"这个问题很难。"

Translation: This question is difficult.

[Alison920660]

I've noticed a few sentences where Duolingo includes 很 in Chinese but doesn't include "very" in the English translation. Does that come across as strange to anyone else, or is this normal?

[AbunPang]

Chinese adjectives normally cannot function as a predicate (verb) without a so-called “adverb of degree” (very, really, completely etc.). So you cannot say *这个问题难, you need to add an adverb of degree.¹ 很 is the weakest of those, more a placeholder than anything else. It only becomes equivalent to English “very” when it’s emphasised, otherwise it should not be translated at all.

¹ Technically you can say 这个问题难, but only under certain special circumstances, so I’ll ignore those for the moment and just talk about the default case ;)

[Hedwigechouette]

Well explained. I agree. It sounds unnatural without it.

[Hedwigechouette]

"this problem is very difficult" wasn't allowed but should be

[MsAWhit]

That's what I wrote. I agree.

[Riven333]

"This problem is difficult" Still marked wrong as of 2019-04-01. Reported.

[kuyaC]

What's the difference between 问 and 问题?

[NathanRasm]

问 alone is the verb "to ask," 问题 is the noun "questions"

[IanMcFarla17]

'This question is hard' should be accepted (obviously).

[Eric492387]

"This problem is difficult" should be correct.

[LauraKarran]

问题 ( wenti / wèntí ) is composed of these characters: 问 (wen) , 题 (ti)
问 to ask, to inquire, to inquire after, to interrogate, to hold responsible
题 topic, task, problem, to inscribe, subject, title
https://dictionary.hantrainerpro.com/chinese-english/translation-wenti_problem.htm

Zhè bù shì yīgè wèntí.
– English translation: This is not a problem.

[DBf9DF]

The Chinese to English translations are inconsistent and often problematic. It is very frustrating.

[EthanWang824851]

My translation: "This problem is hard."
Reported 3-30-19, 4-1-19

[Babak346285]

Does anybody else feel like typing in English should not be a Chinese lesson or am I alone?

[Hfr75]

This is difficult question! Should be fine too