في 15 ثانية
- Explains the cause of a situation using a specific issue.
- Commonly used in professional and public service announcements.
- Translates roughly to 'due to a problem' in English.
المعنى
This phrase is used to describe an action or situation that is caused or influenced by a specific problem. It's like saying 'due to' or 'because of' a particular issue you're facing.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Explaining a work delay
Le projet est retardé par un problème de budget.
The project is delayed by a budget problem.
Texting a friend about a late arrival
Je suis en retard par un problème de métro.
I am late because of a subway problem.
A formal announcement at a station
Le train est arrêté par un problème technique.
The train is stopped by a technical problem.
خلفية ثقافية
The French national railway (SNCF) is famous for its announcements. 'Par un problème technique' is a phrase every French person knows by heart, often leading to a collective sigh in the train car. In Quebec, you might hear 'à cause d'un trouble' instead of 'par un problème' in very informal settings, though 'problème' remains the standard. When dealing with French bureaucracy, 'un problème de dossier' is a common hurdle. It implies that a document is missing or incorrectly filled out. In West African French, 'problème' is often used emphatically. 'Il n'y a pas de problème' (No problem) is a cornerstone of social harmony and hospitality.
Gender Trap
Never say 'une problème'. It is the #1 mistake for A1 learners. Write 'UN' in big letters on your notebook!
Be Specific
Always try to add 'de + [noun]' after the phrase to sound more like a native speaker (e.g., 'par un problème de wifi').
في 15 ثانية
- Explains the cause of a situation using a specific issue.
- Commonly used in professional and public service announcements.
- Translates roughly to 'due to a problem' in English.
What It Means
This phrase is a simple way to connect an outcome to its cause. In French, par often acts as the bridge between a result and the reason behind it. When you say par un problème, you are pinpointing a specific hurdle. It is direct and clear. It tells your listener exactly why something happened. It’s the linguistic equivalent of pointing your finger at a glitch in the system.
How To Use It
You use this phrase to explain a delay or a mistake. It usually follows a verb or a statement of fact. For example, if your train is late, it might be causé par un problème technique. You can use it to justify why you didn't finish a task. It works well when the 'problem' is the star of the story. Just remember to match your articles if the problem is specific or general.
When To Use It
Use it when you need to be objective. It’s perfect for professional emails or explaining a situation to a stranger. Use it at the train station when checking schedules. Use it when texting a friend to explain why you're running late. It’s great for those 'life happens' moments. It sounds a bit more structured than just saying 'because.'
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for personal feelings or deep emotional excuses. It sounds a bit mechanical for that. If you forgot a birthday, don't say it was par un problème. That sounds like you're a robot! Also, avoid it if the cause is a person. You wouldn't say you're late par un problème if your brother took your keys. Use à cause de for more personal or negative blame.
Cultural Background
French culture values logic and clear explanations. Using par to show causality reflects this desire for structure. In France, bureaucracy is a national sport. You will hear this phrase constantly in administrative offices. It’s the polite way for an official to say 'the system is broken.' It shifts the blame from the person to the 'problem.' It’s a handy shield in a land of complex rules.
Common Variations
You will often see par le problème if the issue was already mentioned. Another common one is suite à un problème, which is very formal. If the problem is technical, you'll hear par un problème technique everywhere. If you want to be vague, you might just say par souci. But par un problème remains the most straightforward way to state the facts.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This is a neutral collocation. It is safe to use in both professional and casual settings. Be careful with the gender of 'problème' (masculine).
Gender Trap
Never say 'une problème'. It is the #1 mistake for A1 learners. Write 'UN' in big letters on your notebook!
Be Specific
Always try to add 'de + [noun]' after the phrase to sound more like a native speaker (e.g., 'par un problème de wifi').
The French 'Non'
If a French person says 'C'est un problème', don't give up. It usually means 'This is complicated, let's talk about it'.
أمثلة
6Le projet est retardé par un problème de budget.
The project is delayed by a budget problem.
A professional way to state a fact without blaming a person.
Je suis en retard par un problème de métro.
I am late because of a subway problem.
Short, clear, and very relatable in big cities.
Le train est arrêté par un problème technique.
The train is stopped by a technical problem.
Standard phrasing for public transport issues.
Mon email a été bloqué par un problème de serveur.
My email was blocked by a server problem.
The perfect excuse for a late reply.
Ma cuisine est envahie par un problème de vaisselle !
My kitchen is invaded by a dish problem!
Using formal structure for a silly personal situation.
Tout a commencé par un problème de communication.
It all started with a communication problem.
Used to reflect on why a situation went wrong.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the missing article (un or une).
Je suis bloqué par ___ problème de train.
Problème is masculine, so it takes 'un'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'The meeting is canceled because of a problem'?
'Par' is the correct preposition for the agent of the cancellation, and 'un' is the correct gender.
Match the problem type with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are common collocations using 'de' after 'problème'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Pourquoi tu ne manges pas ? B: Je ne peux pas, je suis gêné ___ ___ ___ de dents.
The speaker is explaining a physical limitation caused by a toothache.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Par vs Grâce à
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينJe suis bloqué par ___ problème de train.
Problème is masculine, so it takes 'un'.
How do you say 'The meeting is canceled because of a problem'?
'Par' is the correct preposition for the agent of the cancellation, and 'un' is the correct gender.
طابق كل عنصر على اليسار مع زوجه على اليمين:
These are common collocations using 'de' after 'problème'.
A: Pourquoi tu ne manges pas ? B: Je ne peux pas, je suis gêné ___ ___ ___ de dents.
The speaker is explaining a physical limitation caused by a toothache.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةIt is neutral. You can use it with friends or with your boss. For extreme formality, use 'en raison d'un problème'.
Because it comes from a Greek neuter word. In French, most Greek-derived words ending in -ème are masculine.
Only if you have already identified the problem. Otherwise, use 'un' for 'a problem'.
'Par' often sounds more like the problem is the direct agent of the action (e.g., 'stopped by a problem'). 'À cause de' is a general reason.
Yes, very. You will hear it in news, announcements, and daily excuses.
No, you wouldn't say 'bloqué par un homme' in the same way. It's for situations or technical issues.
That is 'Pas de problème' or 'Pas de souci'.
No, it's only for negative or neutral obstacles. Use 'grâce à' for positive things.
No, it can describe anything from a broken nail to a global crisis.
You can use 'souci' (worry/issue) or 'pépin' (glitch).
عبارات ذات صلة
à cause de
similarbecause of
grâce à
contrastthanks to
en raison de
similardue to
suite à
builds onfollowing / as a result of
