zorunlu

Zorunlu is a Turkish adjective meaning mandatory, compulsory, or obligatory. It is used to describe requirements, rules, or conditions that must be followed, often in legal, administrative, educational, or policy contexts. The term implies that noncompliance is not voluntary and may carry formal consequences.

Etymology and form: The adjective is derived from the noun zorun, meaning necessity or compulsion, with the Turkish suffix -lu forming adjectives that indicate “having” or “characterized by.” In Turkish, zorunlu typically modifies nouns to specify that they are required or compulsory.

Usage and context: Zorunlu appears in phrases such as zorunlu eğitim (compulsory education), zorunlu askerlik (conscription), and zorunlu trafik sigortası (mandatory motor vehicle liability insurance). It commonly marks obligations imposed by law, policy, or institutional rules. In contrast to zorunlu, other terms such as mecburi or isteğe bağlı may be used to convey different shades of obligation or voluntariness in certain contexts.

Related terms: The noun zorunluluk denotes the state or condition of being obligatory or necessary. Mecburi is a closely related synonym used in many legal and formal contexts, though with slight nuance in usage. Zorunlu is widely understood across Turkish-speaking communities and appears in official documents, education policies, and everyday speech.

See also: Zorunluluk; Mecburi; İsteğe bağlı.