Many of my students have come across this problem about the Chinese word 问题(wèntí). Does it mean a question or a problem? Let’s talk about the word 问题(wèntí) today.

The student's question stems from the fact the Chinese word 问题(wèntí) has three different meanings.

1.问题(wèntí) means a question that need to be answered. For example:

老师(lǎoshī)，这(zhè)个(gè)问题(wèntí)太(tài)难(nán)，我(wǒ)不(bù)知道(zhīdao)怎么(zěnme)回答(huídá)。

Teacher, this question is too hard. I don’t know how to answer it.

回答(huídá)问题(wèntí) to answer a question

小朋友(xiǎopéngyou)特别(tèbié)好奇(hàoqí)，他们(tāmen)总是(zǒngshì)有(yǒu)很多(hěnduō)问题(wèntí)要(yào)问(wèn)。

Children are particularly curious. They always have many questions to ask.

问(wèn)问题(wèntí) to ask a question

2.问题(wèntí) also means a problem or difficult that need to be solve.

我们(wǒmen)还(hái)没(méi)找到(zhǎodào)解决(jiějué)污染(wūrǎn)问题(wèntí)的(de)好(hǎo)办法(bànfǎ)。

We haven't found a good solution to the pollution problem yet.

解决(jiějué)问题(wèntí) to solve a problem

-你(nǐ)要(yào)去(qù)超市(chāoshì)？帮(bāng)我(wǒ)买(mǎi)一(yi)瓶(píng)牛奶(niúnǎi)可以(keyǐ)吗(ma)？

Are you going to the supermarket? Can you help me buy a bottle of milk?

-没(méi)问题(wèntí)。

No problem.

没(méi)问题(wèntí) no problem

3.问题(wèntí) can also mean trouble or something going wrong.

我(wǒ)的(de)电脑(diànnǎo)出(chū)问题(wèntí)了(le)。

Something is wrong with my computer.

出(chū)问题(wèntí) something goes wrong

Alright! 现在(xiànzài)你(nǐ)还(hái)有(yǒu)问题(wèntí)吗(ma)？Do you still have any problem about this word? 

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