Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Há algum problema?

In Portuguese, you don't swap words around to ask a question like we do in English. The verb há means "there is", and to say "is there?", you just use the exact same word and make your voice go up at the end.

The word problema ends in "-a". Why do we use the masculine algum instead of alguma?

It is a common exception! Many words ending in "-ema" or "-oma" (like problema, sistema, or idioma) are actually masculine. Because problema is a masculine word, we must use the masculine form algum.

How would I use the double negative rule to say "There isn't any problem"?

You would use the negative word nenhum (none/not any) along with não. Following the double negation rule, you say: Não há nenhum problema. You put não before the verb há, and swap the positive algum for its negative partner nenhum.

Can I use algum to make a negative sentence?

Yes, this is a neat trick! If you place algum directly after the noun, it takes on a strong negative meaning. So, saying Não há problema algum means the exact same thing as Não há nenhum problema (There is no problem whatsoever).