yükü

Yük is a Turkish noun meaning burden, load, or cargo. The form yükü is the singular accusative form, used when the load is the direct object of a verb. In everyday and technical language, yük can refer to physical cargo as well as figurative burdens, such as responsibilities or obligations.

Etymology and relations: Yük comes from the native Turkish lexicon and has cognates across Turkic languages, such as Uzbek yuk and Kazakh yuk. The word reflects a long-standing semantic field of weight, responsibility, and transport that is common to many Turkic tongues.

Usage and examples: In simple sentences, yükü marks the object of actions like carrying or loading. For example, Adam yükü taşıyor means “The man is carrying the load.” In logistical contexts, yük can denote cargo or freight, as in yükü gemiye yüklediler, meaning “They loaded the cargo onto the ship.” The phrase yükü hafifletmek is used to mean “to lighten the load/burden,” a common metaphor for reducing stress or obligations.

Semantic scope and related terms: Yük can be modified by adjectives to indicate weight or importance, such as ağır yük (heavy load) or küçük yük (small load). The related adjective yüklü describes something that is loaded or equipped, as in yüklü araç (a loaded/stocked vehicle). Idiomatic expressions use yük to convey social or personal burden, for example, yükünü omuzlarında hissetmek (to feel the burden on one’s shoulders).

See also: burden, cargo, load, Turkish grammar (accusative case).