voa慢速英语短篇文本 VOA单词故事-Problem

This week, we answer a question from Noel from France.

He writes, "Can you explain the difference between matter, problem and issue?

本周，我们回答来自法国的诺尔的一个问题。

他写道："你能解释一下matter、problem和issue的区别么？

In English lessons these three words come often in the conversation and I am never sure which I have to use.

Thank you in advance for the explanation and thank you very much for the daily news and lessons".

在英语课上这三个单词经常出现在对话当中，我从来不确定该用哪一个。

提前感谢解释这三个单词，也感谢每天的新闻和课程。"

-- Noel, France. Dear Noel,

——诺尔，来自法国。亲爱的诺尔：

As a learner of English you probably wonder: why does the language have so many words with similar meanings?

One reason is that some words are more common in formal or official settings than others.

作为英语学习者你很可能想知道：为什么英语中有许多意思相近的单词？

原因之一是有些单词比其他单词在正式或者官方场合更加常用。

Let me start with "problem," the least formal of the words that you asked about.

"Problem" is a word that you can use in many different situations.

我先从problem说起，它是你问到的三个单词里面最不正式的。

problem这个单词你可以用在很多不同的场合。

A problem is a difficulty to overcome or a question to solve.

We may say, for example:

它指的是要战胜的困难或者要解决的问题。

比如我们可以说：

The poor economy has caused social problems.

Or you could ask somebody this question if they look unhappy:

惨淡的经济已经造成了社会问题。

或者当别人看起来不高兴时你可以询问他们：

What's the problem?

There are many words that are close in meaning to problem, such as trouble or challenge.

有什么问题吗？

有很多单词和problem意思相近，例如trouble(麻烦)和challenge(挑战)。

A more formal word that sometimes has the same meaning as problem is "issue".

It can mean a topic or subject.

issue是一个更加正式的单词，有时候和problem意思相同。

它可以指话题或者主题。

At meetings, "issue" is used for an important problem that people debate or talk about.

You may hear political candidates use this word as in this example:

在会议上，issue指人们辩论或者讨论的重要问题。

你可能会听到政治候选人用这个单词，比如下面这个例子：

My opponent does not make clear statements on the issues.

We can also use "issue" to talk about things that a large number of people care about.

我的对手在这个问题上没有做出清楚的声明。

我们还可以用issue来讨论许多人关注的事情。

For example: ocean scientists spoke on the environmental issue of plastic pollution.

"Matter" is a more formal way of saying topic or material.

比如：海洋科学家就环境问题中的塑料污染发表讲话。

matter是表示主题或者材料更加正式的一种方式。

The word "matter" can have a more neutral or a positive meaning than problem or issue, as in: We will discuss the matter of awards in the next meeting.

matter比problem和issue意思更加中性或者积极，比如：我们将在下次会议上讨论奖品问题。

However, "matter" is also an informal way of saying "problem" when we ask a question like: What's the matter?

然而，在非正式场合，当我们问这样的问题时，matter可以替换problem：发生什么事情了？

When you are trying to decide which of the three words to use, ask yourself: How formal is this situation?

当你在考虑使用这三个单词哪一个时，先问自己：这种场合有多正式？

If it is informal, then use the word "problem".

When talking about a political subject or a debate topic, you may use the word "issue".

如果是非正式场合，就用problem。

讨论政治主题或者辩论主题时，你可以用issue。

If the situation is more formal or a legal discussion, or you are talking about something that is not a problem, use the word "matter".

And that is Ask a Teacher for this week.

如果场合更加正式或者是法律讨论，又或者你正在商讨一些不是困难的情形，就用matter。

以上就是今天名师问答的内容。

What question do you have about English?

Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com.

你有哪些学习英语的难题？

可以发送到我们的邮箱learningenglish@voanews.com。

I'm Jill Robbins.

吉尔·罗宾斯为您报道。

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