quel est le problème ?
The English phrase "what is the problem?" is translated into French as quel est le problème ?
A question used to ask about the nature of a difficulty or a trouble.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of quel (which), est (is), le (the) and problème (problem).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more colloquial or informal way to say "What's the problem?", you can use C'est quoi le problème ?
How does it change in a sentence?
The word quel must be masculine singular to agree with the masculine noun problème.
Did you know?
- In many French-speaking regions, asking Quel est le problème ? can sound much more confrontational or aggressive than the English 'What is the problem?', depending on your tone.
- The word problème originates from the Ancient Greek word πρόβλημα, which literally meant an 'obstacle'.
- In French, problème is always a masculine noun, even though it ends in 'e', which often marks feminine words in English-learner's eyes.
Examples in context
- Quel est le problème avec votre ordinateur ?What is the problem with your computer?
- Je ne comprends pas, quel est le problème ?I don't understand, what is the problem?
Example conversation
Manon notices Hugo looks upset.
- ManonTu as l'air triste. Quel est le problème ?You look sad. What is the problem?
- HugoJe ne trouve plus mes clés.I can't find my keys anymore.
- ManonEst-ce qu'elles sont dans ton sac ?Are they in your bag?
- HugoNon, elles n'y sont pas.No, they are not there.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries est, le, problème, quel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
