üstü

Üstü is a Turkish noun meaning the upper surface or top side of an object. It is used to refer to the exterior, upper part, or lid of something, often in constructions that indicate possession or association with another noun. For example, mansın üstü would be used in a phrase like masanın üstü to mean “the top of the table,” or kutunun üstü for “the top of the box.” The term is productive in everyday language for describing location or condition of the upper part of things.

Usage and grammar notes:

- Üstü typically appears after a noun in a genitive construction, as in masanın üstü (the top of the table) or arabanın üstü (the top of the car).

- It can refer to a physical lid, cover, or upper surface. In non-physical senses, it may appear in idiomatic expressions describing tacitness or openness.

Idioms and expressions:

- Üstü kapalı is a common Turkish idiom meaning something is stated indirectly or implicitly rather than openly. It conveys subtext without explicit wording.

- Üstü açık can describe something that is open on top or not covered, and it is sometimes used metaphorically to indicate transparency or lack of concealment in a situation.

Related notes:

- Üstü is distinct from the base adjective üst, which also conveys “upper” or “top,” but used as a noun here to denote the surface itself rather than the attribute.

- The term appears across Turkish literature and everyday speech in both literal descriptions of objects and in metaphorical or idiomatic contexts.