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topic and Spanish tópico
In English
topic
the subject of a conversation or text
In Spanish
tópico
idea muy repetida
Spanish "tópico" means: cliché
Why they get mixed up Spanish "tópico" is a cliché, a repeated idea worn out from overuse and lacking originality. English "topic" is simply the subject of a conversation or text, with no negative connotation. Many people say "tópico" for "tema," but it's a calque of English that the RAE advises against.
If you want to say...
- topictema
- clichétópico
- stereotypeestereotipo
Examples
Let's change the topic.
Cambiemos de tema.
That's an interesting topic.
Ese es un tema interesante.
The topic of today's class is verbs.
El tema de la clase de hoy es los verbos.
We discussed several topics during lunch.
Hablamos de varios temas durante el almuerzo.
Common mistakes in Spanish
Incorrect: Hoy hablamos de un tópico nuevo en clase.
Correct: Hoy hablamos de un tema nuevo en clase.
Tópico usually means cliché or commonplace. For topic, use tema.
Incorrect: Es un tópico de conversación muy popular.
Correct: Es un tema de conversación muy popular.
Use tema for a subject of conversation.
Phrases you will hear
- the topic of today's classel tema de la clase de hoy
- a hot topicun tema candente
- off topicfuera de tema
- change the topiccambiar de tema
- a clichéun tópico (lugar común)
- a stereotypeun estereotipo
In a conversation
- A:
Let's change the topic.
Cambiemos de tema.
- B:
Why? It's a hot topic.
¿Por qué? Es un tema candente.
- A:
It's off topic today. Also, that's a cliché.
Hoy está fuera de tema. Además, eso es un tópico.
- B:
Fine. Different topic.
Está bien. Otro tema.
Test yourself
"The main topic" is...
To remember it
Topic = the subject of discussion. A cliché (Spanish "tópico") = cliché.
Frequently asked questions
What does Spanish "tópico" mean?
Spanish "tópico" means "cliché". It looks like the English "topic", which is exactly why it gets confused, but "topic" means "the subject of a conversation or text".
Does English "topic" mean the same as Spanish "tópico"?
Spanish "tópico" is a cliché, a repeated idea worn out from overuse and lacking originality. English "topic" is simply the subject of a conversation or text, with no negative connotation. Many people say "tópico" for "tema," but it's a calque of English that the RAE advises against.