Signification
Having problems with money.
Contexte culturel
Discussing money is often considered 'неприлично' (improper) in polite society. Using this phrase allows people to acknowledge a problem without getting into the 'dirty' details of their bank account. The 1990s left a deep mark on the language. Many people use 'трудности' as a default state of being, reflecting a history of economic instability. In Russian business, 'финансовые трудности' is often a code word for 'we are waiting for a government subsidy' or 'the owner is moving money abroad.' Classic Russian literature (Dostoevsky, Gogol) often deals with 'маленький человек' (the little man) in dire need, but they used words like 'нужда'. Modern writers use 'финансовые трудности' to show the character is part of the modern world.
The Euphemism Power
Use this phrase when you want to sound like a responsible adult who is managing a situation, rather than a victim of poverty.
Case Sensitivity
Remember: 'столкнуться С труднОСТЯМИ' (Instrumental) but 'испытывать труднОСТИ' (Accusative).
Signification
Having problems with money.
The Euphemism Power
Use this phrase when you want to sound like a responsible adult who is managing a situation, rather than a victim of poverty.
Case Sensitivity
Remember: 'столкнуться С труднОСТЯМИ' (Instrumental) but 'испытывать труднОСТИ' (Accusative).
Adjective Pairing
Add 'временные' (temporary) to make it sound less scary to your boss or landlord.
Don't overshare
In Russia, once you say this phrase, people usually stop asking questions out of politeness. It's a great conversation ender.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'испытывать' or 'столкнуться'.
Многие малые предприятия сейчас _______ серьезные финансовые трудности.
While both are possible, 'испытывают' (experience) is the most common with 'трудности' in the Accusative case.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal business email?
How should you say you can't pay the bill yet?
This uses the correct formal register and the standard collocation.
Match the adjective with the context.
Adjectives: 1. Временные, 2. Затяжные, 3. Непреодолимые. Contexts: A. Bankruptcy is near, B. A short delay in salary, C. Years of economic decline.
Temporary (временные) fits a short delay; Prolonged (затяжные) fits years of decline; Insurmountable (непреодолимые) fits bankruptcy.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
— Почему ты не купил новый телефон? — Ну, у меня сейчас...
The plural form is the standard stable collocation.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Formality Scale
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesМногие малые предприятия сейчас _______ серьезные финансовые трудности.
While both are possible, 'испытывают' (experience) is the most common with 'трудности' in the Accusative case.
How should you say you can't pay the bill yet?
This uses the correct formal register and the standard collocation.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Temporary (временные) fits a short delay; Prolonged (затяжные) fits years of decline; Insurmountable (непреодолимые) fits bankruptcy.
— Почему ты не купил новый телефон? — Ну, у меня сейчас...
The plural form is the standard stable collocation.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsYes, if the conversation is serious. If you're joking around, it might sound too formal.
It's rare. Usually, we use the plural because money problems are rarely just one single thing.
'Бедность' is a state of being poor. 'Финансовые трудности' is a situation you are currently facing.
Yes, but 'финансовые' is much more common in modern Russian.
You can say 'Я на мели' or 'У меня голяк'.
Not necessarily. It just means you have problems right now. Bankruptcy is 'банкротство'.
Yes, but for countries, we usually say 'экономический кризис'.
'Испытывать' is the most professional choice.
No, it's a very polite and neutral way to talk about a negative thing.
You might use it to explain why a previous company closed down.
It's like the 'i' in 'hit' but deeper in the throat.
Constantly, especially in dramas about business or family struggles.
No, that sounds like a bad translation from English.
'Финансовое благополучие' (financial well-being).
Expressions liées
на мели
synonymto be broke / on the rocks
финансовый кризис
builds onfinancial crisis
дефицит бюджета
specialized formbudget deficit
денежный вопрос
similarthe money question/issue
жить не по средствам
contrastto live beyond one's means
