güçlük

Güçlük is a Turkish noun meaning difficulty, obstacle, or challenge. It refers to a situation, task, or problem that requires effort to overcome and can denote mental, physical, or procedural hurdles. The term is widely used in both spoken and written Turkish. Common phrases include bir güçlükle karşılaşmak (to encounter a difficulty), güçlük çıkarmak (to create a difficulty or trouble), and güçlüklerle başa çıkmak (to cope with difficulties).

Etymology and form: Güçlük is formed from güç, meaning power or strength, with the suffix -lük that marks a state or condition. This construction yields a noun describing a state of being difficult or challenging. Related words include güçsüzlük (weakness) and güçlendirmek (to strengthen), though they differ in meaning and usage.

Usage and nuance: In literature and journalism, güçlük often describes practical or organizational hurdles in projects or procedures, such as bureaucratic güçlükler or economic güçlükler. It is generally used to convey a substantive obstacle rather than mere annoyance. Compared to synonyms, zorluk emphasizes the difficulty of the task itself, while zahmet suggests inconvenience or bother; güçlük emphasizes an obstacle that hampers progress. The antonym is kolaylık (ease).

Variations and scope: The concept is used across Turkish-speaking regions and, in related form, appears in Azerbaijani as güclük with a closely related meaning. While the word carries some formal tone, it remains common in everyday speech when discussing challenges or impediments.