önycelikle

Öncelikle is a Turkish adverb meaning “first of all” or “primarily.” It is used to introduce the main point in discourse, to set an order of arguments, or to emphasize priority in statements and writing.

Etymology and form: The word is formed from ön, meaning “front” or “before,” combined with a derivational suffix that yields an adverb indicating initial importance. The standard and widely accepted spelling is öncelikle. The variant önycelikle is not standard and is generally regarded as a misspelling or typographical error rather than a separate form.

Usage and function: In Turkish, öncelikle commonly appears at the beginning of sentences or clauses, usually followed by a comma, to foreground what will be stated next. It serves as a discourse marker to organize content, particularly in explanations, arguments, essays, and presentations. Examples include “Öncelikle, bu konuyu ele almalıyız” (“First of all, we must address this issue”) and “Öncelikle gelen kafalar söylenmelidir” (illustrative).

Syntax and style: While versatile, öncelikle is most natural at the start of a sentence. It can be followed by verbs in various tenses or by noun phrases, and it often pairs with phrases like “sonra” (then) or “ama” (but) to structure arguments.

See also: ilk olarak, önce, öncelik, discourse markers.