Problème is probably the most common way to say “problem” in French. But as you’ll see, it’s far from the only one! Knowing a variety of words to express different kinds of issues can greatly enhance your French communication, allowing you to convey nuance and avoid repetition.

Whether you’re facing a minor inconvenience or a major challenge, there’s a French word for it. Let's explore 9 different ways to say “problem” in French, so you can express yourself more precisely and naturally!

The standard 'problem' – problème

The standard “problem” – problème

Problème is the most common and straightforward word for “problem” or “issue” in French.

One crucial thing to remember about problème is its gender: it is a masculine noun, even though it ends in an -e. This means you'll use masculine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., un problème, le problème).

You can use problème in virtually any situation, from casual conversations among friends to formal discussions in a professional setting. It's the universal go-to word for expressing a difficulty or an issue.

There are several very common expressions using problème that you'll hear frequently. The most famous is probably “Il n'y a pas de problème” (There's no problem), a very common and reassuring phrase.

The reason problème is masculine despite ending in -e is that it originates from Greek words ending in -ma, which are typically masculine in French. Other examples include le système, le poème, and le thème.

The plural form is simply problèmes (adding an -s), and it remains masculine: les problèmes. Adjectives describing it will also be masculine plural, for instance, des problèmes urgents (urgent problems).

Unlike some French words that can have multiple meanings depending on context, problème almost always means “problem” or “issue.” There's very little ambiguity, making it easier to use correctly.

You don't need to worry about problème suddenly meaning something else, as might be the case with words like ami/amie. Its meaning is consistent across most contexts.

Don't overthink it! Problème is one of those French words that directly translates and behaves quite predictably once you've committed its masculine gender to memory. Just use it!

💡 * J'ai un problème. (I have a problem.)

Il n'y a pas de problème. (There's no problem.)

C'est un gros problème. (It's a big problem.)

Nous devons résoudre ce problème. (We must solve this problem.)

Les problèmes économiques sont complexes. (Economic problems are complex.)

The 'worry' or 'concern' – souci

In French, the word souci (masculine noun) is commonly used to express a 'worry' or 'concern'. It's a versatile term you'll hear frequently in everyday conversation.

While souci can mean a significant 'worry,' it often refers to a more minor 'concern,' 'trouble,' or 'issue.' Think of it as a problem that causes a bit of mental agitation.

One of the most common ways you'll encounter souci is in the phrase pas de souci. This literally translates to 'no worry' or 'no problem' and is a very polite and common way to say 'no problem' or 'it's fine' in French.

To express that you are worrying about something, the reflexive verb phrase se faire du souci is used. It means 'to worry' or 'to be concerned about something/someone.'

While souci covers a broad range, for a deeper, more profound 'anxiety' or 'dread,' the word inquiétude (feminine noun) is often more appropriate. Souci generally implies a less intense, more manageable concern.

Souci can also refer to practical 'issues' or 'problems' in a non-emotional context, like a technical glitch or a small obstacle. For example, "Il y a un petit souci technique" means "There's a small technical issue."

Understanding souci and its variations is key to sounding natural in French. It reflects a culture that often downplays minor inconveniences with a reassuring "pas de souci!"

💡 * Je n'ai pas de souci avec ça. (I have no problem with that.)

Ne te fais pas de souci, tout ira bien. (Don't worry, everything will be fine.)

J'ai quelques soucis financiers en ce moment. (I have some financial worries right now.)

C'est un petit souci, rien de grave. (It's a small concern, nothing serious.)

Le principal souci, c'est le délai. (The main concern is the deadline.)

The 'difficulty' or 'hardship' – difficulté

The French word for 'difficulty' or 'hardship' is difficulté. It's a fundamental term to express challenges or tough situations.

Difficulté is a feminine noun. This means it's always used with feminine articles, such as la (the) or une (a/an). Its plural form is difficultés, taking les or des.

This word describes a state of being hard or complicated, or an obstacle that makes something hard to achieve. It can refer to a general challenge or a specific hurdle.

You'll frequently encounter phrases like avoir des difficultés (to have difficulties), rencontrer des difficultés (to encounter difficulties), or sans difficulté (without difficulty), which means 'easily'.

