related to the word 'thesis,' meaning 'a proposition to be proved.'
Frenchthème
The word "thème" derives from the Greek "θέμα" (theme), meaning "subject" or "proposition".
Frisiantema
Frisian "tema" can also mean "rein" or "bridle" and is cognate with Old English "tēam" and German "Zaum".
Galiciantema
Tema comes from the Greek "titahemi", meaning "I place" or "I establish", and in Galician is also used to refer to a "topic".
Germanthema
"Theme" can also refer to a topic, a musical motif or melody, or the main idea of a piece of writing.
Icelandicþema
The Icelandic word "þema" originally referred to a judicial assembly or district, and is related to the Old English word "þegn", meaning "servant" or "retainer".
Irishtéama
The Irish word 'téama' shares its origin with the English word 'team', both originating from the Proto-Indo-European root *temeh2, meaning 'to set' or 'to put'.
Italiantema
The Italian word "tema" can also refer to a homework assignment, a musical composition's main melody, or a topic of discussion.
Luxembourgishthema
In Luxembourgish, "Thema" can refer to a "topic" or a "thesis", derived from the Greek "τίθημι" (tithemi) meaning "to place, to put".
Maltesetema
Maltese "tema" derives from Ancient Greek "thema" (θέμα), meaning a province or administrative division.
Norwegiantema
Tema, or temme, also means "theme" in Old Norse when used in relation to literature and poetry, similar to its English cognate.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)tema
"Tema" derives from "Thema", a Late Latin word meaning "position" or "arrangement," and "θέμα" (Thema), a Greek word meaning "that which is laid down."
Scots Gaeliccuspair
In Middle Irish, cuspair also meant 'case', and possibly 'pair' (e.g. of shoes)
Spanishtema
"Tema" in Spanish can also refer to a tax or duty levied by a government or authority.
Swedishtema
Tema is also a nickname for the Swedish town of Norrtälje; the name comes from the area's 16th century importance as a customs post for the iron trade, and means 'scales' in Swedish.
Welshthema
In Welsh, "thema" can also refer to a particular type of bird, akin to a raven or crow.

Theme in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianтэма
The word "тэма" or "theme" derives ultimately from Indo-European "*dʰeh₁-‎" meaning “to put, place, set”.
Bosniantema
Tema can also mean a load or burden
Bulgarianтема
The word "тема" can also refer to a "topic" or "subject" in Bulgarian.
Czechtéma
The Czech word "téma" can also refer to the main course of a meal or to a subject to be debated.
Estonianteema
The Estonian word "teema" also means "target", especially in a military context.
Finnishteema
The word "teema" in Finnish also means "tea".
Hungariantéma
The Hungarian word "téma" comes from the Greek word "θέμα", which means "position" or "foundation".
Latviantēma
The word "tēma" in Latvian also refers to a conversation or discussion topic.
Lithuaniantema
In Lithuanian, the word "tema" can also mean "subject" or "task"}
Macedonianтемата
The word "темата" in Macedonian also refers to the topic of a discussion, a sermon, or a scientific paper.
Polishmotyw
"Motyw" is a Latin loanword derived from "motivus" (moving, motive), and also cognate with the English "motion"
Romaniantemă
Romanian "temă" derives from Greek "thema" (a topic, a subject) and also can mean "homework assignment"
Russianтема
The Russian word "тема" (theme) comes from the Greek word "θέμα" (subject), which was originally used in music to refer to a melody that was repeated throughout a composition.
Serbianтема
The word "тема" in Serbian also refers to a diocese within a province of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Slovaktéma
The word "téma" also means "subject" or "topic" in Slovak.
Sloveniantemo
"Temo" also has other meanings in Slovene, including "fear" or "anxiety"
Ukrainianтеми
"Tema" is also a colloquial term for a conversation or discussion.

Theme in South Asian Languages

Bengaliথিম
"थीम" (theme) is a cognate of the English word "theme", both deriving from the Greek "θέμα (thema)" meaning "that which is laid down."
Gujaratiથીમ
થીમ (theme) comes from the Greek word 'τίθημι' ('tithemi'), which means 'to place' or 'to put'.
Hindiविषय
In Hindi, विषय can also refer to a chapter or topic of study.
Kannadaಥೀಮ್
ಥೀಮ್ in English refers to both theme (central idea/topic of discourse) & theme (musical or literary motif)
Malayalamതീം
The Malayalam word 'തീം' is adapted from the English word 'theme'.
Marathiथीम
In Marathi, 'थीम' can also mean a proposition or a topic of a discussion or debate.
Nepaliविषयवस्तु
In Nepali, the word "विषयवस्तु" can mean topic, subject matter, or content.
Punjabiਥੀਮ
The word ਥੀਮ is derived from the Greek word 'θέμα' meaning "something laid down" or "foundation."
Sinhala (Sinhalese)තේමාව
The Sinhala word "තේමාව" can also refer to a "topic","subject", or "composition".
Tamilதீம்
"தீம்" comes from the root "தீ", meaning "fire, brilliance, light", and is also related to "தீதி", meaning "sweetness, beauty, excellence".
Teluguథీమ్
థీమ్ (theme) is derived from the Greek word "θέμα" (thema), meaning "a subject or proposition."
Urduخیالیہ
خیالیہ in Urdu shares its root with the Arabic word 'khyal', meaning 'imagination' or 'thought'.

