Meaning
Asking about an issue.
Cultural Background
In Greece, this phrase is often the start of a 'parapono' (complaint), which is a common social ritual. Don't be surprised if the answer is long! Cypriot Greek might use 'Ποιο έν' το πρόβλημα;' or 'Τι εν το πρόβλημα;'. The 'είναι' often becomes 'έν'. Often mixed with English, you might hear 'Ποιο είναι το problem?' as a form of 'Grenglish'. In Greek startups, this phrase is used very directly during 'brainstorming' to identify bugs or market gaps.
The 'Which' Rule
Always remember that Greek prefers 'Which' (Ποιο) over 'What' (Τι) when the answer is one specific thing from a known category (like problems).
Watch your tone!
If you say this too loudly or sharply, it sounds like you are looking for a fight. Keep it soft if you want to be helpful.
Meaning
Asking about an issue.
The 'Which' Rule
Always remember that Greek prefers 'Which' (Ποιο) over 'What' (Τι) when the answer is one specific thing from a known category (like problems).
Watch your tone!
If you say this too loudly or sharply, it sounds like you are looking for a fight. Keep it soft if you want to be helpful.
Add 'ακριβώς'
Add 'ακριβώς' (exactly) at the end to sound more like a native speaker: 'Ποιο είναι το πρόβλημα ακριβώς;'
Test Yourself
Choose the correct interrogative pronoun to complete the phrase.
_______ είναι το πρόβλημα;
'Ποιο' is the correct neuter form to match 'πρόβλημα'.
Fill in the missing definite article.
Ποιο είναι ___ πρόβλημα;
'Πρόβλημα' is a neuter noun, so it takes the article 'το'.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
A: Η τηλεόραση δεν δουλεύει. B: ____________________;
This is the standard way to ask about a malfunction.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
Context: You are at a doctor's office.
This is the most appropriate and professional phrase for a medical context.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
What vs Which
Practice Bank
4 exercises_______ είναι το πρόβλημα;
'Ποιο' is the correct neuter form to match 'πρόβλημα'.
Ποιο είναι ___ πρόβλημα;
'Πρόβλημα' is a neuter noun, so it takes the article 'το'.
A: Η τηλεόραση δεν δουλεύει. B: ____________________;
This is the standard way to ask about a malfunction.
Context: You are at a doctor's office.
This is the most appropriate and professional phrase for a medical context.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, this is also very common and means 'What problem exists?'. It's slightly more informal.
Because 'πρόβλημα' is a neuter noun. 'Ποιο' is the neuter form of the interrogative pronoun.
No, many Greek nouns ending in -μα (like πρόβλημα, μάθημα, σώμα) are neuter.
You say 'Ποιο είναι το πρόβλημά σου;'. Note the extra accent on the 'μα'.
It's neutral. To be safer, you could say 'Υπάρχει κάποιο πρόβλημα;' (Is there some problem?).
Ποια είναι τα προβλήματα; (What are the problems?)
Yes, it is the most common translation for 'What's the matter?'.
Not always. It can refer to an emotional state or a logical disagreement.
You can start with 'Το πρόβλημα είναι ότι...' (The problem is that...) or just state the issue.
Yes, 'Τι παίζει;' or 'Τι φάση;' are very common among young people.
Related Phrases
Δεν υπάρχει πρόβλημα
contrastThere is no problem / No worries
Κανένα πρόβλημα
similarNo problem at all
Έχω πρόβλημα
builds onI have a problem
Λύνω το πρόβλημα
builds onI solve the problem
