problema

1. Part of Speech, Meaning, Usage, and Example Sentences
Part of Speech — Noun (common, countable/uncountable); verb root in derivations such as mag-problema (“to worry / to have a problem”)

Meaning — “Problema” means “problem,” “difficulty,” or “issue.” It may refer to a concrete obstacle (money problem) or an abstract difficulty (relationship problem).

Usage — Very frequent in casual and formal Cebuano. As a noun it takes the article ang / usa ka / mga, or possessive markers (akong, iyang…). As a verb, it appears in forms like nag-problema ko (“I am having a problem”).

Example sentences

• Usa ka dako nga problema ang kakulang sa tubig. – Lack of water is a big problem.
• Walay problema, sir. – No problem, sir.
• Nag-problema sila sa bayranan. – They are worried about the payment.
• Ang iyang problema kay ang oras. – His problem is time.
• Nasulbad na ba ang imong problema? – Has your problem been solved?

2. Singular & Plural Forms (noun use)

• Singular: problema
• Plural: mga problema – used when referring to several distinct problems.

3. Where to Place “problema” in a Sentence
Cebuano clauses normally start with the predicate:

• Predicate-first (preferred): Dako kaayo ang problema sa kumpanya. – “The company’s problem is very big.”
• Subject-first (contrast/emphasis only): Ang problema sa kumpanya dako kaayo. – acceptable but marked for emphasis.
  When used as a verb root, it still follows predicate-first order: Nag-problema siya karon.

4. Common Collocations

• dako nga problema – big problem
• gamayng problema – small problem
• walay problema – no problem
• problema sa kwarta – money problem
• solusyon sa problema – solution to the problem

5. Detailed Usage Notes

• Intensity modifiers often precede the noun: grabe nga problema (“serious problem”).
• Verb derivatives: mag-problema, nag-problema, problemahon (to be a problem).
• In responses like “No problem,” Cebuano speakers say Walay problema (literally “There is no problem”).
• With possessives: akong problema, ilang problema. Plurals take mga: mga problema sa proyekto.

6. Common Mistakes to Watch For

• Subject-first order in neutral statements* without emphasis: Ang problema dako kaayo (allowed but less natural).
• Redundant plural markers (mga mga problema ✗).
• Literal English calques such as Aku problema wala instead of Walay problema ko.
• Confusing noun vs. verb: Nag-problema ang problema ✗ (nonsensical duplication).

7. Five Frequently Used Conversational Phrases

1. Walay problema. – No problem.
2. Unsa’y imong problema? – What is your problem?
3. Dako kaayo ni nga problema. – This is a very big problem.
4. Ayaw pag-problema, naa ra koy tabang. – Do not worry, I have help.
5. Nasulbad na ang problema. – The problem is already solved.

8. Five Simple Everyday Conversation Exchanges

1. Q: Nasulbad na ba ang problema sa wifi? – “Is the wifi problem fixed?”
   A: Oo, nasulbad na ang problema sa wifi. – “Yes, the wifi problem is fixed.”
2. Q: Giunsa nimo pag-atubang ang problema sa trabaho? – “How did you face the problem at work?”
   A: Gihisgutan namo aron masulbad ang problema sa trabaho. – “We discussed it to solve the work problem.”
3. Q: Naa bay problema sa bayranan karon? – “Is there any problem with the payment today?”
   A: Walay problema sa bayranan karon. – “There is no problem with today’s payment.”
4. Q: Nag-problema ba siya sa iyang grado? – “Is she worried about her grades?”
   A: Oo, nag-problema siya sa iyang grado. – “Yes, she is worried about her grades.”
5. Q: Kinsa’y makatabang sa problema sa printer? – “Who can help with the printer problem?”
   A: Si Mark makatabang sa problema sa printer. – “Mark can help with the printer problem.”

9. Multiple-Choice Dialogue Questions

Q1. Dako ba ang problema sa proyekto?
A. Dako kaayo ang problema sa proyekto.
B. Ang proyekto dako kaayo problema sa.
C. Ang problema sa proyekto dako kaayo.

Q2. Walay ba problema sa pag-deliver?
A. Walay problema sa pag-deliver.
B. Sa pag-deliver walay problema.
C. Problema walay sa pag-deliver.

Q3. Nasulbad ba nimo ang imong problema?
A. Nasulbad nimo ang imong problema.
B. Ang imong problema nasulbad nimo.
C. Nimo nasulbad ang imong problema.

Q4. Nag-problema ba sila sa kwarta?
A. Nag-problema sila sa kwarta.
B. Sila nag-problema sa kwarta.
C. Sa kwarta sila nag-problema.

Q5. Makakita ba tag solusyon sa problema karon?
A. Makakita ta’g solusyon sa problema karon.
B. Ta makakita solusyon sa problema karon.
C. Solusyon sa problema makakita ta karon.

Answer Key

1. Correct: A – Predicate Dako kaayo (“very big”) comes first, then subject phrase ang problema sa proyekto.
   B and C move subject or object before the predicate, breaking neutral verb-/predicate-initial order.
2. Correct: A – Walay problema (“no problem”) functions as the predicate and leads the clause.
   B emphasises the prepositional phrase at the front (marked), while C scrambles predicate elements.
3. Correct: A – Verb Nasulbad first, followed by agent nimo and object ang imong problema.
   B and C relocate agent or object before the verb, disrupting standard syntax.
4. Correct: A – Verb Nag-problema first, then subject sila, then prepositional phrase.
   B starts with the subject; C fronts the prepositional phrase – both are non-neutral orders.
5. Correct: A – Verb Makakita begins the clause; the clitic ta’g (“we…”) follows the verb, then object phrase.
   B puts the clitic before the verb; C fronts the object, causing awkward word order.