Kütta

Kütta refers to a traditional Turkish and Ottoman-era unit of measurement for volume, primarily used for dry goods such as grains, flour, or other bulk commodities. The term originates from the Arabic word *qīttāʾ*, which itself derives from the root *q-t-t*, meaning "to measure" or "to weigh." In Ottoman Turkish, it was commonly spelled as *kütta* or *kütâ*, reflecting its historical usage in trade and commerce across the empire.

The exact volume of a kütta varied depending on the context and region, but it was generally equivalent to approximately 0.5 liters (or roughly half a kilo for certain grains). This made it a practical unit for everyday transactions, especially in markets where goods were sold by weight or volume. Over time, regional adaptations led to slight variations, with some areas defining it as slightly larger or smaller.

Kütta was widely used alongside other Ottoman-era units like the *okka* (a weight measure) and the *kavuk* (a liquid volume measure). Its decline in usage coincided with the adoption of the metric system in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, though remnants of its legacy persist in colloquial Turkish language, particularly in rural or older communities where traditional measurements are still referenced informally.

Today, the term *kütta* is primarily of historical and cultural significance, serving as a reminder of the Ottoman Empire’s administrative and commercial practices. It remains a subject of interest in studies of economic history, linguistics, and the evolution of measurement systems in the region.