題 — Topic, Subject, Problem

Meaning

Whether you are solving a math problem, doing homework, or discussing a hot topic, you will see 題. This character acts as the 'heading' for various concepts including titles, subjects, and questions. While 18 strokes might look intimidating, it is a core N4 kanji taught in the 3rd grade of Japanese elementary school. Understanding 題 is key to navigating academic and professional environments in Japan.

Historically, 題 is a phono-semantic compound. The left side, 是 (ze), originally meant 'straight' or 'correct.' The right side is the radical 頁 (おおがい), which represents a 'head' or 'page.' In ancient times, the character specifically referred to the forehead—the most prominent part of the head. Eventually, this physical meaning shifted toward the 'front' or 'heading' of a document. Today, it marks the primary theme of a conversation or the specific questions on an exam.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

Memorizing this kanji is simple because it has only one primary reading used in almost every common word.

ダイ (DAI): Use this reading for titles, homework, and social issues. You will hear 'dai' constantly in classrooms when teachers assign tasks or in news reports discussing current events.

題だい名めい (daimei) — Title (of a book, movie, or song)
問もん題だい (mondai) — Problem, question, issue
宿しゅく題だい (shukudai) — Homework

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

In modern Japanese, 題 does not have a standard kun'yomi reading. It was imported primarily as a formal, administrative, or technical term. For your JLPT studies, focus entirely on the 'DAI' reading. You won't need to worry about any native Japanese verb or adjective forms for this specific character.

Common Words & Compounds

This kanji is incredibly versatile. Here are the most common ways you will see it used in daily life:

Education and Academic Context

宿しゅく題だい (shukudai) — Homework: Assignments given to students for home study.
問もん題だい (mondai) — Problem/Question: This covers everything from 1+1 to complex social issues.
例れい題だい (reidai) — Example problem: A sample question used to explain a concept.
出しゅつ題だい (shutsudai) — Setting a question: When a teacher or examiner chooses the test topics.

Media and Communication

話わ題だい (wadai) — Topic of conversation: What everyone is currently talking about.
題だい名めい (daimei) — Title: The formal name of a creative work.
主しゅ題だい (shudai) — Main theme: The central focus of a story or piece of music.
表ひょう題だい (hyoudai) — Heading: Usually found at the top of a document or table.

Abstract Challenges

難なん題だい (nandai) — Difficult problem: A major hurdle or a very tricky request.
課か題だい (kadai) — Task/Assignment: A challenge that needs addressing, often used in business contexts.

Example Sentences

この問もん題だいの解とき方かたを教おしえてください。

kono mondai no tokikata wo oshiete kudasai.

Please show me how to solve this problem.

今日きょうの宿しゅく題だいはもう終おわりましたか。

kyou no shukudai wa mou owarimashita ka.

Have you finished today's homework yet?

お気きに入いりの本ほんの題だい名めいを忘わすれてしまいました。

okiniiri no hon no daimei wo wasurete shimaimashita.

I've forgotten the title of my favorite book.

彼かれはいつも最新さいしんのニュースを話わ題だいにします。

kare wa itsumo saishin no nyuusu wo wadai ni shimasu.

He always brings up the latest news as a topic of conversation.

日本にほんの少しょう子し高こう齢れい化かは深刻しんこくな社会しゃかい問もん題だいです。

nihon no shoushikoureika wa shinkoku na shakai mondai desu.

Japan's declining birthrate and aging population is a serious social issue.

次つぎのテストの出しゅつ題だい範はん囲いはどこですか。

tsugi no tesuto no shutsudai han'i wa doko desu ka.

What is the scope of the questions for the next test?

この小しょう説せつの主しゅ題だいは「愛あい」です。

kono shousetsu no shudai wa 'ai' desu.

The main theme of this novel is 'love.'

政治家せいじかたちは経けい済ざいの難なん題だいに直ちょく面めんしています。

seijikatachi wa keizai no nandai ni chokumen shite imasu.

Politicians are facing difficult economic challenges.

演えん題だいを「未み来らいのテクノロジー」に決きめました。

endai wo 'mirai no tekunorojii' ni kimemashita.

I decided on 'Future Technology' as the title of the speech.

レポートの課か題だいをメールで送おくりました。

repooto no kadai wo meeru de okurimashita.

I sent the report assignment via email.

Related Kanji

業 — Business, Vocation, Arts, Karma (Kanji N4)
知 — Know, Wisdom, Intellect (Kanji N4)
答 — Answer, Reply, Response (Kanji N4)
黒 — Black, Dark (Kanji N4)
走 — Run, Move fast (Kanji N4)
思 — To Think, Feel, Imagine (Kanji N4)

Memory Tip

Visualize the components: the left side 是 means 'correct' and the right side 頁 represents a 'page.' Think of an exam where you need to find the 'correct' (是) answer for every 'question' on the 'page' (頁). Since this kanji belongs to the 'head' radical family (along with 顔 face and 頭 head), you can also imagine the 'head' or top of a paper where the 'title' is written.