English → Latin
“theme” in Latin
prōpositiōproposition, representation; subject, theme; statementprōpōnōto set forth, to put forth, to lay out; to expose to view, display; to make knownquaestiōproblem; seeking, search; inquiry, investigation, questioning, questionargūmentumargument (as in an argument for a position); evidence, a proof; a point, a theme; a topic, thesiscausacause, reason; case, claim, contention; cause, judicial process, lawsuitthematheme; topic; horoscope (the alignment of celestial bodies at a person's birth)positiōposition, place; framing; themedēclīnōto bend, deviate, turn aside/away, deflect; to inflect, decline; to avoid
The English word theme itself goes back to Latin thema.
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
theme
propositio: propositum: id quod propositum est (a subject proposed): quaestio, id quod quaerimus (a subject of inquiry): argumentum (contents, subject-matter): causa (the subject): thema, -atis, neuter (post-Augustan); Latin, positio, or quod positum est (a sentence proposed as the subject of discussion or debate). To depart from one’s theme, a proposito aberrare, declinare, or egredi; very far, longius labi: to return to one’s theme, ad propositum reverti.
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for theme?
- The usual Latin words for “theme” are prōpositiō, prōpōnō, quaestiō; also argūmentum, causa, thema. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.