was ist dein Problem?
The English phrase "what is your problem?" is translated into German as was ist dein Problem?
The phrase is a confrontational question used to ask someone why they are acting annoyed or behaving badly. While it can be used literally to inquire about a difficulty someone is facing, it is most commonly used as a rhetorical, aggressive question to challenge someone's behavior.
Which one should you use?
While was ist dein Problem? is the standard way to express this, Was hast du für ein Problem? can be used as a regional variation. If you wish to be slightly less aggressive when asking why someone is acting strangely or being difficult, you can use the colloquial phrase Was hast du denn?
Is it said differently in some regions?
Was hast du für ein Problem? is a regional variation of the phrase.
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal phrase was ist dein Problem? uses the informal possessive pronoun dein (your), which is appropriate for a confrontation with a peer or someone younger. The formal version uses the formal possessive pronoun Ihr.
Did you know?
- If you use the formal version Was ist Ihr Problem?, you might actually sound more sarcastic or condescending than the informal version. In a heated confrontation, using the formal 'Sie' or 'Ihr' can be a way to create a cold, distancing politeness that mocks the other person.
- The word Problem entered German from the Latin 'problēma', which originally referred to a task or a puzzle to be solved.
- In German, if you want to ask 'what is wrong?' without being a bully, you should avoid the word 'Problem' entirely and use Was ist denn los?, which asks what is going on instead.
Examples in context
- Entschuldigen Sie, aber was ist Ihr Problem mit unserer Dienstleistung?Excuse me, but what is your problem with our service?
- Was ist dein Problem? Kann ich dir helfen?What is your problem? Can I help you?
- Hey, was ist dein Problem mit dieser Entscheidung?Hey, what is your problem with this decision?
- Was hast du für ein Problem? Ich verstehe deine Reaktion nicht.What is your problem? I don't understand your reaction.
- Hey, was hast du für ein Problem damit? Es hat mir nichts ausgemacht.Hey, what is your problem with it? It didn't bother me.
- Sag mir, was ist dein Problem?Tell me, what is your problem?
Example conversation
Maximilian and Hannah are arguing in the kitchen.
- MaximilianWarum schaust du mich so böse an?Why are you looking at me so angrily?
- HannahWeil du nie aufräumst!Because you never clean up!
- MaximilianJetzt ehrlich, was ist dein Problem?Now honestly, what is your problem?
- HannahMein Problem ist deine Faulheit.My problem is your laziness.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Problem, dein, was, CC BY-SA 4.0.
