You will choose between sorun, a word formed from a Turkish root, and problem, a borrowing from French. Their different origins do not create a neat division between everyday and formal language. Look at what the speaker is describing.
The idea
For a difficulty needing a solution, sorun and problem often overlap: bir sorun var and bir problem var can describe the same fault. Both occur in ordinary conversation. For a set maths exercise, problem is the conventional choice: matematik problemi. In reassurance, both sorun değil and problem değil can mean “it’s no problem”. Learn these combinations in context; a word’s origin alone does not determine its register. The linked accusative and verb lessons explain the object forms and çözmek.
| Context | Usual wording |
|---|---|
| Everyday difficulty | bir sorun / bir problem |
| Maths exercise | bir matematik problemi |
| Reassurance | sorun değil / problem değil |
Examples
- Bu sorunu bugün birlikte çözebiliriz.We can solve this problem together today.
- Bağlantıda yine bir problem var.There is a problem with the connection again.
- Bu problemi farklı bir yöntemle çözelim.Let’s solve this problem using a different method.
- Yazıcıdaki sorun yüzünden etiketleri basamadık.We couldn’t print the labels because of the problem with the printer.
- Yazıcıdaki problem yüzünden etiketleri basamadık.We couldn’t print the labels because of the problem with the printer.
- Ders kitabında iki matematik problemi var.There are two maths problems in the textbook.
- Biraz geç başlayabiliriz, sorun değil.We can start a little late; it’s no problem.
- Biraz geç başlayabiliriz, problem değil.We can start a little late; it’s no problem.
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Watch out
Do not automatically replace every problem with sorun. In a worksheet, üç problem çözmek normally means solving three exercises. Matematik sorunu can instead suggest a difficulty concerning maths. Conversely, calling a printer fault a problem does not make the sentence technical or formal, and neither noun tells you how serious the fault is.
Try it yourself
The file won’t open; there is a small problem. Complete the blank with sorun or problem; both may fit.
Show answer or example answer
sorun / problem
sorun / problem: the file’s failure to open is an everyday difficulty. Either noun describes it naturally; the adjective küçük tells us its size, so the choice of noun does not mark severity.
The students will solve three fraction exercises in this lesson. Choose the conventional term for a maths exercise: sorun or problem.
Show answer or example answer
problem
problem: the students are solving three assigned fraction exercises, so the established classroom term is wanted. The prompt asks for that term, not for a general difficulty with learning fractions.
Starting late is no problem. Reassure someone with sorun or problem; both may fit.
Show answer or example answer
sorun / problem
sorun / problem: the speaker accepts a late start and reassures the other person. Both completed expressions communicate that the delay is no obstacle here.
We can solve this difficulty together. Complete the sentence with sorun or problem, adding the required ending.
Show answer or example answer
sorunu / problemi
sorunu / problemi: bu points to a particular difficulty that we can solve together. Both nouns fit that meaning, and the specific object of çözebiliriz needs the accusative ending.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Turkish sentences and words where available. We keep your score.
The file won’t open; there is a small problem. Complete the blank with sorun or problem; both may fit.
The students will solve three fraction exercises in this lesson. Choose the conventional term for a maths exercise: sorun or problem.
Starting late is no problem. Reassure someone with sorun or problem; both may fit.
We can solve this difficulty together. Complete the sentence with sorun or problem, adding the required ending.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Write two messages about the same printer fault, using a different noun in each. Then write a maths homework instruction and a reply reassuring someone about a delay. Explain where either noun fits and where a conventional combination guides your choice.