cuál es el problema
/kwal es el pɾoblema/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'what is the problem' is translated into Spanish as cuál es el problema.
This phrase is a question used to ask about the nature of a difficulty or a conflict.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'which is the problem' because Spanish uses cuál (which) rather than qué (what) when asking to identify a specific noun like problema.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word problema is a masculine noun in Spanish, which is why the definite article el is used.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use qué es el problema instead of cuál es el problema. In Spanish, cuál is the correct choice when the question is asking to identify a specific thing from a set of possibilities.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if you ask cuál es el problema with a sharp tone, it can sound like a confrontation rather than a helpful inquiry.
- The word problema comes from the Ancient Greek word próblēma, which originally meant a 'thrown out' object or an obstacle.
- Although problema ends in 'a', which usually signals a feminine noun, it is masculine because of its Greek origin.
Examples in context
- ¿Cuál es el problema?What is the problem?Tatoeba #574334 by Shishir, translation #416891 by blay_paul
- ¿Cuál es el problema que su empresa está intentando resolver?What is the problem your company is trying to solve?Tatoeba #13304261 by carlosalberto, translation #13304245 by carlosalberto
- Hola, señor. ¿Cuál es el problema que está enfrentando?Hello, sir. What is the problem you are facing?
- Permítame preguntarle, ¿cuál parece ser el inconveniente que está experimentando?Allow me to ask, what seems to be the inconvenience you are experiencing?
- Hola, Luis. ¿Qué pasa? ¿Cuál es el problema?Hi, Luis. What's up? What is the problem?
- Oye, ¿qué te pasa? ¿Necesitas ayuda con algo?Hey, what's wrong? Do you need help with something?
- ¡Hola! ¿Cuál es tu problema ahora?Hello! What is your problem now?
- No entiendo, ¿cuál es el problema?I don't understand, what is the problem?
Example conversation
Mateo is helping Sofía with a broken computer.
- Mateo¿Cuál es el problema con tu ordenador?What is the problem with your computer?
- SofíaNo enciende la pantalla.The screen won't turn on.
- MateoDéjame ver si puedo arreglarlo.Let me see if I can fix it.
- SofíaGracias, Mateo, eres muy amable.Thanks, Mateo, you are very kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuál, el, es, problema, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
