お題だい

noun

theme; subject; motif

Common in creative and social contexts: a given topic for writing, drawing, conversation, or games. The honorific お is part of the word.

• 今日きょうのお題だいは「夏なつの思おもい出で」です。

  Today's theme is 'Summer Memories'.

• お題だいに沿そって短たん歌かを詠よんでください。

  Please compose a tanka poem based on the given theme.

noun

theme for the Imperial New Year's Poetry Contest

Specific traditional use: the annual topic announced for the 歌会始 (Imperial New Year's Poetry Reading).

See also: 御題 (ぎょだい)

• 今年ことしの歌うた会かい始はじめのお題だいは「光ひかり」です。

  This year's theme for the Imperial New Year's Poetry Contest is 'Light'.