How to Say ‘That's a problem.’ in Japanese
それは困りましたね。
sore wa komari mashi ta ne
[soh-reh wah koh-MAH-ree mah-shee tah neh]
💬 Usage Tip: Although 困りました looks past tense, here it describes how things stand right now: "that's a problem". The ね at the end shows sympathy, like "oh dear".
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is what a landlord or shop clerk typically says to show they're sympathetic before offering to help.
Phrase Breakdown
それは
sore wa
that
それ (sore) means 'that'. は is read 'wa'.
それはいいですね。
That's nice.
Words in this phrase
それ
sore
[soh-reh]
that
Refers to something just mentioned by the other person.
それは魅力的なお話ですね。
That sounds very appealing.
は
wa
[wah]
topic marker
は marks the topic of the sentence.
空席はありますか。
Are there any seats available?
困りましたね。
komari mashi ta ne
is troubling, isn't it
困る (komaru) means 'to be in trouble'. With ね, it shows sympathy.
雨で困りましたね。
The rain was a problem, wasn't it.
Words in this phrase
困り
komari
[koh-MAH-ree]
be troubled; be in a fix
Stem of 困る, to be at a loss or have a problem.
お金がなくて困ります。
I'm in trouble with no money.
まし
mashi
[mah-shee]
polite past marker part
まし is part of the polite past ending in ました.
予約をましました。
I made the reservation.
た
ta
[tah]
past tense ending
This ending completes the polite past tense form.
空席がございまし た。
There were vacant seats.
ね
ne
[neh]
isn't it?; right?
A sentence-ending particle used to seek agreement or add warmth.
すばらしい経験ですね。
That's wonderful experience, isn't it?
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