Gerilemeli

Gerilemeli is a Turkish grammatical form derived from the verb gerilemek, meaning to recede, retreat, or lag behind. It is created with the suffix -meli/-malı, which conveys necessity, obligation, or recommendation. As a result, gerilemeli is used to express that a given action or policy should retreat, withdraw, or move backward under specified conditions. In Turkish discourse, it appears mainly in formal or technical contexts such as policy analysis, strategic planning, or linguistic description.

Formation and function: The stem gerile- combined with the obligatoriness suffix yields gerilemeli. The form can function as a predicative expression (“X gerilemeli”) or as a modifier in noun phrases (“gerilemeli politika/gerilemeli strateji”). It signals normative guidance rather than a simple description of fact. Because it conveys obligation, its interpretation depends on the surrounding context, subject, and modality of the sentence.

Usage notes: Gerilemeli is more common in formal, analytical, or policy-related Turkish. It is not a standalone verb tense but a derivational form that attaches to a verb stem to indicate that retreat or reduction is advisable or required. It may occur in discussions of strategy, economics, military planning, or regulatory recommendations, where retreat, withdrawal, or regression is considered appropriate.

See also: Turkish grammar, -meli/-malı suffix, gerilemek, geriletmek, obligation modality, policy language.

References: Turkish language resources and grammars discuss the -meli/-malı construction and its use to express necessity in varying registers.