üvey

Üvey is a Turkish adjective meaning "step-" used to describe kin relations created by marriage rather than by blood. It prefixes family terms to indicate a non-biological connection: üvey anne (stepmother), üvey baba (stepfather), üvey kardeş (stepsibling), and üvey evlat (stepchild). The prefix functions as a grammatical modifier rather than a standalone noun and is distinct from evlatlık, which denotes legal adoption.

In Turkish usage, üvey can carry social or emotional nuance, reflecting the status and dynamics of blended families. It appears in everyday speech as well as in literature and media, and its use helps clarify that the relationship is through marriage rather than biological ties. The term is not universally applied to all possible step-relations; speakers choose terms that best fit the specific family context and tone.

Etymology and notes: Üvey is native to Turkish and has long formed part of the language’s kinship vocabulary. Its precise historical origins are discussed in Turkish linguistic sources. In other Turkic languages, there are analogous concepts for step-relations, though the exact terms differ.