問題
もんだい
mondai
= problem; question; issue; matter
問題 (mondai) is one of Japanese’s most versatile nouns — it covers everything from a single exam question written on paper to a full-blown social controversy dominating the news. What makes it especially practical for learners is its negative form: 問題ない (mondai nai), meaning “no problem” or “that’s fine,” which Japanese speakers reach for constantly in daily life.
問題 carries three distinct but related senses depending on context. First, it refers to a question or problem on a test or quiz — the kind a teacher writes on a worksheet or that appears on a JLPT exam. Second, it describes a problem, issue, or matter requiring attention — a broken appliance, a workplace conflict, or a public controversy all qualify as 問題. Third, in its negative form 問題ない, it expresses that something is acceptable, fine, or not a concern, functioning as a casual all-purpose reassurance.
Distinguishing 問題 from similar words: 課題 (かだい) means a specific assigned task or challenge with an expected solution — closer to “assignment” or “challenge to overcome.” 事態 (じたい) describes the overall state or situation of affairs, especially when circumstances are serious or deteriorating. 問題 is the most neutral and broadest of the three.
The phrase 問題ない (mondai nai) is enormously useful and goes well beyond “no problem” as a polite reply. Japanese speakers use it to mean “that works,” “I’m fine with it,” or “don’t worry about it” — in conversations ranging from casual check-ins to workplace sign-offs. You can also use 問題なし (mondai nashi) as a slightly more clipped, matter-of-fact version.
Pay attention to the verb patterns 問題にする (mondai ni suru — to make something an issue, to raise a concern) and 問題にしない (mondai ni shinai — to let something slide, to not make a fuss). These are common in workplace and social contexts: 今回は問題にしない means “I’ll overlook it this time.”
問題 combines two kanji with complementary meanings. 問 (もん) carries the sense of asking, questioning, or inquiring — seen also in 質問 (shitsumon, question) and 訪問 (houmon, visit/call upon). 題 (だい) means a title, topic, or theme — appearing in 話題 (wadai, topic of conversation) and 題名 (daimei, title of a work). Together they form the idea of “a theme posed as a question” — something that is put forward to be answered or resolved.
Everyday use
パソコンの調子が悪いけど、修理に出せば問題ないと思う。
Pasokon no choushi ga warui kedo, shuuri ni daseba mondai nai to omou.
My computer is acting up, but I think it’ll be fine once I take it in for repairs.
Casual / Social Media
最近、SNSでプライバシーの問題が話題になっている。
Saikin, SNS de puraibaashii no mondai ga wadai ni natte iru.
Privacy issues on social media have been a hot topic lately.
Formal / Cultural context
試験の問題は全部で50問あり、時間内に解く必要があります。
Shiken no mondai wa zenbu de gojuu-mon ari, jikan nai ni toku hitsuyou ga arimasu.
The exam has 50 questions in total, and you need to solve them within the time limit.
Japan has a long tradition of televised quiz shows, and 問題 is the word at the center of them. On programs like Quizzes and variety game shows, the host dramatically announces 「問題！」(mondai!) before reading out each question — a cue that has become deeply familiar to Japanese audiences of all ages. This theatrical use of the word has given 問題 a faintly exciting, attention-grabbing quality in everyday speech as well.
The compound 問題意識 (mondai-ishiki, literally “problem consciousness”) describes a person’s awareness of and sensitivity to social or ethical issues — the habit of recognizing that something is wrong and worth addressing. It is frequently used in academic, journalistic, and activist contexts to describe the mindset behind social engagement. Saying someone has strong 問題意識 is a genuine compliment in Japanese intellectual circles, implying they think critically rather than accepting the status quo.