While often interchangeable with problème (problem), difficulté tends to emphasize the inherent challenge or the struggle involved in overcoming an obstacle, rather than just the issue itself. For example, a math problem might present une difficulté.

💡 * Nous avons rencontré des difficultés. (We encountered difficulties.)

Elle a eu des difficultés à comprendre. (She had difficulty understanding.)

Il a surmonté toutes les difficultés. (He overcame all the difficulties.)

C'est une grande difficulté pour moi. (It's a great difficulty for me.)

Ils ont passé l'examen sans difficulté. (They passed the exam without difficulty.)

The 'trouble' or 'bother' – ennui

The "trouble" or "bother" – ennui

In French, ennui primarily means 'trouble', 'bother', 'worry', or 'difficulty'. It is a common false friend for English speakers, as the English word 'ennui' (meaning boredom or listlessness) is derived from it but has evolved to have a different primary meaning.

When a French person talks about avoir des ennuis (having troubles) or causer de l'ennui (causing bother), they are referring to problems, difficulties, or worries, not boredom. For boredom, the French typically use the verb s'ennuyer (to be bored) or the phrase l'ennui (the boredom) in a specific context.

Ennui is a masculine noun in French.

💡 * J'ai des ennuis au travail. (I have troubles at work.)

Il ne faut pas causer d'ennuis. (One shouldn't cause trouble.)

C'est un ennui de devoir tout recommencer. (It's a bother to have to start all over again.)

Sans aucun ennui, il a réussi son examen. (Without any trouble, he passed his exam.)

The 'minor issue' or 'snag' – pépin

In French, pépin (masculine noun) literally means 'seed' or 'pip' (like in an apple or grape). However, in informal language, it commonly refers to a 'minor problem,' 'hitch,' or 'snag.'

This usage is very informal and conversational. It's perfect for describing small, unexpected difficulties without sounding overly dramatic or formal.

You'd use pépin to talk about a small technical difficulty, a slight delay, or a minor inconvenience. It implies something that's annoying but usually manageable.

It's important to note that a pépin is generally less serious than a problème (problem) or an incident. Think of it as a small bump in the road rather than a major obstacle.

When a situation isn't going perfectly but isn't a disaster, reaching for pépin is a natural and authentic way to express it in casual French.

💡 * J'ai eu un petit pépin avec ma voiture ce matin. (I had a small snag with my car this morning.)

Il y a eu un pépin technique, mais c'est réglé maintenant. (There was a technical hitch, but it's sorted now.)

Pas de pépin, on peut y aller. (No problem/snag, we can go.)

J'espère qu'il n'y aura pas de pépin pendant le voyage. (I hope there won't be any issues during the trip.)

The 'headache' or 'tricky problem' – casse-tête

In French, the term casse-tête literally translates to “head-breaker” (from casser meaning “to break” and tête meaning “head”). Its most direct meaning is a puzzle or brain-teaser, something that requires a lot of thought to solve, like a Rubik's Cube. However, it's also commonly used figuratively to describe a headache in the sense of a complicated or tricky problem, a real nuisance.

When someone refers to a situation or task as un casse-tête, they mean it's a really difficult, intricate, or annoying problem that's hard to resolve. It's not necessarily a physical headache, but rather a mental one caused by the complexity of the issue at hand. Think of it as a problem that makes your head hurt from trying to figure it out.

English speakers might use phrases like “a real headache,” “a tricky problem,” “a tough nut to crack,” or “a logistical nightmare” to convey a similar meaning. It implies frustration and a significant mental effort required to overcome the obstacle.

The beauty of casse-tête is its versatility. It can describe anything from a complex administrative procedure, a difficult decision, a convoluted technical issue, or even a personal dilemma. It's a go-to expression for any situation that causes mental strain and vexation.

So, next time you encounter a problem that makes you scratch your head or feel overwhelmed, you can aptly describe it as un casse-tête. It's a common and expressive phrase that will help you sound more natural in French conversations.

💡 * Ce problème de maths est un vrai casse-tête. (This math problem is a real headache.)

La nouvelle régulation est un casse-tête pour les entreprises. (The new regulation is a headache for businesses.)

Monter ce meuble sans notice, c'est un casse-tête ! (Assembling this furniture without instructions, it's a real puzzle/headache!)

J'ai passé des heures sur ce casse-tête, je n'y arrive pas. (I spent hours on this puzzle/problem, I can't do it.)

