Ihtiyaj

Ihtiyaj is a noun meaning need, necessity, or dependence. It is used across languages influenced by Arabic, including Arabic itself, Persian, and Urdu, where it is written as احتياج. In Turkish, a closely related form appears as ihtiyaç, reflecting the same semantic field. The term conveys a sense of requirement that can be practical (such as material needs) or abstract (such as reliance or dependence on someone or something).

Etymology and form: Ihtiyaj derives from the Arabic root ح-و-ج, associated with needing or requiring. The noun iḥtiyāj is formed in a way typical of Arabic-based terminology and has been borrowed into neighboring languages with minor orthographic adjustments. In Persian and Urdu, the word retains its Arabic spelling in script and is understood with similar nuance; in Turkish, the cognate appears with local spelling as ihtiyaç.

Usage and nuance: Ihtiyaj can refer to concrete needs (food, shelter) as well as broader dependencies (emotional, social, or spiritual). In religious or philosophical discourse, it often denotes human dependence on the divine or on greater powers. In everyday language, it functions as a formal or literary way to speak of necessity or requisite conditions, contrasted with more everyday terms like zaroorat or lazim.

See also: zaroorat (necessity in Urdu and Persian), lazim (necessary), and ihtiyaç (Turkish form). Related concepts include need, dependency, and requirement in linguistic and cultural contexts.