problematic
gb/pɹˌɑbləmˈætɪk/ us/pɹˌɑbləmˈætɪk/
B2
Anh
~ 6200
Các nghĩa
0 nghĩa
adjective
B2
property
1
causing difficulty or problems
Causing problems or making something hard to do or handle.
Mẫu sử dụng:
be problematic for [someone/something]
Lỗi thường gặp:
Learners sometimes use *problematic* as a noun in everyday speech (e.g. *We had many problematic*). In general English, *problematic* is an adjective (e.g. *We had many problematic situations* or simply *We had many problems*). Another confusion is using *problematic* for very simple problems where *hard*, *difficult*, or *a problem* sounds more natural.
Từ đồng nghĩa
troublesome (Emphasizes that something causes repeated or ongoing trouble; slightly more informal in tone.)
Từ trái nghĩa
straightforward (Describes something that is easy to understand or deal with, without causing problems.)
Cụm từ đi kèm
problematic situation
|problematic issue
|highly problematic
|potentially problematic
|prove problematic
|be problematic for
Chủ đề
daily life
|work
|society
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Ví dụ
- The new software update is proving problematic for older computers.
- Parking can be problematic in this part of the city.
- His visa status is problematic, so hiring him might be risky.
- These changes will be especially problematic for small businesses.
- A lack of data is particularly problematic when we need to make fast decisions.
Ví dụ cho người học
- The train delay was problematic for many people.
- This plan is problematic because it costs too much money.
- It will be problematic if the printer stops working today.
- Living so far from work is problematic for her.
- The weather was problematic for our trip.
adjective
C1
property
2
morally or socially troubling
Causing worry because it may hurt people or be unfair or offensive, especially in a social or moral way.
Mẫu sử dụng:
a problematic [attitude/statement/term]
Lỗi thường gặp:
Learners often think *problematic* here only means *difficult*. In social and political discussions, it usually means *harmful, unfair, or offensive in some way*, not just *hard to deal with*. For example, *a problematic joke* is not mainly a joke that is hard to understand, but one that may hurt or exclude people.
Từ đồng nghĩa
offensive (Stronger and more direct; clearly hurts or upsets people, while *problematic* can suggest more subtle or structural harm.)
Từ trái nghĩa
acceptable (Describes something that people find morally or socially okay, not causing serious concern.)
Cụm từ đi kèm
problematic behavior
|problematic content
|problematic stereotype
|deeply problematic
|socially problematic
|racially problematic
Chủ đề
society
|emotions
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Ví dụ
- Many viewers found the movie's portrayal of women deeply problematic.
- That term is considered problematic because of its racist history.
- The article raises some interesting ideas but its conclusions are ethically problematic.
- He apologized after people pointed out the problematic assumptions in his joke.
- Teachers discussed how to handle problematic content in classic literature.
Ví dụ cho người học
- Some people think this joke is problematic because it hurts disabled people.
- The ad is problematic because it shows a bad stereotype.
- Her tweet was problematic, so many people complained.
- That word is problematic now; we try not to use it.
- The book has a problematic message about men and women.
adjective
formal
C1
property
3
uncertain or open to question
Not clear or sure; people can argue about it because there is not enough information or agreement.
Mẫu sử dụng:
be problematic as [evidence/classification]
Lỗi thường gặp:
Learners may confuse this formal sense with the everyday meaning *difficult*. In academic or legal texts, *problematic* often means *uncertain, doubtful, or not fully supported*, not simply *hard*.
Từ đồng nghĩa
questionable (Focuses more on doubt or suspicion; *problematic* in this sense is often neutral-formal and tied to uncertainty or unresolved issues.)
Từ trái nghĩa
clear (Suggests that something is not doubtful or uncertain; it is easy to understand or agree on.)
Cụm từ đi kèm
chronology is problematic
|dating is problematic
|classification is problematic
|documentation is problematic
|evidence is problematic
Chủ đề
academia
|science
|law
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Ví dụ
- The exact dating of the manuscript remains problematic.
- His role in the negotiations is still somewhat problematic, as records are incomplete.
- The attribution of this painting to Rembrandt is highly problematic.
- Given the limited sample size, the study's conclusions are problematic.
- The legal status of these documents is problematic under current international law.
Ví dụ cho người học
- The true number of cases is problematic because we lack data.
- The author says the date of the letter is problematic.
- This theory is interesting, but the evidence is problematic.
- The result is problematic, so we must test it again.
- The name of the writer is problematic; we are not sure who it was.
Danh từ
technical
C2
entity
4
set of related theoretical problems
In academic writing, a group of connected problems or ideas that people study and argue about.
Mẫu sử dụng:
the problematic of [topic]
Lỗi thường gặp:
Learners sometimes assume the noun *problematic* is common in everyday English because they see it in academic texts. Outside specialized writing, speakers usually say *problem*, *set of problems*, or *problem area* instead of *problematic* as a noun.
Từ đồng nghĩa
problem area (Less technical and more general; *problematic* as a noun is strongly tied to academic and theoretical discussion.)
Từ trái nghĩa
solution (Represents a resolved answer, while a *problematic* is an open set of problems and questions.)
Cụm từ đi kèm
the problematic of representation
|theoretical problematic
|central problematic
|Marxist problematic
|political problematic
Chủ đề
academia
|philosophy
|education
Ví dụ
- The book explores the problematic of representation in modern media.
- Feminist theory has transformed the traditional problematic of the family.
- This essay situates the novel within the broader colonial problematic.
- The author reframes the entire problematic of identity and difference.
- He outlines the Marxist problematic that shaped early critiques of capitalism.
Ví dụ cho người học
- The writer talks about the problematic of race in this country.
- In this class, we study the problematic of power in politics.
- The article explains the problematic of climate change in poor nations.
- He uses history to rethink the problematic of modern cities.
- The teacher said the course will look at the problematic of language and truth.
Ngữ pháp
Dạng từ điển
problematic
IPA
GB/pɹˌɑbləmˈætɪk/
US/pɹˌɑbləmˈætɪk/
Âm tiết và trọng âm
prob - lem - at - ic (4 âm tiết)
Stress on 3rd syllable (at)
Các dạng từ
Adjective
- Base: problematic
Noun
- Base: problematic
- Plural: problematics
Họ từ
Forms
problematics
noun
Core family
problem
noun A2
Related words
problematically
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unproblematic
adjective
Advanced or less common
problematize
verb C2
Cách diễn đạt
problematic fave
1/pɹˌɑbləmˈætɪk fˈeɪv/
fixed phrase
informal
liked celebrity with troubling behavior
An internet slang term for a famous person, artist, or character you still like, even though they have done or said things that are wrong, harmful, or offensive.
Ví dụ
- That director is such a problematic fave; I love his movies but hate his comments about women.
- People were debating whether the singer had become too much of a problematic fave to keep supporting.
- She wrote a blog post about how to deal with problematic faves in pop culture.