tæma

Téma is a term used in Czech and Slovak to denote the subject of discussion, study, or artistic work, and it often corresponds to the English word “theme” or “topic.” In everyday use, téma refers to what a text, talk, or project is about, and it can also indicate the central idea or message that a work conveys.

Etymology and usage context: téma derives from the Greek thema, through Latin and French, and entered Czech and Slovak vocabulary via scholarly or literary language. In both languages, the noun has the plural forms témata (Czech) and témy (Slovak). The word is used across disciplines, including literature, film, journalism, and education.

Theme versus topic: in literary and critical contexts, téma is often understood as the underlying idea, question, or insight that a work explores. The topic is the explicit subject matter or matter under discussion, while the theme is the deeper meaning revealed through characters, events, and style. For example, a novel may have the téma of moral ambiguity in crisis situations, while its topic might be war or family conflict.

Applications: téma appears in curriculum design as a unit theme, in literary analysis as the focal idea of a work, and in media discussions as the central issue of a presentation or report. In music and film, it can also denote a recurring motif or thematic idea. Overall, téma provides a concise label for the subject and its deeper implications in Czech and Slovak discourse.