正题 (zhèng tí) — main topic, main subject (of discussion or writ… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Use 正题 for the 'main topic' you actually need to discuss or write about — especially in the common phrase 进入正题 ('get to the point'). In academic writing it means 'thesis'.

noun

main topicmain subject (of discussion or writing)(philosophy) thesis

Examples

正题，。
Wǒ men xiān bǎ zhèng tí tǎo lùn qīng chǔ, zài tán qí tā wèn tí.
Let's first discuss the main topic clearly, then talk about other issues.
正题。
Zhè piān lùn wén de zhèng tí shì mín zhǔ yǔ fǎ zhì de guān xì.
The thesis of this paper is the relationship between democracy and the rule of law.
，正题。
Tā fā yán hěn jiǔ, què yì zhí méi yǒu jìn rù zhèng tí.
He spoke for a long time but never got to the main topic.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

正 main + 题 topic gives the main topic.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

丁

丁dīng正zhèng

Same sound today

正 pairs 止 with 丁; 止 marks the sense and 丁 gives the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 題; 题 is its simplified writing.

是頁題

Meaning part形符xíngfú

頁頁yèhead

Sound part声符shēngfú

是

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

For 题, the traditional form 題 uses 是 for sound and 頁 for head, and means 'forehead'.

Appears in

Abstract Concepts

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.