Sorun

Sorun is a Turkish noun meaning a problem, issue, or matter that causes difficulty. It is used for concrete difficulties as well as more abstract concerns and appears in everyday speech, media, and formal discourse. In Turkish, sorun can refer to personal problems, organizational difficulties, or broader social and economic challenges.

Common expressions include bir sorun var (there is a problem), sorunu çözmek (to solve the problem), and sorun çıkarmak (to cause trouble). The word also appears in phrases such as gündemdeki sorunlar (the issues on the agenda) and can be used in both singular and plural forms: sorun, sorunlar. It forms adjectives such as sorunlu (problematic) and sorunsuz (without problems), and it takes standard Turkish case suffixes, for example sorunun (the problem’s) and sorunlarım (my problems).

Notes on usage and nuance: sorun is a neutral to negative term depending on context and tone. It is a native Turkish word found across Turkish-speaking communities and in official language, education, journalism, and policy discussions. While it is closely related in meaning to the English “problem” or “issue,” its exact connotations depend on the situation, ranging from everyday annoyances to significant obstacles. In contrast with more technical terms, sorun remains a general-purpose word suitable for everyday and formal communication.