önce

Önce is a Turkish adverb meaning before or previously, used to indicate temporal precedence or sequence of actions. It can modify verbs or entire clauses and is commonly used to specify what should happen first or to present a prerequisite.

In everyday usage, önce appears at the start of a sentence or before the verb it relates to. Examples include “Önce kahvaltı yaptım” (I had breakfast first) and “Bu işi önce halletmelisin” (You should finish this task first). It is often paired with sonra (afterwards/then) to express a sequence, as in “Önce X, sonra Y.” Phrases such as “ilk önce” (first of all) and “öncelikle” (primarily) are common variants that emphasize initial steps or priorities.

Etymology and related forms: Önce derives from ön, meaning front or before, with an affix that creates an adverbial sense. Related words include önceden (previously), öncelik (priority), and önceki (previous). These forms share the core idea of prior time or precedence but are used in slightly different grammatical contexts.

Usage notes: Türkçe primarily relies on word order rather than prepositions to express temporal relations, and önce functions as an adverb. It can appear in neutral or emphatic contexts; for emphasis, it often combines with ilkl or öncelikle. The term is ubiquitous in spoken language, journalism, and literature, reflecting its role in organizing statements by sequence or timing.