Reading Theme:
Trouble: Meaning, Usage, and Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：difficulty (trouble)
trouble
/ˈtrʌb.əl/
n., v.
problems or difficulties that make you worried or cause inconvenience.
difficulty
➕
/ˈdɪf.ɪ.kəl.ti/
n., v.
A state of distress, difficulty, or inconvenience that causes worry or frustration.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old French 'trouble', Latin 'turbula' (disorder), related to 'turba' (crowd).
💡 Mnemonic
Trouble is like a 'troubled' puddle—muddy and hard to see through.
📖 Example
I'm having trouble with my computer; it keeps shutting down unexpectedly.
I'm experiencing difficulty with my computer; it keeps unexpectedly shutting down.
🔗 Collocations
be in trouble – to be in a difficult or problematic situation
get into trouble – to become involved in a problematic situation
have trouble with – to experience difficulty with something
🔄 Synonyms
difficulty (n.) – A situation requiring great effort to deal with
problem (n.) – A matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful
hardship (n.) – Severe suffering or privation
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
troublesome (adj.) – Causing difficulty or annoyance
troubled (adj.) – Feeling or showing distress or anxiety
troublemaker (n.) – A person who habitually causes difficulty or problems
📖 Cultural Story
From Latin 'turba' (crowd), meaning confusion; evolved in Old French to denote distress. Used in modern English for any kind of difficulty.
Meaning 2：bother (trouble)
trouble
/ˈtrʌb.əl/
n., v.
to cause someone to feel worried or annoyed; to inconvenience someone.
bother
➕
/ˈbɑðər/
n., v.
To cause someone worry, distress, or inconvenience; to disturb.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
May I trouble you for a moment? I need your advice on this email.
May I bother you for a moment? I need your advice on this email.
🔗 Collocations
trouble someone for something – to ask for something in a way that may disturb
don't trouble yourself – do not go to any effort or cause yourself inconvenience
trouble to do something – to make an effort to do something, often with reluctance
🔄 Synonyms
disturb (v.) – To interrupt the peace or order of someone
bother (v.) – To cause trouble or annoyance to someone
inconvenience (v.) – To cause difficulty or discomfort to someone
🚫 Antonyms
help (v.) – To make it easier for someone to do something
assist (v.) – To give support or aid to someone
accommodate (v.) – To do a favor or provide what is needed
🌱 Derivatives
troubling (adj.) – Causing distress or worry
troubled (adj.) – Experiencing problems or anxiety
troublesome (adj.) – Causing difficulty or annoyance
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