ما المشكلة؟
ma al-mushkila?
The English phrase "what is the problem?" is translated into Arabic as ما المشكلة؟ (ma al-mushkila?).
This phrase is used to ask about the nature of a difficulty or a trouble.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ما (what) and المشكلة (the problem).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You can use the more formal version ما هي المشكلة؟.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Levant region (Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria), the colloquial phrase شو في مشكلة؟ is used. In Gulf Arabic (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates), you may hear the informal آيش المشكلة؟.
How do you pronounce it?
ma al-mushkila?
Did you know?
- The word مشكلة (problem) shares a root with the concept of 'entanglement' or 'knotting'. To have a problem is, linguistically, to have a situation that is knotted or tangled up.
- In many Arabic dialects, the phrase ما في مشكلة (no problem) is used not just as a response to an apology, but as a common way to say 'you are welcome' after being thanked.
- While ما المشكلة؟ asks what the problem is, adding the word يا before a person's name or title when asking this can either soften the question or signal intense frustration depending on the tone.
Examples in context
- ما المشكلة؟ma al-mushkila?What is the problem?
- أراك حزيناً، ما المشكلة؟araka hazinan, ma al-mushkila?You look sad, what is the problem?
- توقف الجهاز فجأة، ما المشكلة؟tawaqqafa al-jihaz faja'atan, ma al-mushkila?The device stopped suddenly, what is the problem?
Example conversation
Ziad sees Nour looking stressed while working at her desk.
- زياد Ziadنور، تبدين متعبة، ما المشكلة؟Nour, tabdeena mut'aba, ma al-mushkila?Nour, you look tired, what is the problem?
- نور Nourلدي الكثير من العمل اليوم.ladayya al-katheer min al-'amal al-yawm.I have a lot of work today.
- زياد Ziadهل يمكنني مساعدتك؟hal yumkinuni musa'adatuki?Can I help you?
- نور Nourشكراً لك يا زياد.shukran laka ya Ziad.Thank you, Ziad.
