KŁOPOT Z KŁOPOTEM
The trouble with kłopot ‛trouble’

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this sketch is to analyze the semantics of the lexical units X jest zakłopotany Y-em ‛X is confused by Y’ and X ma kłopot z Y-em ‛X is in trouble with Y’. The author begins by establishing that there is no synonymic relation between the two units in question. Then, he takes up the semantic relation between Polish lexemes kłopot ‛trouble’ and problem ‛problem’. The author assumes that there is a hyponymy between them, and that the notion of discomfort is what makes them different from one another. The semantic analysis of the units X jest zakłopotany Y-em and X ma kłopot z Y-em shows that both items imply the need for X’s specific behavior. This feature differentiates them (especially the first one) from the unit X jest zażenowany Y-em ‛X is embarrassed with Y’. The final result of the discussion is a proposition of two tentative explications of the examined units. The initial hypothesis of the hyponymy between examined units has not been confirmed.

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