aç

Aç is a Turkish adjective that primarily denotes the state of hunger. It is commonly used predicatively to describe someone who has not eaten, for example, “Bugün çok açım” (I am very hungry) or “O aç” (He/She is hungry). The word functions as a straightforward descriptor in everyday speech and appears in phrases related to appetite and food.

In Turkish, aç is related to the verb açmak, “to open.” The imperative form of this verb is aç, used as a command meaning “Open!” as in “Aç kapıyı” (Open the door). The base adjective aç is distinct from related forms such as açlık (hunger) and açık (open, clear). The word aç rarely appears outside of hunger-related contexts when used as an adjective; for example, it does not normally mean “open” in the sense of a door or a window unless it is part of the verb phrase or a related adjective like açık is used.

Usage and variations: aç can take person and number endings in sentences, aligning with Turkish subject agreement (e.g., ben açım, I am hungry; o aç). It is part of common day-to-day vocabulary and is taught early as a basic descriptive term. Its antonym is tok, meaning full or not hungry, and it is frequently encountered in casual conversation, media, and language learning materials.

See also: açlık, açmak, açık, tok.