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

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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:

この問題は妥結した。

Kono mondai wa daketsu shita

This issue has been solved.

This problem has been completed.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem"
• は - topic particle indicating that what comes before is the main subject of the sentence
• 妥結 - noun that means "resolution" or "agreement"
• した - verb in the past that indicates the action has already been completed

この問題は重大な影響を与える可能性がある。

Kono mondai wa juudai na eikyou wo ataeru kanousei ga aru

Este problema tem o potencial de ter um impacto significativo.

Esse problema pode ter um impacto significativo.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem"
• は - topic particle that indicates that what follows is the subject of the sentence
• 重大な - adjetivo que significa "grave" ou "sério"
• 影響 - substantivo que significa "influência" ou "impacto"
• を - partícula de objeto que indica o alvo da ação
• 与える - verbo que significa "dar" ou "conceder"
• 可能性 - noun meaning "possibility"
• が - subject particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ある - verb meaning "to exist" or "to have"

この問題はすでに納まった。

Kono mondai wa sudeni osamaru

This problem has already been solved.

This problem has already been paid for.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem"
• は - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• すでに - adverb meaning "already" or "now"
• 納まった - resolved or completed

この問題は解決策がダブる可能性がある。

Kono mondai wa kaiketsusaku ga daburu kanōsei ga aru

This problem can be a solution.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 解決策 - compound noun meaning "solution"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ダブる - verb meaning "to duplicate" or "to repeat"
• 可能性 - noun meaning "possibility"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ある - Verb that means "to exist"

この議案は重要な問題を解決するために必要です。

Kono gi'an wa juuyou na mondai o kaiketsu suru tame ni hitsuyou desu

This proposal is needed to resolve important issues.

This account is needed to resolve important issues.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 議案 - noun meaning "proposal" or "bill"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 重要な - Adjective meaning "important"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem"
• を - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 解決する - verb meaning "to resolve"
• ために - expression meaning "for" or "in order to"
• 必要です - adjective meaning "necessary"

この問題は厄介だ。

Kono mondai wa yakkai da

This problem is tricky.

This problem is problematic.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 厄介 - adjective that means "complicated", "problematic"
• だ - auxiliary verb that indicates the affirmative present form of colloquial language

この問題について論じる必要がある。

Kono mondai ni tsuite ronjiru hitsuyou ga aru

It is necessary to discuss this problem.

It is necessary to discuss this problem.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem"
• について - expression that indicates "about"
• 論じる - verb that means "to discuss"
• 必要 - noun meaning "need"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ある - Verb that means "to exist"

この問題は私の知識に当てはまるかどうかわかりません。

Kono mondai wa watashi no chishiki ni atehamaru ka dou ka wakarimasen

I don't know if this problem applies to my knowledge.

• この問題 - This question
• は - Topic particle
• 私の - Meu
• 知識 - Conhecimento
• に - Particle indicating target or location
• 当てはまる - Be applicable or appropriate
• かどうか - Whether or not
• わかりません - I don't know

この問題に対する措置を早急に取る必要があります。

Kono mondai ni tai suru sochi o sokkyū ni toru hitsuyō ga arimasu

It is necessary to take urgent measures regarding this problem.

It is necessary to take action against this problem immediately.

• この問題に対する措置 - measures in relation to this problem
• を - object particle
• 早急に - urgently, immediately
• 取る - take, adopt
• 必要があります - Is required

ややこしい問題を解決するのは難しいです。

Yayakoshii mondai wo kaiketsu suru no wa muzukashii desu

Solving complicated problems is difficult.

It is difficult to solve complicated problems.

• ややこしい - complicated, confusing
• 問題 - problem
• を - direct object particle
• 解決する - resolver
• のは - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 難しい - difficult
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present