Learn Italian: Il problema sembra difficile. - The problem seems difficult.

Il problema sembra difficile.

The problem seems difficult.

Breakdown of Il problema sembra difficile.

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Questions & Answers about Il problema sembra difficile.

Why is it Il problema and not La problema since it ends in -a?

Most Italian words ending in -a are feminine, but problema is a very common exception. Nouns ending in -ma that come from Greek roots are typically masculine. That's why it takes the masculine singular article il. Other common examples include il programma and il sistema.

Why doesn't the adjective difficile end in -o to match the masculine noun il problema?

While many Italian adjectives change to end in -o (masculine) or -a (feminine), there is a second group of adjectives that end in -e in their dictionary form. Adjectives like difficile use this exact same -e ending for both masculine and feminine singular nouns.

Since the current lesson is about stare, could I say Il problema sta difficile?

No. Even though stare can describe a state (like sto bene for "I am well"), it is strictly used for health, temporary physical feelings, or location. To describe a trait or say how something "seems", you must use a verb like sembrare (to seem) or essere (to be).

How would I make this sentence plural to say "The problems seem difficult"?