Translation and Meaning of: 問題 - mondai

The Japanese word 「問題」 (mondai) is widely used and has various meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Generally, 「問題」 refers to a "problem," "issue," or "question." This term is common in both daily life and in academic and professional settings in Japan, often used in discussions and exams to describe questions or challenges to be solved.

The term 「問題」 is composed of two kanji: 「問」 (mon) and 「題」 (dai). The etymology of the kanji helps us understand better the meaning and origin of the word. The kanji 「問」 carries the sense of "to ask" or "question," reflecting the idea of inquiry or investigation. On the other hand, the kanji 「題」 means "subject" or "topic," and is often associated with the introduction of a specific theme or a field to be explored. Thus, the combination of both kanji results in the idea of a question that needs to be investigated or solved.

Historically, the word 「問題」 has its roots in academic use and Asian study traditions, where identifying and solving problems is a valued skill. During the Meiji period, when Japan modernized its educational institutions and introduced Western concepts, the word gained even more relevance and became extensively used to define test statements and intellectual challenges. However, the applicability of 「問題」 transcends the educational environment, being present in everyday contexts such as personal or social issues.

In addition to its common use, 「問題」 can appear in idiomatic phrases and cultural expressions, highlighting its flexibility and importance in Japanese communication. For example, the expression 「問題ない」 (mondai nai) means "no problem" or "it's all good," emphasizing a variation of the term that is often used to reassure a situation or person.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 課題 (Kadai) - Task or question to be resolved.
• トラブル (Toraburu) - Problem or incident that causes difficulty.
• 障害 (Shougai) - Obstacle or impediment that hinders the solution.
• 疑問 (Gimon) - Questioning or uncertainty about a subject.
• 論点 (Ronten) - Point of debate or discussion related to an issue.
• 課題点 (Kadaiten) - Specific points of a task that need attention.
• 問屋 (Tōya) - Wholesaler or store that deals with the sale of various items.
• 問答 (Mondō) - Dialogue based on questions and answers.
• 問い (Toi) - Question or inquiry that is made.
• 問い合わせ (Toiawase) - Inquiry or request for information.
• 問題点 (Mondaiten) - Problematic points that need to be addressed.
• 問題解決 (Mondai Kaiketsu) - Problem solving; approach to solving them.
• 問題解消 (Mondai Kaishō) - Elimination of problems; effective solution.
• 問題解決策 (Mondai Kaiketsusaku) - Strategy to solve a specific problem.
• 問題解決方法 (Mondai Kaiketsu Hōhō) - Problem-solving method.
• 問題解決手段 (Mondai Kaiketsu Shudan) - Means or tools to solve problems.
• 問題解決案 (Mondai Kaiketsu An) - Proposal or suggestion to solve a problem.
• 問題解決のための (Mondai Kaiketsu no tame no) - For problem-solving.
• 問題解決の手順 (Mondai Kaiketsu no Tejun) - Stages to solve a problem.
• 問題解決の方法 (Mondai Kaiketsu no Hōhō) - Method that should be followed for problem-solving.
• 問題解決のための方法 (Mondai Kaiketsu no tame no Hōhō) - Methods aimed at problem solving.

問題

Romaji: mondai
Kana: もんだい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: problem; question

Meaning in English: problem;question

Definition: Difficult situations, challenges, and concerns.

Example Sentences - (問題) mondai

See below some example sentences:

彼はいつも問題を誤魔化す。

Kare wa itsumo mondai o gomakasu

He always tries to cover up problems.

He always deceives the problem.

• 彼 - personal pronoun "he"
• は - Topic particle
• いつも - adverb "always"
• 問題 - noun "problem"
• を - direct object particle
• 誤魔化す - verb "deceive, disguise"

この問題は詰らない。

Kono mondai wa tsumaranai

This problem is bland.

This problem is not clogged.

• この - this
• 問題 - problem
• は - Topic particle
• 詰らない - no solution, no answer

非行は社会問題です。

Hikou wa shakai mondai desu

Delinquency is a social problem.

Delineations are social issues.

• 非行 (hikou) - inappropriate behavior, delinquency
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 社会 (shakai) - society
• 問題 (mondai) - problem
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

避けることができない問題がある。

Hikeru koto ga dekinai mondai ga aru

There is a problem that cannot be avoided.

There is an inevitable problem.

• 避ける - verb that means "to avoid"
• こと - noun that means "thing"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できない - adjective that means "cannot be done"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem"
• が - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• ある - Verb that means "to exist"

格差が社会問題として深刻化している。

Kakusa ga shakai mondai to shite shinkokuka shite iru

Inequality is becoming a serious social problem.

The gap is becoming more serious as a social problem.

• 格差 - inequality
• が - subject particle
• 社会 - society
• 問題 - problem
• として - how
• 深刻化 - worsening
• している - It's running

排水は重要な環境問題です。

Haisui wa juuyou na kankyou mondai desu

Drainage is an important environmental issue.

Drainage is an important environmental problem.

• 排水 - Means "sewer" in Japanese.
• は - is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 重要な - means "important" in Japanese, and is an adjective that modifies the noun "環境問題".
• 環境問題 - means "environmental problem" in Japanese, and is the subject of the sentence.
• です - is a polite way of saying "is" in Japanese, and indicates that the sentence is a statement.

利害がかかわる問題は慎重に考えなければならない。

Rigai ga kakawaru mondai wa shinchou ni kangae nakereba naranai

You must carefully consider the problem of interest.

You must carefully consider the problem of interest.

• 利害がかかわる - related to interests and benefits
• 問題 - problem
• は - Topic particle
• 慎重に - carefully
• 考えなければならない - must be thought

不足な資源が問題です。

Fusoku na shigen ga mondai desu

The lack of resources is a problem.

Insufficient resources are a problem.

• 不足な - scarcity, lack of
• 資源 - resources
• が - subject particle
• 問題 - problem
• です - verb to be in the polite form

この問題の判定は難しいです。

Kono mondai no hantei wa muzukashii desu

Assessing this problem is difficult.

It is difficult to judge this issue.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem" or "question"
• の - possessive particle that indicates that "問題" belongs to something or someone
• 判定 - noun that means "judgment" or "evaluation"
• は - topic particle indicating that "判定" is the topic of the sentence
• 難しい - adjective that means "difficult" or "complicated"
• です - linking verb that indicates the existence or state of something, in this case, that "判定" is difficult

この箇所に問題がある。

Kono kasho ni mondai ga aru

There is a problem at this point.

There is a problem with this part.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 箇所 - noun meaning "place", "point", "location"
• に - particle indicating the action of directing something to a place or person
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem", "question", "difficulty"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ある - verb that means "to exist," "to be present"