Ways to say it
| Bengali | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| সমস্যা | śomosśa | /ʃɔmoʃːa/ |
| ঝামেলা | jhamela | |
| মুশকিল | muśokil | /muʃkil/ |
| অসুবিধা | ośubidha | |
| প্রব্লাম্ | problam |
In Bengali, several words can be used to express the concept of a problem depending on the specific nuance of the situation. You can use সমস্যা for a standard issue, ঝামেলা for a hassle or nuisance, মুশকিল for a difficult predicament and অসুবিধা to describe an inconvenience. Additionally, the phrase সমস্যার সমাধান (Shomoshar somadhan) is used specifically when talking about finding a solution to a problem.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the nature of the difficulty: সমস্যা is the standard, neutral term for a problem or issue. ঝামেলা refers more to a hassle, nuisance or a complicated situation that causes bother. মুশকিল is used for a difficult situation or a predicament, often appearing in idiomatic expressions. অসুবিধা specifically denotes an inconvenience or a lack of ease or comfort.
How do you pronounce it?
śomosśa (pronounced /ʃɔmoʃːa/)
Did you know?
- The English word 'problem' and the Bengali word সমস্যা are actually linguistic cousins. Both words trace back to ancient roots that mean 'to throw', though they arrived in their respective languages through very different paths.
- While সমস্যা is the standard word for 'problem', in casual urban settings you will often hear the English word 'problem' adapted into Bengali phonetics as প্রব্লাম্.
Examples in context
- তাহলে তো মুশকিল আছে।Then there is a problem…This sentence shows how to use মুশকিল to describe a problematic situation.Tatoeba #2616031 by tanay, translation #1327 by Zifre
- একটা সমস্যা এখনো রয়েছে।One problem still remains.This sentence demonstrates the use of সমস্যা to state that a problem still exists.Tatoeba #5710736 by tanay, translation #4501719 by CK
- এতে আমার কোনো সমস্যা নেই।I don't have a problem with this.This sentence shows how to express that you do not have a সমস্যা with something.Tatoeba #12022409 by robingaspi, translation #679867 by ulyssemc1
- এখানে একটা ঝামেলা হয়েছে (Ekhāne ekta jhāmelā hoyeche)There's a problem here.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ishani and Rahul are discussing a project at work.
- রাহুল Rahulতোমার কি কোনো সমস্যা হচ্ছে?Tomar ki kono somossya hocche?Are you having any problem?
- ইশানি Ishaniহ্যাঁ, এই ফাইলটি খুলছে না।Hyan, ei file-ti khulche na.Yes, this file is not opening.
- রাহুল Rahulআমি সমস্যাটা সমাধান করে দিচ্ছি।Ami somossya-ta somadhan kore dicchi.I am solving the problem.
- ইশানি Ishaniধন্যবাদ, রাহুল!Dhonnobad, Rahul!Thanks, Rahul!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “problem” translations and entries সমস্যা, ঝামেলা, মুশকিল, অসুবিধা, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries মুশকিল, সমস্যা, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
