çaba

Çaba is a Turkish noun meaning effort, endeavor, or exertion. It denotes the mental or physical energy directed toward achieving a goal. In Turkish, çaba is commonly used with two verbal constructions: çaba göstermek (to make an effort) and çaba sarf etmek (to exert effort). It can describe both deliberate effort and sustained striving in a range of contexts, from education and work to sports and daily tasks. The word also appears in more formal or literary language, often in phrases that recognize or critique the level of effort shown by a person or group.

Usage and nuance: Çaba implies an intentional, sustained application of effort rather than a single, spontaneous action. It can carry a neutral or occasionally evaluative tone, depending on context. Common collocations include çaba göstermek, çaba sarf etmek, and elinden gelenin en iyisini yapmak. For example, “Proje için gösterdiği çaba takdire şayan” highlights commendable effort, while “Başarı için gereken çaba gösterilmelidir” stresses the need for effort toward success.

Etymology and related terms: Çaba is a native Turkish word with long attestation in Ottoman and modern Turkish; its precise historical etymology is not consistently documented in concise sources. It lies close in sense to synonyms such as gayret (zeal, effort) and uğraş (labor, struggle). The verb form çabalamak means to strive or to struggle.

See also: gayret; uğraş; çabalamak.