hikâyeler

Hikâyeler (singular hikâye) is a Turkish term that denotes stories or tales. The word encompasses a range of narrative forms, from traditional oral folklore to contemporary prose fiction.

Etymology and spelling: Hikâye comes from Persian ḥekāya/ḥikāyat, via Ottoman Turkish. In Turkish orthography the form is hikâye; the plural is hikâyeler. In everyday usage the diacritics may be omitted, yielding hikaye and hikayeler. Differentiation between hikâye and related terms such as öykü or masal varies by author and context.

Forms and genres: The term covers short stories (kısa hikâye) as a literary form and longer narratives. It also refers to halk hikâyeleri, or folk tales passed down orally. In modern Turkish usage, hikâye often corresponds to short fiction, while öykü is a close synonym that emphasizes narrative structure.

History and notable authors: The concept exists in Ottoman literary tradition; the modern Turkish short story developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries during the Tanzimat and subsequent periods. Sait Faik Abasıyanık is widely regarded as a foundational figure in the realist urban short story in Turkish literature; other prominent writers include Orhan Kemal, Sabahattin Ali, and Oğuz Atay. Folk hikâyeleri continue as part of oral culture and are collected in anthologies.

Cultural role: Hikâyeler are a central medium for exploring social life, morality, and individual psychology. They appear in magazines, anthologies, and school curricula, and have been adapted into films, radio programs, and stage performances.