probleem

Forms

probleem n (plural problemen, diminutive probleempje n)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin problēma (“task, problem”), borrowed from Ancient Greek πρόβλημα (próblēma, “problem, obstacle, question to be solved”), literally “what is put forward”.^[2][3][4] The Greek noun comes from προβάλλω (probállō, “to put forward, propose”), formed with πρό (pró, “before, forward”) and βάλλω (bállō, “to throw”).^[2][3][1]

Dutch first used the Latin form ⟨problema⟩.^[2][5] The form ending in ⟨-eem⟩ may have come through German Problem (16th century) or French problème (about 1380).^[2][3] De Vries and De Tollenaere derive it from German, and think the isolated ⟨probleme⟩ of 1650 was taken from French, perhaps only copied out of a French dictionary.^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

The word is first recorded in 1648, in the Latin plural: a writer is glad to hear that mathematics is not wholly neglected, as shown by 4 problemata solved geometrically.^[2][5][7] The first sense was a problem set in mathematics.^[5]

Semantic evolution

Until the 19th century Dutch used only problema in the singular, at first of mathematics and its applications, later of the exact sciences and technology.^[5] In 1830 the union of North and South was called dat schoone problema, a question to be resolved, and probleem itself appears in 1838 for problems of mathematics and mechanics.^[2] The general sense of a difficulty or social question followed: het probleem van de ongelijkheid in 1864, economic problems in 1902.^[2] In everyday use the word is also said, in jest, of a small complication that needs sorting out.^[5]

Indonesian has problém or problema, and Sranan Tongo problema, from Dutch.^[8][1]

Timeline

• 1648 – Problemata “mathematical problems” is first recorded.^[2][7]
• 1650 – The form probleme appears.^[2]
• 1830 – Problema is used of a political question.^[2]
• 1838 – The form probleem appears.^[2]
• 1864 – Het probleem van de ongelijkheid, a social problem.^[2]

Meanings

Noun

1. A problem, a difficult or unwanted situation, a difficulty: Ze zit financieel in de problemen.^[9][10][1]
2. A question put forward to be solved, a puzzle.^[9][5][10]

Word family

• probleemstelling
• probleemloos
• probleemkind

Related words

• English problem
• French problème

Usage notes

Geen probleem! is said when one is glad to do something for someone.^[9] Een probleem aansnijden, to raise a problem, translates French entamer une question.^[11] The plural is problemen; the Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal also records problemata.^[5][1]

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Philippa, Marlies; Debrabandere, Frans; Quak, Arend; Schoonheim, Tanneke; Sijs, Nicoline van der (2003–2009), Etymologisch woordenboek van het Nederlands, 4 vols., Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press; online via etymologiebank.nl
3. ^ a b c Veen, P. A. F. van; Sijs, Nicoline van der (1997), Etymologisch woordenboek: de herkomst van onze woorden, 2nd ed., Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale Lexicografie
4. ^ Vries, Jan de (1971), Nederlands etymologisch woordenboek, Leiden: Brill
5. ^ a b c d e f g Vries, Matthias de; Winkel, L. A. te, et al. (1882–1998), Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal, 29 vols., 's-Gravenhage / Leiden: Nijhoff / Sijthoff / SDU; supplement 2001; gtb.ivdnt.org
6. ^ Vries, Jan de; Tollenaere, Félicien de (2004), Etymologisch woordenboek: onze woorden, hun oorsprong en ontwikkeling, 23rd ed., Utrecht: Het Spectrum, p. 298
7. ^ a b Sijs, Nicoline van der (2001), Chronologisch woordenboek: de ouderdom en herkomst van onze woorden en betekenissen, Amsterdam / Antwerpen: Veen
8. ^ Sijs, Nicoline van der (2010), Nederlandse woorden wereldwijd, Den Haag: Sdu; with additions from the Uitleenwoordenbank (2015)
9. ^ a b c Van Dale Groot woordenboek hedendaags Nederlands (2014), Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale Uitgevers
10. ^ a b WikiWoordenboek (Dutch Wiktionary), nl.wiktionary.org
11. ^ Sijs, Nicoline van der (2005), Groot leenwoordenboek, Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale