مَسْئَلَہ
masalamasculine
The English word 'problem' can be translated into Urdu using several terms depending on the context, such as مَسْئَلَہ (masala). Wiktionary also lists مُصِیبَت (musībat) and دِقَّت (diqqat).
Meaning: difficulty (noun)
Ways to say it
| Urdu | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| مَسْئَلَہ | masala | masculine |
| مُصِیبَت | musībat | feminine |
| دِقَّت | diqqat | feminine |
| مُشْکِل | muśkil | feminine |
Which one should you use?
مَسْئَلَہ refers to a matter, issue or a logical problem, whereas مُصِیبَت refers to a calamity or a distressing trouble.
How does it change in a sentence?
While مُشْکِل is listed as a noun for 'difficulty', it is very frequently used as an adjective meaning 'difficult'.
How do you pronounce it?
masala
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers should be careful not to confuse the Urdu word مَسْئَلَہ (meaning issue/problem) with the Hindi/Urdu word 'masala' (meaning spice mix), though they are spelled similarly in Roman script.
Did you know?
- In spoken Urdu, people often use the phrase مُشْکِل ہے (it is difficult) as a polite way to say 'no' or to decline a request without being direct.
- The word مَسْئَلَہ is shared with Arabic and in Islamic jurisprudence refers to a specific legal point or a religious query seeking a ruling.
- In poetic Urdu, a 'problem' or 'difficulty' is often romanticized as a necessary part of love and longing, making words like مُشْکِل sound desirable in a ghazal.
Examples in context
- یہ ایک بڑا مَسْئَلَہ ہے۔Yeh ek bara masla hai.This is a big problem.
- میرا مَسْئَلَہ حل ہو گیا۔Mera masla hal ho gaya.My problem was solved.
Example conversation
Ayesha asks Hamza about his work progress.
- عائشہ Ayeshaحمزہ، کیا کوئی مَسْئَلَہ ہے؟Hamza, kya koi masla hai?Hamza, is there any problem?
- حمزہ Hamzaہاں، ایک چھوٹا مَسْئَلَہ ہے۔Haan, ek chota masla hai.Yes, there is a small problem.
- عائشہ Ayeshaمیں تمہاری مدد کر سکتی ہوں؟Main tumhari madad kar sakti hoon?Can I help you?
- حمزہ Hamzaشکریہ، میں خود دیکھ لوں گا۔Shukriya, main khud dekh loonga.Thank you, I will handle it myself.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “problem” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
