des vrai problème

You use it to categorize a situation. You can say 'On a des vrais problèmes' when a project at work hits a major wall. It often follows a realization. Use it to contrast trivial issues with serious ones. It works as a standalone observation or part of a longer explanation. Just remember to pluralize vrais and problèmes to match the plural des.

Use it when you want to be taken seriously. It is perfect for a meeting when a deadline is impossible. Use it with friends when discussing life's bigger hurdles like health or finances. It is great for texting when you are overwhelmed. It adds a layer of 'realness' to your conversation. It shows you are focused on the core issues.

Do not use it for tiny inconveniences. If you ran out of milk, that is not a vrai problème. Using it for small things makes you sound dramatic or 'extra.' Avoid it in very formal legal documents where specific terminology is required. Also, do not use it to dismiss someone else's feelings unless you want to start a fight. It can sound a bit blunt if used to compare your life to others.

French culture often values 'le réalisme' (realism). There is a cultural tendency to call a spade a spade. In France, complaining is a social bonding activity, but there is a hierarchy of complaints. By saying des vrais problèmes, you are moving the conversation from 'social venting' to 'serious discussion.' It reflects a pragmatic worldview where one acknowledges that life is not always easy.

You might hear un vrai problème for a single issue. People also say de gros problèmes for big problems. If something is truly catastrophic, they might say un grave problème. In slang, you might hear des vraies galères, which implies a messy, struggling situation. Each variation changes the 'flavor' of the difficulty slightly, but vrais problèmes remains the standard for 'real issues.'