Skip to content

dilema

dilemma

noun dee-LEH-mah Rare

Origin: from Greek dilemma (double proposition)

Also means

difficult choice

Usage Note

Dilema is masculine, following the pattern of Greek -ma neuter nouns borrowed into Spanish (like tema, problema, sistema). It refers to a situation requiring a choice between two equally difficult options; estar ante un dilema ('to face a dilemma') is a fixed phrase.

Examples

"El médico se enfrentó a un dilema ético difícil."

Natural Translation

The doctor faced a difficult ethical dilemma.

Explore Spanish by topic