tímù: 题目 - Topic, Subject, Problem, Title

• Keywords: tímù, timu, 题目, Chinese for topic, Chinese for subject, Chinese for problem, Chinese for title, what does timu mean, how to use timu, timu vs wenti, Chinese exam question, Chinese homework problem, HSK 3 vocabulary
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 题目 (tímù), a versatile noun meaning “topic,” “subject,” “title,” or “problem.” This page explains its core meaning, especially its strong connection to academic questions and exam problems in Chinese culture. We'll break down the characters, provide dozens of practical examples, and clarify the crucial difference between 题目 (tímù) and 问题 (wèntí) to help you use it correctly in any context.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tímù
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: A topic, subject, title, or a problem (especially an exercise or exam question).
• In a Nutshell: Think of 题目 (tímù) as the specific, stated task you need to address. It's the title of an article you have to write, the subject of a speech you have to give, or, most commonly, the question on a test or homework assignment that you have to solve. It's a concrete “problem” that has been set for you, rather than a general “issue” or a question you ask out of curiosity.

• 题 (tí): This character originally referred to the forehead. It evolved to mean the “heading” or “topic” at the “head” of a text, inscription, or discussion. It represents the main point or subject.
• 目 (mù): This character is a pictogram of an eye. It means “eye,” but by extension, it can also mean “item,” “list,” or “category”—something you look at and classify.
• When combined, 题目 (tímù) literally translates to something like “the item that is the topic” or “the heading to look at.” This fusion perfectly captures the meaning of a specific, defined subject or question that is presented for consideration or solution.

The word 题目 (tímù) is deeply embedded in the Chinese educational system, which has historically placed immense emphasis on standardized testing. From the ancient imperial examinations (`科举 - kējǔ`) to the modern-day national college entrance exam (`高考 - gāokǎo`), the ability to understand and precisely answer a given 题目 has been a critical skill for social mobility and success. For a Chinese student, a 题目 is not just a “question”; it's a specific challenge, a hurdle to overcome within a structured system. This gives the word a more formal and objective feel than the general English word “problem.” Comparison to Western Concepts: In English, “problem” can be a math problem, but it can also be an abstract issue (“I have a problem with your attitude”) or a malfunction (“There's a problem with the car”). 题目 (tímù) almost exclusively refers to the first type: a defined, solvable task. For the other meanings, a Chinese speaker would use 问题 (wèntí). Understanding this distinction is key to sounding natural. A 题目 has a correct answer or a set of expected responses; a 问题 might just be a source of trouble or a point of inquiry.

This is the most common context for 题目. It is the default word for any question on a test, quiz, or homework assignment.

• 数学题目 (shùxué tímù): Math problem(s)
• 考试题目 (kǎoshì tímù): Exam question(s)
• 作业题目 (zuòyè tímù): Homework problem(s)
• 出题目 (chū tímù): To write/create questions (what a teacher does)

It can also refer to the title of an essay, the subject of a research paper, or the topic of a formal speech.

• 作文题目 (zuòwén tímù): Essay topic/title
• 演讲题目 (yǎnjiǎng tímù): Speech topic
• 文章的题目 (wénzhāng de tímù): The title of the article

While 题目 can be used to mean “topic of conversation,” the word 话题 (huàtí) is far more common in everyday, informal chat. Using 题目 in a casual conversation can make you sound a bit overly formal or academic.

