zaten

Zaten is a Turkish adverb and discourse particle used to indicate that something is already the case, or to emphasize a point by referencing prior context. It can convey inevitability, a sense of “anyway,” or a justification that nothing else changes the situation.

In usage, zaten typically appears before the main verb or clause, as in statements such as “Zaten bu işi bitirdik” (We already finished this task). It can also function as a sentence-initial discourse marker, for example “Zaten, bugün erken çıkacağız” (Anyway, we will leave early today). The word often provides a tone of inevitability or relief that the matter is settled, and it can also soften a comment by implying that further discussion is unnecessary.

Zaten is considered a native Turkish word that operates as a discourse particle in informal to semi-formal language. While it is common in spoken Turkish, its use is widely accepted in writing as well, especially in contemporary and editorial Turkish where directness and efficiency are valued. The term does not vary by tense or person; its role is to modify the entire clause it accompanies rather than to conjugate like a verb.

Examples:

- Zaten bu iş bitmişti. (That task had already been finished.)

- Zaten geç kaldık. (We’re already late.)

- Zaten onun fikri değişmez. (His/Her opinion won’t change anyway.)

See also: aslında, zaten beklenen sonuçlar, günlük Turkish usage.