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.
problem
'das Problem' and 'das Dilemma' both describe difficult situations. 'das Problem' is much more general: it can be a task, an open question, or even a personal worry. 'das Dilemma' is more specific. You use it when you have to choose between two or more bad options. Learners may confuse the words because every dilemma is also a problem. But not every problem is a dilemma. A dilemma always requires a difficult decision.
Sie hatte ein Dilemma, weil sie Geld sparen musste, aber dringend ein neues Fahrrad brauchte.
She had a dilemma because she had to save money but urgently needed a new bike.
Wegen eines Problems mit dem Formular muss ich morgen noch einmal zur Behörde.
Because of a problem with the form, I have to go to the government office again tomorrow.