B1 Collocation Neutral 2 min de lectura

face problem

يواجه مشكلة

Use this phrase to show you are aware of a challenge and ready to address it directly.

En 15 segundos

  • To encounter and acknowledge a difficulty directly.
  • Used for both minor glitches and major life obstacles.
  • Implies a brave or realistic attitude toward trouble.

Significado

This phrase describes the moment you encounter a challenge or a difficult situation that you must deal with. It is like standing right in front of a wall and realizing you need to find a way over it.

Ejemplos clave

3 de 6
1

At the office

We might face a problem if the shipment doesn't arrive by Friday.

قد نواجه مشكلة إذا لم تصل الشحنة بحلول يوم الجمعة.

💼
2

Talking to a friend about a car

I'm facing a problem with my engine; it makes a weird clicking sound.

أواجه مشكلة في محرك سيارتي؛ إنه يصدر صوت نقر غريب.

😊
3

Texting a partner

Hey, I'm facing a problem at work, so I'll be home late tonight.

مهلاً، أنا أواجه مشكلة في العمل، لذا سأصل إلى المنزل متأخراً الليلة.

🤝
🌍

Contexto cultural

The phrase reflects a Western cultural emphasis on directness and personal accountability. It stems from the physical act of turning one's face toward a threat rather than turning one's back to flee. In business culture, 'facing' a problem is the first step in the 'Identify-Analyze-Solve' workflow.

💡

Softening the Blow

If you want to sound less scary in a meeting, say 'We are facing a bit of a challenge' instead of 'problem'.

⚠️

Don't 'Face to'!

A common mistake is saying 'face to a problem.' In English, you face the problem directly. No 'to' needed!

En 15 segundos

  • To encounter and acknowledge a difficulty directly.
  • Used for both minor glitches and major life obstacles.
  • Implies a brave or realistic attitude toward trouble.

What It Means

To face a problem means you are no longer ignoring a difficulty. You are looking it right in the eye. It is the moment of realization. You might have a flat tire or a broken laptop. Now, you have to handle it. It is about confrontation and awareness.

How To Use It

You use this as a verb phrase. You can say you face a problem or you are facing a problem. It works well with time words. For example, 'We faced a problem yesterday.' It is very flexible. You can use it for small things like a lost key. You can also use it for huge life changes. It sounds active and brave.

When To Use It

Use it when you want to be direct. It is great for work meetings. 'We are facing a problem with the budget.' Use it with friends when being honest. 'I'm facing a problem with my new roommate.' It works in emails, texts, and speeches. It is a very 'all-purpose' expression. It shows you are realistic about the situation.

When NOT To Use It

Don't use it for tiny inconveniences that aren't really 'problems.' If you drop your pen, you don't face a problem. You just pick it up. Also, avoid it if the situation is a secret. Saying it out loud makes the issue feel official. If you want to be vague, say 'something came up' instead. It can sound a bit heavy for a lighthearted party vibe.

Cultural Background

In English-speaking cultures, 'facing' things is seen as a sign of strength. We value people who don't run away from trouble. There is a sense of 'taking the bull by the horns.' By saying you face a problem, you sound like a problem-solver. It implies that you are ready to take the next step toward a solution.

Common Variations

You will often hear face a challenge or face an issue. These are slightly softer. If the problem is huge, we say face a crisis. If you are doing it with someone else, you face the problem together. If you are avoiding it, people might tell you to face your problems instead of hiding. It’s all about being bold.

Notas de uso

This is a highly versatile collocation. It fits perfectly in business reports, casual texts, and academic writing. Just remember that it focuses on the *encounter* with the problem.

💡

Softening the Blow

If you want to sound less scary in a meeting, say 'We are facing a bit of a challenge' instead of 'problem'.

⚠️

Don't 'Face to'!

A common mistake is saying 'face to a problem.' In English, you face the problem directly. No 'to' needed!

💬

The 'Face' Metaphor

English uses 'face' for many things involving courage, like 'face your fears' or 'face the music' (accepting punishment).

Ejemplos

6
#1 At the office
💼

We might face a problem if the shipment doesn't arrive by Friday.

قد نواجه مشكلة إذا لم تصل الشحنة بحلول يوم الجمعة.

Used to predict a future obstacle in a professional way.

#2 Talking to a friend about a car
😊

I'm facing a problem with my engine; it makes a weird clicking sound.

أواجه مشكلة في محرك سيارتي؛ إنه يصدر صوت نقر غريب.

Describing a current technical issue in a casual conversation.

#3 Texting a partner
🤝

Hey, I'm facing a problem at work, so I'll be home late tonight.

مهلاً، أنا أواجه مشكلة في العمل، لذا سأصل إلى المنزل متأخراً الليلة.

A quick update to explain a delay.

#4 A humorous life moment
😄

I faced a major problem this morning: we ran out of coffee beans.

واجهت مشكلة كبيرة هذا الصباح: لقد نفدت حبوب القهوة.

Using 'major problem' for something small creates a funny, dramatic effect.

#5 A serious heart-to-heart
💭

You can't keep running away; you need to face the problem.

لا يمكنك الاستمرار في الهروب؛ عليك أن تواجه المشكلة.

Giving serious advice to someone avoiding their issues.

#6 In a formal presentation
👔

Our company faced many problems last year, but we overcame them all.

واجهت شركتنا العديد من المشاكل العام الماضي، لكننا تغلبنا عليها جميعاً.

Reflecting on past challenges in a formal setting.

Ponte a prueba

Choose the correct form of the phrase to complete the sentence.

If we don't save money now, we will ___ a problem later.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: face

We use the base form 'face' after the auxiliary verb 'will' for the future tense.

Complete the sentence to describe a current situation.

The team is currently ___ a problem with the new software.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: facing

We use 'facing' because the sentence describes an ongoing action (present continuous).

🎉 Puntuación: /2

Ayudas visuales

Formality of 'Face a Problem'

Informal

Talking to family about small issues.

I'm facing a bit of a snag.

Neutral

Standard daily use in most situations.

We are facing a problem.

Formal

Official reports or serious speeches.

The organization faces significant challenges.

When to say 'Face a Problem'

Face a Problem
💻

Technical Issues

My computer won't start.

💰

Financial Trouble

The budget is too low.

🤝

Relationship Talk

We need to talk about us.

✈️

Travel Delays

The flight was canceled.

Preguntas frecuentes

11 preguntas

Yes, it is very neutral and polite. It is a standard way to describe a difficulty without being rude or overly emotional.

'Confront' is much stronger and sounds more aggressive. Use face a problem for general situations and confront for people or very serious conflicts.

Have a problem is passive; it just exists. Face a problem is active; it implies you are looking at it and dealing with it.

Not usually. You don't 'face a person' unless you are literally standing in front of them or confronting them. Usually, you face a 'situation' or 'problem'.

Absolutely! Telling a story about how you faced a problem and solved it is a great way to impress an interviewer.

Simply use 'faced.' For example: 'When I lived in London, I faced a problem with the high rent.'

Yes, that is a very common and slightly more formal variation. It works exactly the same way.

Yes, it is used globally in all major English dialects, including British, American, and Australian English.

You can, but it might sound a bit dramatic. It's better for things that actually require some effort to fix.

That is a separate idiom meaning 'let's be honest about the truth,' even if the truth is unpleasant.

Yes, face up to is a phrasal verb that means to finally accept a difficult truth that you were avoiding.

Frases relacionadas

deal with a problem

To take action to solve a difficulty.

run into trouble

To unexpectedly experience a problem.

tackle an issue

To start working hard to solve a specific problem.

overcome an obstacle

To successfully get past a difficulty.

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