• Example 1:
  • 这次考试的题目太难了，我很多都不会做。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì kǎoshì de tímù tài nán le, wǒ hěn duō dōu bú huì zuò.
  • English: The questions on this exam were too difficult; there were many I couldn't do.
  • Analysis: A classic example of 题目 referring to exam questions.
• Example 2:
  • 老师，您可以帮我看看这个数学题目吗？
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī, nín kěyǐ bāng wǒ kànkan zhège shùxué tímù ma?
  • English: Teacher, can you help me look at this math problem?
  • Analysis: Here, 题目 clearly means a specific, solvable problem from a textbook or assignment.
• Example 3:
  • 你毕业论文的题目定了吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bìyè lùnwén de tímù dìng le ma?
  • English: Have you decided on the topic/title for your graduation thesis?
  • Analysis: This shows the usage of 题目 as a formal topic for a major academic work.
• Example 4:
  • 我们今天的讨论题目是环境保护。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen jīntiān de tǎolùn tímù shì huánjìng bǎohù.
  • English: The topic of our discussion today is environmental protection.
  • Analysis: A slightly more formal context, like a meeting or a class discussion, where 题目 is appropriate for “topic.”
• Example 5:
  • 老师正在为期末考试出题目。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī zhèngzài wèi qīmò kǎoshì chū tímù.
  • English: The teacher is currently creating questions for the final exam.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the common verb phrase `出题(目) (chū tí(mù))`, meaning “to set questions.”
• Example 6:
  • 做作业的时候，一定要先看清楚题目的要求。
  • Pinyin: Zuò zuòyè de shíhou, yídìng yào xiān kàn qīngchu tímù de yāoqiú.
  • English: When doing homework, you must first clearly read the requirements of the question.
  • Analysis: Highlights that a 题目 comes with specific instructions or requirements.
• Example 7:
  • 这个题目有点儿大，我们最好把它分成几个小部分来谈。
  • Pinyin: Zhège tímù yǒudiǎnr dà, wǒmen zuìhǎo bǎ tā fēnchéng jǐ ge xiǎo bùfen lái tán.
  • English: This topic is a bit broad; we'd better divide it into a few smaller parts to discuss.
  • Analysis: Used here to describe the scope of a subject or project.
• Example 8:
  • 他为自己的画起了一个很有诗意的题目。
  • Pinyin: Tā wèi zìjǐ de huà qǐ le yí ge hěn yǒu shīyì de tímù.
  • English: He gave his painting a very poetic title.
  • Analysis: Shows 题目 being used as a “title” for a work of art. 标题 (biāotí) would also work here.
• Example 9:
  • 今天的作业有十道题目。
  • Pinyin: Jīntiān de zuòyè yǒu shí dào tímù.
  • English: Today's homework has ten problems.
  • Analysis: `道 (dào)` is a common measure word for 题目.
• Example 10:
  • 这个问题不是一道简单的数学题目，它涉及很多方面。
  • Pinyin: Zhège wèntí bú shì yí dào jiǎndān de shùxué tímù, tā shèjí hěn duō fāngmiàn.
  • English: This issue is not a simple math problem; it involves many aspects.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly contrasts 问题 (wèntí) (a broader issue) with 题目 (a specific, defined problem) to make a point.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 题目 (tímù) and 问题 (wèntí). They can both be translated as “problem” or “question,” but they are not interchangeable.

• 题目 (tímù): A problem that is set for you to solve. It has a correct or expected answer. Think of tests, homework, official discussion topics, or titles.
  • Correct: 这个题目的答案是什么？ (What is the answer to this (test) question?)
• 问题 (wèntí): A problem that arises or that you have. It can be a question you ask out of curiosity, a difficulty, an issue, or a trouble.
  • Correct: 老师，我有一个问题。 (Teacher, I have a question.)
  • Correct: 我的电脑有问题。 (My computer has a problem/issue.)

Common Mistake:

• Incorrect: 老师，我有一个题目。 (Teacher, I have a test question.)
• Why it's wrong: This sounds like you have created a test question for the teacher. A student asking for clarification should always use 问题 (wèntí). You have a “question” (问题), you don't have a “test problem” (题目) to give someone.

Think of it this way: A teacher gives you a 题目. If you don't understand it, you have a 问题.

• 问题 (wèntí) - The most critical distinction. A general “question,” “issue,” or “problem” that arises, as opposed to one that is formally set.
• 标题 (biāotí) - A more specific word for “title,” “headline,” or “heading,” especially in news and publishing.
• 话题 (huàtí) - The “topic” of a conversation. More informal and dynamic than 题目.
• 课题 (kètí) - A “research topic,” “project,” or an issue for study. It's more formal and academic than 题目, often implying long-term research.
• 考试 (kǎoshì) - Exam; the most common setting where you will encounter many 题目.
• 作业 (zuòyè) - Homework; a collection of 题目 to be completed at home.
• 答案 (dá'àn) - The answer or solution to a 题目.
• 出题 (chū tí) - A common verb, “to set/create a question.” It's the action of creating a 题目.