problem
/ˈprɒbləm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈprɑːbləm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈprä-bləm -bᵊm, -ˌblem/ (ame, mw)
problem — noun
- problemsingular
- problemsplural
1. a difficult situation, question, or task that you must deal with or find an answ
a difficult situation, question, or task that you must deal with or find an answer to.
Theo called his dad because he had a problem with his car engine.
have a problem with [something]
Ife stayed up late trying to fix a problem on her computer.
The biggest problem for the school is not having enough desks for the children.
Eleni said the noise from the street was a real problem at night.
A small crack in the wall can become a big problem if you leave it.
- issue
slightly more formal; often used for topics that people discuss or debate
- difficulty
emphasises how hard something is to deal with rather than the thing itself
- trouble
more informal; often used for smaller, everyday problems
- solution
the answer or way to fix a problem
文法句型
problem + with + noun/-ing verb
problem + of + noun/-ing verb
常見錯誤
2. a calculation task in a maths exam or textbook that asks you to work out a corre
a calculation task in a maths exam or textbook that asks you to work out a correct answer using numbers or logical steps.
Caio solved the last problem on the test just before the bell rang.
solve a (math) problem
The math teacher gave the class ten problems to finish at home.
Hui used a calculator to check the answer to each problem.
Each word problem in the textbook asks you to add or subtract numbers.
文法句型
problem + about [topic]
用法筆記
In school contexts, problem is used for math questions that need calculation or logical steps, while question is the more general term for any subject.
常見錯誤
3. a person or a group — often a child, a teenager, or a family — that people view
a person or a group — often a child, a teenager, or a family — that people view as having trouble with behaviour, emotions, health, or fitting in socially.
Talia taught at a school that helped children seen as problem kids.
attributive use: problem child / problem kid / problem family
The Chen family was known in the town as a problem family.
The centre works with teenagers who are labelled problem youths.
Ife's brother was sent to a special school for problem children.
文法句型
problem + noun
用法筆記
Calling someone or a group a problem can sound judgemental and negative. In modern usage, person-first language (e.g., 'a child with behavioural difficulties') is often preferred.
problem — adjective
- problempositive
- more problemcomparative
- most problemsuperlative
1. describing a person, especially a child or teenager, whose behaviour or social r
describing a person, especially a child or teenager, whose behaviour or social relationships cause difficulties for themselves or others.
The school brought in a counselor to work with problem students.
only before noun: problem student / problem behaviour
Hui's parents met with the teacher about problem behaviour at school.
The centre offers weekend sports for problem teenagers in the area.
Caio read a book about how to help problem children at home.
文法句型
problem + noun
用法筆記
Only used before a noun — you cannot say a child is problem. Common pairings include problem child, problem family, problem student, and problem behaviour. Some speakers now avoid this label for people, preferring phrases like 'child with behavioural difficulties'.
常見錯誤
2. describing something that repeatedly causes difficulty and is not easy to fix or
describing something that repeatedly causes difficulty and is not easy to fix or improve.
The garden is a problem area because water collects there after heavy rain.
collocation: problem area / problem spot
Eleni's relationship with her brother was a problem relationship that caused stress in the whole family.
The old stairs in Theo's building were a problem spot for older residents.
Traffic near the school gate is a problem area for parents every morning.
- troublesome
slightly more formal, works both before and after the noun
- difficult
more general; can be used in more grammatical positions
文法句型
problem + noun
用法筆記
Only used before a noun. Works with concrete places (problem area, problem spot) as well as abstract situations (problem relationship, problem issue).