Organiser le voyage a été un véritable casse-tête. (Organizing the trip was a real headache.)

The 'tough situation' or 'hassle' – galère

The French word galère is a versatile and commonly used term that describes a 'tough situation,' a 'hassle,' or a 'struggle.' It captures the essence of a difficult or unpleasant experience.

Often heard in informal conversations, galère expresses frustration or annoyance about a problem. It's more than just a minor inconvenience; it implies a significant challenge or a prolonged difficulty, reflecting a sense of being stuck or burdened.

You'll frequently hear it used with the verb être (to be), as in C'est la galère ! (It's a nightmare! / It's such a hassle!). It can also be used as a verb, galérer, meaning 'to struggle,' 'to have a hard time,' or 'to be in a tough spot.'

💡 *C'est la galère pour trouver un bon stage en ce moment. (It's such a hassle to find a good internship right now.)
*J'ai vraiment galéré avec mes devoirs hier soir. (I really struggled with my homework last night.)
*Le trafic, c'est toujours la galère le vendredi soir. (Traffic is always a nightmare on Friday evenings.)
*Après la panne de voiture, on a eu une vraie galère. (After the car breakdown, we had a real struggle/hassle.)

The 'pitfall' or 'obstacle' – embûche

The French word embûche translates to 'pitfall' or 'obstacle' in English, often implying a hidden or unexpected difficulty.

While it can refer to a literal trap, embûche is very commonly used in a figurative sense to describe a tricky situation, a snare, or a hidden problem one might encounter.

You'll often hear it in contexts related to challenges in projects, journeys, or arguments. For instance, éviter les embûches means 'to avoid pitfalls'.

💡 * Le chemin était semé d'embûches. (The path was full of pitfalls.)

Ils ont dû surmonter de nombreuses embûches pour atteindre leur objectif. (They had to overcome many obstacles to reach their goal.)

Attention aux embûches de la vie quotidienne. (Beware of the pitfalls of daily life.)

Ce projet rencontre plusieurs embûches imprévues. (This project is encountering several unforeseen obstacles.)

The 'hindrance' or 'barrier' – obstacle

The French word for 'hindrance' or 'barrier' is obstacle. It refers to anything that blocks progress or makes a task more difficult.

Obstacle is a masculine noun, meaning it is always used with masculine articles like un (a/an) or le (the). It can be both a physical barrier or a metaphorical challenge.

Common verbs often associated with obstacle include surmonter un obstacle (to overcome an obstacle), rencontrer un obstacle (to encounter an obstacle), or faire obstacle à (to hinder/obstruct).

While it can describe a physical barrier like a fallen tree, obstacle is very frequently used in a figurative sense to denote challenges, difficulties, or impediments in life, work, or personal growth.

💡 * Le chemin était rempli d'obstacles. (The path was full of obstacles.)

Ils ont dû surmonter de nombreux obstacles pour atteindre leur objectif. (They had to overcome many obstacles to reach their goal.)

La bureaucratie est un obstacle majeur à l'innovation. (Bureaucracy is a major obstacle to innovation.)

Ne laisse pas cet obstacle t'arrêter. (Don't let this obstacle stop you.)

La pluie a fait obstacle à nos plans de pique-nique. (The rain hindered our picnic plans.)

Are there other ways to say 'problem' in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say 'problem' in French. But the French language is rich with nuances, offering many other terms, from formal to colloquial, and even regional variations, that convey the idea of a 'problem'.

You can also do an online search for 'comment dire problème en ___' followed by a specific Francophone country or region to discover local expressions.

You might find many interesting synonyms for problème. Always make sure to check a word’s definition and try to see it used in context before you incorporate it into your vocabulary.

Pay close attention as you read, watch, and listen to French media — you're likely to discover various ways people express the idea of a 'problem' in different situations.

For an even deeper dive into the nuances of 'problem' and related terms in French, the WordReference entry for problème is an excellent starting point.

I hope this article has shed some light on the diverse ways to express 'problem' in French. To conclude, here's a thought from André Gide that reminds us of perspective: Le problème n'est pas le problème. Le problème est ton attitude face au problème. (The problem isn't the problem. The problem is your attitude towards the problem.)

9 ways to say "problem" in French