Problem - Wikipedia-style Article

Problem

Definition

Problem is a noun that refers to a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome.

Parts of Speech
  • Noun
Pronunciation

American English

  • IPA Pronunciation: /ˈprɑː.bləm/, /ˈprɑːb.ləm/
  • Respelling: PRAH-bluhm, PRAH-blum

British English

  • IPA Pronunciation: /ˈprɒb.ləm/
  • Respelling: PROB-luhm
Etymology

The word "problem" originates from the Greek "problēma," meaning "a task put forward," derived from "pro-" (before) and "ballein" (to throw). It entered Latin as "problema" and was later adopted into Middle English through Old French in the late 14th century.

Derivatives
  • Problematic (adjective)
  • Problematize (verb)
  • Problematically (adverb)
  • Non-problematic (adjective)
  • Problem-solving (noun)
Synonyms
  • Issue
  • Dilemma
  • Challenge
Antonyms
  • Solution
  • Answer
  • Resolution
Usage

The term "problem" is commonly used in contexts requiring solutions, analysis, or intervention. Examples include "The company is facing a financial problem" and "He solved the math problem quickly."

Related Terms
  • Solution: The means of solving a problem.
  • Difficulty: A state of trouble or struggle.
  • Question: A matter that requires discussion or resolution.
Detailed Definitions

Noun

  • An unwelcome situation requiring resolution: Refers to circumstances that need attention or fixing.
    • Example: "They faced a major problem with the new software."
  • A question or exercise needing a solution: Refers to puzzles, tasks, or challenges in academic or practical fields.
    • Example: "The math test had five difficult problems."
  • An obstacle to achieving goals: Refers to something that hinders progress or success.
    • Example: "Lack of funding was a persistent problem for the project."

problem

They faced a major problem with the new software.
The math test had five difficult problems.
Lack of funding was a persistent problem for the project.
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🇨🇳 Mandarin

  • 问题 (Problem): Wèntí
  • IPA Pronunciation: /wən˥˩ti˥/
  • Respelling in English: Wen-tee

‍

  • 难题 (Difficult problem): Nántí
  • IPA Pronunciation: /nan˥˩ti˥/
  • Respelling in English: Nan-tee

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🇮🇳 Hindi

  • समस्या (Problem): Samasyā
  • IPA Pronunciation: /səməsjɑː/
  • Respelling in English: Sa-ma-sya

‍

  • मुद्दा (Issue): Muddā
  • IPA Pronunciation: /mʊd̪ːaː/
  • Respelling in English: Mud-da

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🇪🇸 Spanish

  • Problema (Problem)
  • IPA Pronunciation: /pro.ˈble.ma/
  • Respelling in English: Pro-ble-ma

‍

  • Dificultad (Difficulty)
  • IPA Pronunciation: /di.fi.kul.ˈtað/
  • Respelling in English: Di-fi-kul-tad

‍

🇫🇷 French

  • Problème (Problem)
  • IPA Pronunciation: /pʁɔ.blɛm/
  • Respelling in English: Pro-blem

‍

  • Difficulté (Difficulty)
  • IPA Pronunciation: /di.fi.kyl.te/
  • Respelling in English: Di-fi-cul-te

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🇸🇦 Modern Standard Arabic

  • مشكلة (Problem): Mushkila
  • IPA Pronunciation: /mʊʃˈkilah/
  • Respelling in English: Mush-kil-a

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  • صعوبة (Difficulty): Sa'uba
  • IPA Pronunciation: /sʕʊʔbah/
  • Respelling in English: Sa-u-ba

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🇧🇩 Bengali

  • সমস্যা (Problem): Somosshā
  • IPA Pronunciation: /ʃomoshʃa/
  • Respelling in English: Sho-mo-sha

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  • বিভ্রান্তি (Confusion): Bibhrānti
  • IPA Pronunciation: /bibʱranti/
  • Respelling in English: Bi-bhron-ti

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🇷🇺 Russian

  • Проблема (Problem): Problema
  • IPA Pronunciation: /prɐˈblʲemə/
  • Respelling in English: Pro-blem-a

‍

  • Сложность (Difficulty): Slozhnost'
  • IPA Pronunciation: /sləʐˈnosʲtʲ/
  • Respelling in English: Slozh-nost

