problem
/ˈprɒbləm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈprɑːbləm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈprä-bləm -bᵊm, -ˌblem/ (ame, mw)
problem — 名詞
- problemsingular
- problemsplural
1. a difficult situation, question, or task that you must deal with or find an answ
問題；難題
需要處理或解決的困難情況
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.
Theo 打電話給他爸爸，因為他的車子引擎出了問題。
have a problem with [something]
Ife stayed up late trying to fix a problem on her computer.
Ife 熬夜試著解決電腦上的一個問題。
The biggest problem for the school is not having enough desks for the children.
這所學校最大的問題是沒有足夠的課桌椅給孩子們用。
Eleni said the noise from the street was a real problem at night.
Eleni 說街上的噪音在晚上真的很困擾。
A small crack in the wall can become a big problem if you leave it.
牆上一道小裂縫，如果放著不管，可能會變成大問題。
- 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
習題；題目
需要運算或推理的數學問題
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.
Caio 在鐘響前解出了考卷上的最後一題。
solve a (math) problem
The math teacher gave the class ten problems to finish at home.
數學老師給全班出了十道回家練習的題目。
Hui used a calculator to check the answer to each problem.
Hui 用計算機檢查每一題的答案。
Each word problem in the textbook asks you to add or subtract numbers.
課本裡的每道應用題都要你計算加法或減法。
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
問題人物
被認為有行為或情緒困難的人
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.
Talia 在一所幫助所謂「問題兒童」的學校教書。
attributive use: problem child / problem kid / problem family
The Chen family was known in the town as a problem family.
陳家在鎮上被視為一個問題家庭。
The centre works with teenagers who are labelled problem youths.
該中心與被貼上「問題青少年」標籤的年輕人一起工作。
Ife's brother was sent to a special school for problem children.
Ife 的弟弟被送到一間專收問題兒童的特殊學校。
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 — 形容詞
- problempositive
- more problemcomparative
- most problemsuperlative
1. describing a person, especially a child or teenager, whose behaviour or social r
問題行為的
描述有行為或社交困難的人
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.
學校聘請了一位輔導老師來協助有行為問題的學生。
only before noun: problem student / problem behaviour
Hui's parents met with the teacher about problem behaviour at school.
Hui 的家長和老師見面，討論孩子在學校的問題行為。
The centre offers weekend sports for problem teenagers in the area.
該中心為當地的問題青少年提供週末體育活動。
Caio read a book about how to help problem children at home.
Caio 讀了一本關於如何在家幫助問題兒童的書。
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
難處理的
形容經常造成困難且不易改善的
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.
花園是個問題區域，因為大雨過後那裡總會積水。
collocation: problem area / problem spot
Eleni's relationship with her brother was a problem relationship that caused stress in the whole family.
Eleni 和她弟弟之間的關係是一個問題重重的關係，給整個家庭帶來了壓力。
The old stairs in Theo's building were a problem spot for older residents.
Theo 住的那棟樓，舊樓梯對年長居民來說是個麻煩點。
Traffic near the school gate is a problem area for parents every morning.
學校門口附近的交通每天早上都是家長們的頭痛問題。
- 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).