dilemma
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dilemma
A difficult situation in which one has to choose between two or more unpleasant or undesirable options.
Sie steckte in einem Dilemma: Entweder sie verriet ihre Freundin oder sie verlor ihren Job.
She was stuck in a dilemma: either she betrayed her friend or she lost her job.
The word comes from Greek. The prefix 'di-' means 'two'. At its core, a dilemma therefore describes a situation with two difficult options.
Ich habe ein echtes Dilemma: Nehme ich den Job an oder beginne ich das Studium?
I have a real dilemma: should I accept the job or start my studies?
'Dilemma' is often combined with certain verbs. Typical phrases are 'in einem Dilemma stecken' (to be stuck in a dilemma), 'vor einem Dilemma stehen' (to face a dilemma), or 'ein Dilemma lösen' (to solve a dilemma).
Er steckt in einem moralischen Dilemma und weiß nicht, was er tun soll.
He is stuck in a moral dilemma and doesn't know what he should do.
To describe the two unpleasant choices in a dilemma, the construction 'entweder ... oder ...' (either ... or ...) is used very often.
Die Firma stand vor dem Dilemma, entweder Mitarbeiter zu entlassen oder Insolvenz anzumelden.
The company faced the dilemma of either laying off employees or filing for bankruptcy.
emergency situation
A Dilemma is a difficult choice between unpleasant options. A Notlage, by contrast, is a threatening situation in which urgent help is needed; it does not require a choice. Dilemma therefore emphasizes the decision, while Notlage emphasizes the acute distress.
Nach dem Einkommensverlust steht die Familie vor dem Dilemma, entweder die Miete oder die Stromrechnung zu bezahlen.
After losing their income, the family faced the dilemma of paying either the rent or the electricity bill.
Nach dem Einkommensverlust ist die Familie in einer Notlage und braucht dringend finanzielle Hilfe.
After losing their income, the family was in an emergency situation and urgently needed financial help.