Theme in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)主题
主題 (主题) is an abbreviation derived from 主体 (主体).
Chinese (Traditional)主題
"主題" is composed of "主" (main, principal) and "題" (subject), which can also refer to the question posed in a classical Chinese exam.
Japaneseテーマ
The word “テーマ” (theme) is derived from the Greek word “θέμα,” meaning “fundamental issue” or “subject.
Korean테마
테마(theme)는 그리스어 '티테미'에서 유래했으며, '놓음', '배치함'을 의미합니다.
Mongolianсэдэв
The Mongolian word "сэдэв" (theme) is derived from the Mongolian word "сэдэх" (to talk about, to discuss) indicating a connection to discourse.
Myanmar (Burmese)ခေါင်းစဉ်

Theme in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiantema
The word "tema" in Indonesian can also refer to a meeting or discussion, with the meaning of "topic" or "subject matter".
Javanesetema
The Javanese word "tema" can also mean "intention" or "purpose".
Khmerប្រធានបទ
The word "ប្រធានបទ" derives from the Sanskrit word "प्रधानपद" meaning "chief place" or "principal position."
Laoຫົວຂໍ້
Malaytema
The Malay word "tema" originates from the Sanskrit word "tattva", meaning "truth" or "essence".
Thaiธีม
"ธีม" เป็นคำยืมจากภาษาอังกฤษ (theme) ซึ่งมีความหมายครอบคลุมมากกว่า "รูปแบบ" หรือ "หัวข้อ" เช่น อาจหมายถึง "แนวคิดพื้นฐาน" "สิ่งที่ครอบคลุมสิ่งต่างๆ ให้เป็นกลุ่ม" หรือ "อารมณ์โดยรวมของงานศิลป์"
Vietnamesechủ đề
The word "chủ đề" can also mean "topic", "subject", or "main idea".
Filipino (Tagalog)tema

Theme in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanimövzu
Mövzu is also used to refer to a subject of discussion, a topic, or a conversation.
Kazakhтақырып
The word "тақырып" can also mean "topic" or "subject matter".
Kyrgyzтема
In Kyrgyz, "тема" also means "purpose" or "intention".
Tajikмавзӯъ
The word "мавзӯъ" in Tajik is derived from the Arabic word "موضوع" and can also mean "topic", "subject", or "matter".
Turkmenmowzuk
Uzbekmavzu
The Uzbek word 'mavzu' derives from the Arabic 'mawdū', with alternate meanings in Farsi and Urdu, including 'subject', 'topic', and 'thesis'.
Uyghurتېما

Theme in Pacific Languages

Hawaiiankumuhana
"Kumuhana" can also mean "ground" or "foundation" in Hawaiian.
Maorikaupapa
The word 'kaupapa' in Maori can also mean a foundation, belief or principle.
Samoanautu
In Samoan, "autu" also means to make a public speech.
Tagalog (Filipino)tema
"Tema" also means "homework" or "task" in Tagalog.

Theme in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaratimatika
Guaraniñe'ẽrã

Theme in International Languages

Esperantotemo
The Esperanto word "temo" also means "fear" and is ultimately derived from the Greek word "θύμος" meaning "spirit" or "mind."}
Latintheme
In Latin theme can also mean "spectacle, festival, scene".

Theme in Others Languages

Greekθέμα
The word "θέμα" (theme) in Greek also refers to a province or administrative division of the Byzantine Empire.
Hmongntsiab lus
"Ntsiab lus" in Hmong can also mean the main idea of a story or article, or the subject of a conversation.
Kurdishmijad
The word "mijad" can also refer to the main topic or subject of a speech or presentation.
Turkishtema
Tema is also a word in the Turkish language that can refer to a "subject", "topic" or "lesson".
Xhosaumxholo
In linguistics, the Xhosa idiom "umxholo wendaba" means both "theme of a story" and "the plot of story".
Yiddishטעמע
The word טעמע can also refer to "taste" in Yiddish.
Zuluisihloko
The Zulu word "isihloko" can also refer to a story or a speech topic.
Assameseবিষয়বস্তু
Aymaratimatika
Bhojpuriविषय
Dhivehiތީމް
Dogriथीम
Filipino (Tagalog)tema
Guaraniñe'ẽrã
Ilocanoamad
Kriotim
Kurdish (Sorani)مەبەستی سەرەکی
Maithiliबिसय
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯍꯤꯔꯝ
Mizothupui
Oromodhimma haasaa
Odia (Oriya)ଥିମ୍
Quechuarimay
Sanskritविषयवस्तु
Tatarтема
Tigrinyaጭብጢ
Tsongamombo

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