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🇵🇹 Portuguese

  • Problema (Problem)
  • IPA Pronunciation: /pɾo.ˈbɫe.mɐ/
  • Respelling in English: Pro-ble-ma

‍

  • Dificuldade (Difficulty)
  • IPA Pronunciation: /difi.kul.ˈda.dʒi/
  • Respelling in English: Di-fi-kul-dah-ji

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🇮🇩 Indonesian

  • Masalah (Problem)
  • IPA Pronunciation: /masalah/
  • Respelling in English: Masalah

‍

  • Kesulitan (Difficulty)
  • IPA Pronunciation: /kɛsulitan/
  • Respelling in English: Ke-su-li-tan

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🇩🇪 German

  • Problem (Problem)
  • IPA Pronunciation: /pʁoˈbleːm/
  • Respelling in English: Pro-bleem

‍

  • Schwierigkeit (Difficulty)
  • IPA Pronunciation: /ˈʃviːʁɪçkaɪt/
  • Respelling in English: Shveer-ig-kait

‍

🇯🇵 Japanese

  • 問題 (Problem): Mondai
  • IPA Pronunciation: /mondai/
  • Respelling in English: Mon-dai

‍

  • 困難 (Difficulty): Konnan
  • IPA Pronunciation: /kon.nan/
  • Respelling in English: Kon-nan

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🇻🇳 Vietnamese

  • Vấn đề (Problem)
  • IPA Pronunciation: /vəːn ɗɛ˧˧/
  • Respelling in English: Van de

‍

  • Khó khăn (Difficulty)
  • IPA Pronunciation: /kʰɤ˧˥ kʰăn˧/
  • Respelling in English: Kho khan

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🇰🇷 Korean

  • 문제 (Problem): Munje
  • IPA Pronunciation: /mun.d͡ʑe/
  • Respelling in English: Mun-je

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  • 곤란 (Difficulty): Gonran
  • IPA Pronunciation: /kon.ɾan/
  • Respelling in English: Gon-ran

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🇹🇷 Turkish

  • Sorun (Problem)
  • IPA Pronunciation: /soɾun/
  • Respelling in English: So-run

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  • Güçlük (Difficulty)
  • IPA Pronunciation: /ɟytʃlyk/
  • Respelling in English: Gyuch-lyuk

‍

Problem

Definition

A problem is a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome, harmful, or needing to be dealt with and overcome. It can also refer to a question proposed for solution or discussion.

Parts of Speech

"Problem" is predominantly used as a noun.

Pronunciation

  • IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet): /ˈprɑːbləm/
  • American English respelling: praw-blum
  • British English respelling: prob-lum

Etymology

The term "problem" comes from the Latin "problema," which in turn derives from the Greek "problema" meaning 'something thrown forward,' based on the verbs "pro" ('forward') and "ballein" ('to throw').

Derivatives

  1. Problematic
  2. Problematically
  3. Nonproblem
  4. Subproblem
  5. Preproblem

Synonyms

  1. Issue
  2. Difficulty
  3. Challenge

Antonyms

  1. Solution
  2. Benefit
  3. Advantage

Usage

"Problem" is a common term used in various fields, such as mathematics, where it refers to a question posed for solution or proof. In general discourse, it typically refers to a difficult situation or matter that needs resolving.

Related Terms

  • Problematic: Constituting or presenting a problem or difficulty.
  • Solution: The means of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation.

Detailed Definition

As a noun, "problem" has a few closely related meanings:

  1. A matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome.
  2. Example: The city faces significant housing problems.
  3. A thing that is difficult to achieve or accomplish.
  4. Example: His main problem is his lack of social skills.
  5. A question or exercise set for solution or discussion.
  6. Example: The math problem seemed unsolvable at first glance.
  7. An inquiry starting from given conditions to investigate or demonstrate a fact, result, or law.
  8. Example: In geometry, constructing a circle that is tangent to three given circles is a well-known problem.

🇵🇰 Urdu

  • مسئلہ (Problem): Mas'ala
  • IPA Pronunciation: /məsəˈlə/
  • Respelling in English: Mas-a-la

‍

  • دشواری (Difficulty): Dushwārī
  • IPA Pronunciation: /d̪ʊʃwaːriː/
  • Respelling in English: Dush-wa-ri

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