The Topics In Spanish | Talk About Any Subject Naturally

Topics in Spanish usually use the noun “tema,” so learning phrases with “tema” helps you introduce, change, and close conversations with ease.

When you start talking more in Spanish, one small word keeps popping up again and again: tema. It sits in textbooks, TV shows, and everyday chats, and it is the word Spanish speakers reach for when they want to mention a subject or topic.

This guide walks you through how to say “topics” in Spanish, how to use tema correctly, and which other words step in when the context changes. You will also see real phrases, conversation ideas, and grammar tips so you can talk about any subject with confidence.

What Does “Topics” Translate To In Spanish?

The most common translation of “a topic” in Spanish is el tema. The plural “topics” becomes los temas. According to the Diccionario de la lengua española definition of «tema», the word refers to ideas or matters speakers develop in a text, talk, or any type of communication.

One detail surprises many learners: although it ends in -a, tema is masculine. You say el tema, un tema, los temas. The Diccionario panhispánico de dudas entry on «tema» explains that this pattern comes from Greek-origin nouns ending in -ma, such as problema, sistema, and poema.

Here are some basic examples:

• Ese es un tema complicado. – That is a complicated topic.
• Hoy tenemos tres temas en la reunión. – Today we have three topics in the meeting.
• No quiero hablar de ese tema. – I do not want to talk about that topic.

Besides tema, Spanish uses other nouns for topics in specific contexts:

• asunto – matter, issue, often practical or administrative.
• cuestión – question or issue that invites debate.
• materia – school subject or area of study.
• tópico – in many cases means “stereotype” rather than “topic.”

The Topics In Spanish For Everyday Talk

When people mention “the topics” for a class, a date, or small talk in Spanish, they nearly always mean los temas that will come up in conversation. Here the expression points to practical subjects: work, family, plans, hobbies, news, and so on.

Teachers and course designers use structured lists of topics to plan lessons. The Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes groups conversation themes by level, from basic needs at A1 to complex arguments at C1 and C2. That structure helps you build from simple personal data to broader social themes step by step.

In everyday life, you do not need a technical plan to keep talks flowing. Still, it helps to know which topics feel natural in Spanish at each stage of your learning. That way, you can match your vocabulary and grammar to the moment instead of freezing or switching back to your first language.

Useful Phrases With “Tema” For Conversation

Once you know the word tema, short phrases turn it into a flexible tool. Here are some that native speakers use all the time:

• Cambiando de tema… – Changing the topic…
• Hablemos de otro tema. – Let us talk about another topic.
• ¿Qué temas te interesan? – Which topics interest you?
• Ese tema me aburre. – That topic bores me.
• Ese es un buen tema de conversación. – That is a good conversation topic.

These expressions help you open new subjects, move away from sensitive issues, or invite the other person to pick something they enjoy. When you practice them often, they start to feel natural and your Spanish flows with less effort.

Spanish Words For Topics And How They Differ

Many learners treat tema, asunto, and cuestión as perfect synonyms. Native speakers do switch between them, but each one carries a slightly different feeling. A quick comparison gives you a clearer sense of which term fits each situation.

Spanish Word	Quick Meaning	Typical Use
tema	topic, theme	Broad subjects in talks, texts, music, or study
asunto	matter, issue	Practical problems, official matters, emails
cuestión	issue, point	Questions that invite debate or reflection
materia	subject	School subjects and academic fields
tema de conversación	conversation topic	Subjects used to keep a chat going
tópico	stereotype, cliché	Overused ideas, not neutral topics
tema musical	track, tune	Individual pieces of music

One detail stands out in that list: tópico often means cliché. Learners sometimes assume it works like English “topic,” but in many settings it refers to a worn-out idea, especially when speaking about national stereotypes.

To stay safe, keep tema as your default word for a neutral topic. Switch to tópico only when you want to refer to a stereotype or a trite idea.

Grammar Tips For Talking About Topics In Spanish

Knowing which word to choose is only half of the story. You also need to place it correctly in a sentence, match articles and adjectives, and combine it with the right verbs and prepositions. Here are some clear rules that will keep you on track.

Gender And Articles With “Tema”

As mentioned earlier, tema looks feminine but takes masculine articles and adjectives. Sites that teach noun gender, such as this Spanish gender rules page, list tema along with problema and sistema as exceptions.

• El tema interesante – the interesting topic.
• Un tema complicado – a complicated topic.
• Los temas necesarios – the necessary topics.

Adjectives match the masculine grammatical gender, even though the word ends in -a. This pattern stays stable in both singular and plural.

Verbs And Prepositions That Go With “Tema”

Certain verbs appear again and again with topic words. Learning them as chunks makes your sentences feel far more natural. Some frequent combinations include:

• hablar de un tema – to talk about a topic.
• tratar un tema – to deal with or treat a topic in depth.
• mencionar un tema – to mention a topic.
• evitar un tema – to avoid a topic.
• sacar un tema – to bring up a topic.

Notice the preposition de in hablar de un tema. English often uses “about,” and Spanish uses de in the same function. With other verbs such as pensar, the preposition changes, so this sort of pairing deserves regular practice.

Conversation Topics In Spanish At Different Levels

Conversation classes often use topic lists to match tasks to the learner’s level. The Instituto Cervantes describes this in its course outlines and in the Plan Curricular online index, which sorts discourse types and genres by level.

For self-study, you can borrow the same idea. Pick topics that suit your current skills so you can easily speak with ease, then add slightly more ambitious subjects to stretch yourself. Regular practice keeps those topics fresh.

Level	Typical Topic	Sample Spanish Prompt
A1	Personal details	¿Cuál es tu tema favorito cuando conoces a alguien nuevo?
A2	Daily routines	Habla de un tema relacionado con tu día de trabajo o estudio.
B1	Hobbies and media	Describe un tema de una serie, un libro o una canción que te guste.
B2	Current affairs	Presenta un tema de actualidad y da tu opinión.
C1	Abstract ideas	Explica un tema complejo de tu campo de interés.
C2	Specialised subjects	Defiende un tema polémico con argumentos detallados.

You do not need to reach an advanced level to enjoy rich conversation. Even at A2 or B1, you can share firm opinions about music, food, weekends, and stories from your life as long as you keep sentences short and vocabulary clear.

How To Choose Safe And Engaging Topics In Spanish

Picking good conversation topics in Spanish is less about finding magic ideas and more about reading the room. Friendly chats usually start with neutral ground, then move slowly toward more personal themes as trust grows between speakers.

Practical Ways To Practice Topics In Spanish

Reading about topic words helps, but you only gain real confidence when you use them aloud and in writing. A few simple habits can turn passive knowledge of tema and related vocabulary into active skills.

Build Your Own Topic Lists

Start by writing short lists of topics that matter to you in Spanish. You can mirror the levels in the Instituto Cervantes plan and divide your notebook into personal life, work or study, free time, and broader social themes.

Under each heading, add five or six temas you enjoy. Then add main verbs, adjectives, and sample questions for each one. This tiny “topic bank” becomes a handy source of ideas before lessons, language exchanges, or online chat sessions.

Bringing It All Together With Your Everyday Spanish Topics

Learning how to handle topics in Spanish is less about memorising long lists and more about mastering a few core building blocks. The word tema, its masculine gender, the most frequent verb combinations, and a clear sense of safe conversation themes give you everything you need to take part in real talks.

Once you feel secure with those pieces, you can add related words such as asunto, cuestión, and materia, and start shaping richer sentences. From there, every new chat adds one more tema to your range, and topics in Spanish stop being a real problem and start becoming a source of genuine connection.