topico
nounCEFR B2
What does “topico” mean in English?
topic, cliché — a theme; also an overused or trite saying
topic, cliché — a theme; also an overused or trite saying (es un tópico; tópico literario; los tópicos sobre)
Example sentences
Es un tópico afirmar que los jóvenes no leen, pero los datos muestran que el consumo de libros ha aumentado.
It is a cliché to claim that young people do not read, but data show that book consumption has increased.
Los viajeros que buscan autenticidad tratan de evitar los destinos definidos por tópicos culturales.
Travellers looking for authenticity try to avoid destinations defined by cultural clichés.
El ensayo analiza los tópicos literarios medievales del carpe diem y el ubi sunt.
The essay analyses the medieval literary topoi of carpe diem and ubi sunt.
How to use it
El tópico (noun, masculine) means 'topic, cliché, commonplace' — both a subject and an overused or trite idea. Core B2 collocations: es un tópico decir que; tópico literario/cultural; superar los tópicos; los tópicos sobre + people/place; un tópico gastado. The adjective is tópico/a. Distinguish from tema (theme — neutral topic) and cliché (anglicism, also used). Note the false friend: English 'topical' ≠ tópico.
Common mistake
Tópico is a false friend: English 'topical' = de actualidad/relevante. El tópico = a cliché or stock phrase, not just 'a topic'. 'Topical cream' (medicine) = crema tópica (here the cognate works). 'A good topic of conversation' = un buen tema de conversación.