tutmak

Tutmak is a Turkish verb with a broad range of core senses centered on holding, keeping, and maintaining. The primary meaning is physical: to seize or grasp an object with the hand or to keep something in a position, for example tutmak bir koltukta oturduğu gibi bir şeyi elinde tutmak or kapıyı açık tutmak (to hold the door open). It also covers the idea of retaining or keeping something for a purpose, such as tutmak parayı bütçede veya bir malı saklamak, bir hediyeyi saklamak için bir köşede tutmak.

In figurative use, tutmak appears in common phrases that express mental retention or obligation. Aiçinde tutmak or aklında tutmak means to keep something in mind. Söz tutmak is a frequent expression meaning to keep one’s promise. Evi temiz tutmak or işlerini düzenli tutmak convey the sense of maintaining a state or condition, such as keeping a house clean or keeping one’s affairs in order. Tutmak can also appear in contexts describing management or handling of resources, for example fonları tutmak (to manage funds) or zamanı tutmak (to keep track of time).

Morphology and grammar: tutmak is a regular Turkic verb with root tut- plus verb endings. Common forms include tuttu (simple past), tutar (present third person singular, or general present), tutarım/tutarım (first person singular), and tutacak (future). The verb takes direct objects in many senses (tutmak bir şeyi), while fixed expressions may use it without a direct object (kapıyı açık tutmak).

Etymology: tutmak is native Turkish, derived from the root tut- meaning “to hold.” Its cognates appear in other Turkic languages, such as Azerbaijani tutmaq and Uzbek tutmoq, reflecting a shared semantic heritage.