tema: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2General; also common in technical/industrial contexts.
Quick answer
What does “tema” mean?
The tendency to become angry or irritable, or to moderate something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The tendency to become angry or irritable, or to moderate something.
The state of a metal or substance regarding its hardness and elasticity; a person's mood or state of mind; to moderate or soften something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning. Usage is largely identical.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with metallurgy/engineering in technical American contexts.
Frequency
Equal frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “tema” in a Sentence
to temper something (with something)to have/lose/control a temperto be in a temperVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tema” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The judge sought to temper justice with a degree of clemency.
- The steel must be tempered at a precise temperature.
American English
- We need to temper our enthusiasm with practical concerns.
- The metal was tempered to increase its durability.
adverb
British English
- (Rare) He spoke temperedly, despite his frustration.
American English
- (Rare) She replied temperedly, choosing her words with care.
adjective
British English
- (As participle) He gave a tempered response to the criticism.
- Tempered glass is used in shower doors.
American English
- (As participle) She offered a well-tempered compromise.
- The report was temperedly optimistic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to discuss moderating expectations or outcomes: 'We must temper our forecasts with realism.'
Academic
Common in history/politics ('temper of the age'), psychology ('temperament'), and materials science.
Everyday
Primarily refers to anger management: 'He has a terrible temper.'
Technical
Metallurgy: 'The glass is tempered for safety.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tema”
- Using 'temper' to mean 'temperature' in modern English (archaic).
- Confusing 'temper' (n.) with 'temper' (v.) – they are closely related but used differently.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Temper' usually refers to a tendency to anger. 'Temperament' is broader, referring to a person's natural personality and emotional disposition.
Yes, when used as a verb meaning 'to moderate' (temper enthusiasm with caution) or referring to a 'good/even temper' (a calm disposition).
'Anger' is the emotion itself. 'Temper' is the tendency or proneness to become angry. You 'feel anger', but you 'have a temper'.
It is glass that has been treated with heat or chemicals to make it much stronger and safer, so it shatters into small, dull pieces instead of sharp shards.
The tendency to become angry or irritable, or to moderate something.
Tema is usually general; also common in technical/industrial contexts. in register.
Tema: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtem.pər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtem.pɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “lose one's temper”
- “keep one's temper”
- “temper justice with mercy”
- “a short temper”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
TEMPER reminds you of TEMPERATURE – both can rise quickly and need controlling.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANGER IS A HEATED FLUID IN A CONTAINER (He lost his temper, She was boiling with anger). MODERATION IS MIXING/ALLOYING (Temper your criticism with praise).
Practice
Quiz
In metallurgy, what does 'to temper' metal mean?