ジレンマ

English dilemma is the source form for Japanese ジレンマ, and Shogakukan writes the entry with English dilemma. The deeper source is Greek dilēmma, built from di- "two" and lēmma "premise" or "assumption." Merriam-Webster gives English first use in 1523 for the logic sense. Kotobank's Progressive English-Japanese Dictionary gives the original sense as being caught between two difficult assumptions. Digital Daijisen also lists the variant ディレンマ. In Meiji and Taisho Japan, the word is used in logic, philosophy, and translated academic writing before it becomes ordinary social vocabulary. Digital Daijisen still gives two meanings: a conflict between two opposing matters and the logical form called 両刀論法. In logic, that form uses two hypothetical judgments as a major premise. ジレンマ appears with 二律背反, 板挟み, 矛盾, and トレードオフ, but it retains a two-choice component more clearly than many general words for difficulty. Modern Japanese often uses ジレンマ for work, ethics, technology, and daily decisions after 1945 as well. English dilemma can mean a serious problem in casual use, but Japanese ジレンマ commonly expects a choice between incompatible options. The ンマ ending reflects the double m of dilemma. Example: 品質を上げると価格も上がるジレンマ describes a conflict between quality and price, not simple inconvenience.