Temeli

Temeli is a Turkish term that functions as both a noun and an adjective linked to temel, meaning foundation, base, or core. As a noun, temel refers to the underlying support of a physical structure or to a fundamental idea. In Turkish, adding the accusative suffix -i yields temeli, the definite form meaning “the foundation” or “the basis” when the object is definite, as in phrases like “temeli sağlam” or “temelini atmak.”

As an adjective, temel describes something fundamental or essential. Common usages include temelde önemli kavramlar (fundamental concepts), temel ihtiyaçlar (basic needs), and temel haklar (fundamental rights). The term is widely employed across education, science, law, and everyday speech to distinguish primary or core elements from secondary ones.

Etymology generally traces temel to Turkish origins, with some linguistic accounts noting a connection to the Arabic asas (“foundation”) via Persian and Ottoman Turkish. The modern form temel appears in Turkish usage from early modern periods and has since become a stable part of the vocabulary for both literal foundations and metaphorical bases.

In architecture and construction, temel literally denotes the foundation of a building, to which engineering and safety standards often refer. Metaphorically, temelin concepts or principles underpin arguments, theories, and systems, reinforcing the idea of a solid, operating base for broader structures of knowledge, policy, or practice.