probleem
Pronunciation
- /ˌproːˈbleːm/[1]
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
- A problem, a difficult or unwanted situation, a difficulty: Ze zit financieel in de problemen.[9][10][1]
- A question put forward to be solved, a puzzle.[9][5][10]
Word family
- probleemstelling
- probleemloos
- probleemkind
Related words
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
- ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
- ^ 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
- ^ 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
- ^ Vries, Jan de (1971), Nederlands etymologisch woordenboek, Leiden: Brill
- ^ 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
- ^ Vries, Jan de; Tollenaere, Félicien de (2004), Etymologisch woordenboek: onze woorden, hun oorsprong en ontwikkeling, 23rd ed., Utrecht: Het Spectrum, p. 298
- ^ a b Sijs, Nicoline van der (2001), Chronologisch woordenboek: de ouderdom en herkomst van onze woorden en betekenissen, Amsterdam / Antwerpen: Veen
- ^ Sijs, Nicoline van der (2010), Nederlandse woorden wereldwijd, Den Haag: Sdu; with additions from the Uitleenwoordenbank (2015)
- ^ a b c Van Dale Groot woordenboek hedendaags Nederlands (2014), Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale Uitgevers
- ^ a b WikiWoordenboek (Dutch Wiktionary), nl.wiktionary.org
- ^ Sijs, Nicoline van der (2005), Groot leenwoordenboek, Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale