age-old problem
[/eɪdʒ oʊld ˈprɑːbləm/]
noun phrasepl: age-old problems
problema antiquíssimo
1. a problem that has existed for a very long time; a persistent issue that has troubled people for centuries or generations
Poverty remains an age-old problem that societies continue to struggle with.
A pobreza continua sendo um problema antiquíssimo com o qual as sociedades lutam.
2. a difficulty or challenge that is well-established and recurring throughout history
The conflict between tradition and modernity is an age-old problem in developing nations.
O conflito entre tradição e modernidade é um problema secular em nações em desenvolvimento.
This phrase is commonly used in academic, journalistic, and formal discourse in both American English and Brazilian Portuguese to describe systemic issues like poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and social conflicts. In Brazil, discussions of 'problemas seculares' often reflect colonial history and persistent structural inequalities, while in the US context, 'age-old problems' frequently reference disputes dating back to the nation's founding.
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →