mekân

Mekân is a Turkish noun that denotes space, place, or location. It can refer to a measurable physical area such as a city block, a room, or a defined region, as well as to more abstract spaces—social, cultural, or figurative settings where events occur. In Turkish discourse, mekân is often used to describe how space is experienced and organized.

Mekân derives from the Arabic makān (place) via Persian, and entered Turkish through historical contact and literary usage. In modern Turkish spelling it is commonly written mekân, with a diacritic on the a to indicate a particular vowel length inherited from its etymology.

In geography and urban studies, mekân denotes the physical location of places and how space is structured or allocated. In philosophy and theology, the concept is used to discuss spatial relations, containers, and the way space can be perceived or interpreted. In literature and art, mekân refers to the setting or stage of events, shaping mood, character interaction, and narrative perspective.

Common phrases include mekân bulmak (to find a place or suitable venue) and mekân tutmak (to occupy a space). In everyday speech, mekân can also be used figuratively to describe intimate or familiar spaces, such as ev mekânı (home) or toplumsal mekân (social space).

In Turkish discourse, mekân is frequently considered alongside zaman (time) to discuss space-time concepts in physics, geography, and the humanities.