ihtiyac

Ihtiyac (often written ihtiyac in non-diacritic contexts) is a Turkish noun meaning need, necessity, or requirement. It denotes something essential for existence, welfare, or functioning, and can refer to basic physical needs as well as social or psychological needs. In Turkish, ihtiyac is typically contrasted with istemek (to want) and with istek (desire). Gereksinim is a more formal synonym used in technical or academic language, while lüzum appears in more literary or archaic contexts.

Etymology: ihtiyac derives from Arabic ihtiyaj (احتياج) meaning "need" or "reliance," transmitted to Turkish via Persian and Ottoman Turkish. The modern spelling uses the Turkish alphabet, including the dotless i (ı) and the letter ç.

Usage: In everyday speech, phrases include ihtiyaç duymak (to feel a need) and ihtiyacı olan (the one who has a need). Common expressions are temel ihtiyaçlar (basic needs), ihtiyaç listesi (list of needs), and acil ihtiyaçlar (urgent needs). In economics and psychology, Turkish translations of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs are called Maslow’un ihtiyaçlar hiyerarşisi.

Cross-linguistic notes: In Azerbaijani and other Turkic languages, ihtiyac retains a similar meaning. In Turkish-language media and literature, it signals both tangible necessities and abstract requirements, depending on context.

See also: gereksinim, lüzum, istek, Maslow’un ihtiyaçlar hiyerarşisi.