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题材 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
题材tícáisubject matterHSK 6, n, rank #11641, Hard
tícái(ti2cai2) T2
  1. 1subject matter
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March 24, 2026
题材(題材)tícái(ti2cai2)

题材 refers to the subject matter or theme of a work, especially in literature, film, or art. It encompasses the main ideas and topics that are explored and can affect the overall tone and interpretation of the piece. Understanding the 题材 is crucial for analyzing and appreciating creative works.

Frequency#11641DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the selection of 题材 is often influenced by historical events and societal values, reflecting the collective consciousness and aspirations of the time. For instance, revolutionary themes were prominent in literature during the Cultural Revolution.

Memory Tip

Imagine a painter choosing a canvas (题) to depict a scene (材). The word sounds like 'ti' (题) which is a question or topic, and 'cai' (材) which can mean material or substance. Picture a painter deciding on the 'subject material' for their artwork, connecting the meaning with the components.

Meanings of 题材

tícái(ti2cai2)
1subject matter
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 题材

题材Simplified
題材Traditional
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#11641Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 题材

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Podcast: 题材

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AI Study Notes for 题材

Quick Contrast

主题 (zhǔtí) - 主题 refers specifically to the main idea or message of a work, while 题材 encompasses the broader subject matter or theme.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a painter choosing a canvas (题) to depict a scene (材). The word sounds like 'ti' (题) which is a question or topic, and 'cai' (材) which can mean material or substance. Picture a painter deciding on the 'subject material' for their artwork, connecting the meaning with the components.

Usage Notes

题材 is typically used in formal contexts, such as literary critiques or academic discussions. Common collocations include 题材分析 (theme analysis) and 题材选择 (subject matter selection). Be careful with tone, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 题材 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to literature and art. Students should focus on using it within contexts of discussions about creative works, enhancing their ability to express nuanced opinions.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the selection of 题材 is often influenced by historical events and societal values, reflecting the collective consciousness and aspirations of the time. For instance, revolutionary themes were prominent in literature during the Cultural Revolution.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 题材 with 主题, leading to sentences like '这部电影的主题是人性复杂性' instead of '这部电影的题材是人性复杂性'. Remember that 题材 focuses on the material or subject matter, not the theme.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 题材

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Component Characters

topic
HSK 215 strokes
View full entry
cáimaterial
7 strokes
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Write 题材

Practice writing 题材 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 题材

题材 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

像这类____最好别碰。

Subjects like this are better left alone.

Example Sentences for 题材 (2)

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1
像这类题材最好别碰。

xiàng zhè lèi tí cái zuì hǎo bié pèng。

Subjects like this are better left alone.
2
湘绣长于绣狮、虎题材.

xiāng xiù cháng yú xiù shī、 、 hǔ tí.

The most common designs on Xiang embroidery are lions and tigers.
Exercise 1 of 1

Reorder the Sentence

Subjects like this are better left alone.

Tap tokens to build the sentence

Cultural Notes for 题材

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the selection of 题材 is often influenced by historical events and societal values, reflecting the collective consciousness and aspirations of the time. For instance, revolutionary themes were prominent in literature during the Cultural Revolution.

Frequently Asked Questions about 题材

You can say, '这部电影的题材很有意思,探讨了人性的复杂性。' (The subject matter of this film is very interesting, exploring the complexities of human nature.)