evlat

Evlat is a Turkish noun meaning child or offspring. It is gender-neutral and can refer to one’s own child or to children in general. The term is common in everyday language as well as in literature and family contexts. The plural form is evlatlar, and possessive forms include evladım (my child), evladınız (your child), and so on. It is also used in compounds such as evlat edinmek, meaning to adopt a child.

In Turkish, evlat is closely related to family terms. It contrasts with torun (grandchild) and with üvey evlat (stepchild). The word evlatlık describes the status of a child who has been adopted or placed in foster care, whereas evlat generally refers to the child within a family context.

Adoption: Evlat edinme is the formal process by which a person or couple becomes the parent of someone else’s child. It is regulated by Turkish civil law and typically requires court approval and consent of the biological parents when applicable. An adopted child is referred to as evlatlık and gains a legal parent-child relationship with the adoptive parents through the process.

Etymology: The term is of Persian/Arabic origin, appearing in Ottoman Turkish as evlâd and continuing in modern Turkish as evlat and related forms. The word reflects longstanding Turkish cultural emphasis on kinship and family ties.