Japanese for Intermediate Learners: Describing a Problem and Proposing a Solution
Learn to state a problem and offer a solution in Japanese using 問題は…です, 解決策は…です, 〜たらどうですか, and 〜べきです, with polite conversation practice.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
At intermediate level, you already describe situations and causes. This lesson focuses on the next step: naming a problem and proposing a solution. In Japanese, this often uses the noun 問題 (mondai, problem) or 課題 (kadai, issue/task), followed by 解決策 (kaiketsusaku, solution). The core frame is 問題は〜です (The issue is...), then 解決策は〜です (One solution is...). You can also suggest actions with 〜たらどうですか (how about doing...?) or state what should be done with 〜べきです (should do). Register matters: 〜たらどうですか is a polite suggestion, while 〜べきです is stronger and can sound directive. In conversation, Japanese speakers often soften proposals with かもしれません (might be) or と思います (I think). This lesson gives you reusable patterns and a short dialogue so you can discuss real problems and propose practical solutions without drifting into causes and effects.
By the end, you can…
- state a problem clearly using 問題は〜です or 課題は〜です.
- propose a solution using 解決策は〜です and suggest actions with 〜たらどうですか.
- use 〜べきです appropriately and soften it with と思います when needed.
- respond to a proposed solution politely in a conversation.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
問題は交通渋滞です。
The problem is traffic congestion.
mondai wa koutsuu juutai desu
Use 問題は when naming the main problem. 交通渋滞 is a common compound noun.
解決策はバスの本数を増やすことです。
One solution is to increase the number of buses.
kaiketsusaku wa basu no honsuu o fuyasu koto desu
解決策は…ことです turns a verb phrase into a noun phrase. 本数 means number of vehicles/services.
電車を利用したらどうですか。
How about using the train?
densha o riyou shitara dou desu ka
Polite suggestion. Use 〜たらどうですか after a past-tense verb form; it is softer than a command.
もっと自転車道を作るべきです。
We should build more bicycle lanes.
motto jitenshadou o tsukuru beki desu
〜べきです expresses what should be done. It can sound strong, so use it when you have a clear recommendation.
それはいい解決策だと思います。
I think that is a good solution.
sore wa ii kaiketsusaku da to omoimasu
Use this to agree with someone's proposal politely. だと思います softens the statement.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The basic frame is 問題はXです (The problem is X), followed by 解決策はYです (The solution is Y). X and Y are usually noun phrases. To make a verb phrase into a noun phrase, use dictionary form + こと: バスを増やすこと (increasing buses). You can also use 〜たらどうですか to suggest: バスを増やしたらどうですか (How about increasing buses?). For stronger recommendations, use dictionary form + べきです: バスを増やすべきです (We should increase buses). Example sequence: 問題は交通渋滞です。解決策はバスの本数を増やすことです。電車を利用したらどうですか。
When to use it
Use 問題は…です when you want to focus the conversation on one issue. Use 解決策は…です when you are ready to propose an answer. Use 〜たらどうですか for polite suggestions among colleagues or friends; it is not as direct as an imperative. Use 〜べきです when you want to state a norm or strong recommendation, but soften it with と思います: 〜べきだと思います. In formal writing or meetings, 課題 (kadai) may sound more neutral than 問題. If you are unsure, 〜たらどうですか is usually safe in conversation.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
最近、駅の周りで交通渋滞がひどいですね。
Lately, traffic congestion around the station is terrible, isn't it?saikin, eki no mawari de koutsuu juutai ga hidoi desu neそうですね。問題は車の数が多いことです。
Yes, it is. The problem is that there are too many cars.sou desu ne. mondai wa kuruma no kazu ga ooi koto desu解決策はバスの本数を増やすことだと思います。
I think one solution is to increase the number of buses.kaiketsusaku wa basu no honsuu o fuyasu koto da to omoimasuいいですね。でも、電車を利用したらどうですか。
That's good. But how about using the train?ii desu ne. demo, densha o riyou shitara dou desu kaA little context goes a long way
In Japanese conversation, proposals are often softened with と思います or かもしれません to avoid sounding pushy. 〜たらどうですか is a polite suggestion, but if said with a falling tone it can sound critical, so keep your tone gentle. In meetings, 課題 may be preferred over 問題 because 問題 can imply blame. When responding to a proposal, acknowledge it first with いいですね or なるほど before adding a counter-suggestion.
One thing to watch for
Using 問題は交通渋滞があります instead of 問題は交通渋滞です.
Try this instead: Use 問題は + noun + です: 問題は交通渋滞です. If you want to use があります, say 交通渋滞があります (There is traffic congestion), but that states existence, not the problem itself. For a problem frame, 問題は…です is clearer and more natural.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'The problem is the lack of parking' using 問題は…です?
Show a sample answer
問題は駐車場が少ないことです。
駐車場が少ないこと turns the clause 'parking is scarce' into a noun phrase. 問題は…です frames it as the issue. You could also say 問題は駐車場不足です, which is more noun-like and equally valid.
2Make a polite suggestion: 'How about reducing car use?'
Show a sample answer
車の利用を減らしたらどうですか。
〜たらどうですか follows the past-tense form 減らした. This is a polite suggestion. A softer alternative is 車の利用を減らしてはどうですか, which is also acceptable.
3Say 'We should improve public transportation' with 〜べきです, softened with と思います.
Show a sample answer
公共交通を改善すべきだと思います。
改善するべきだと思います is also possible, but 改善すべきだと思います is more common. Adding と思います softens the strong べき. In very polite speech, 改善すべきではないでしょうか is another option.
To describe a problem and propose a solution in Japanese, use 問題は…です to name the issue, 解決策は…です to offer a solution, and 〜たらどうですか or 〜べきだと思います to suggest action. Keep proposals polite and acknowledge others before countering.
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