Expressing obligation in Turkish can be done by using the terms zorunda, mecbur, and zorunda kalmak. These structures correspond closely to English expressions such as “have to,” “must,” and “to be forced to.” This post provides a clear explanation of each structure, how to use them, and practical examples for each.
Note that we explained in another article how to use -malı/meli to say “should” or “must”. We encourage you to read this article to fully understand how to express obligation in Turkish.
How to Use Zorunda & Mecbur (Have to / Must)
Both zorunda and mecbur communicate the necessity or obligation of performing an action. However, they differ slightly in form and nuance:
- Zorunda: The verb preceding it must remain in its infinitive form (-mak/-mek).
- Mecbur: The verb preceding it must take the -maya/-meye suffix, adhering to vowel harmony rules.
| Expression | Verb Form Required | Example |
|---|---|---|
| zorunda | infinitive (-mak/-mek) | Erken kalkmak zorundayım. (I have to wake up early.) |
| mecbur | -maya/-meye | Erken kalkmaya mecburum. (I’m obliged to wake up early.) |
Important: You cannot interchange the forms; expressions like erken kalkmak mecburum or erken kalkmaya zorundayım are incorrect.
Examples in context:
- Okulu başarıyla bitirmek için çok çalışmak zorundayım. (I have to study hard to finish school successfully.)
- İspanya’ya gitmek istiyorsan vizeye başvurmak zorundasın. (If you want to go to Spain, you have to apply for a visa.)
- Eğer arkadaşlarınla zaman geçirmek istiyorsan benden izin almak zorunda değilsin. (If you want to spend time with your friends, you don’t have to get my permission.)
- Bu ilacı içmeye mecbur muyum? (Do I really have to take this medicine?)
- Türkiye’den gitmek zorunda mıyız? (Do we have to leave Turkey?)
- Eğer onu unutmak istiyorsan kendine yeni hobiler bulmaya mecbursun. (You have to find new hobbies if you want to get over him.)
Nuance: The term mecbur often carries a more dramatic or emotionally charged implication of obligation compared to zorunda.
How to Use Zorunda Kalmak (To Be Forced / End Up Having To)
The expression zorunda kalmak emphasizes obligations or necessities that are:
- Unwanted
- Unexpected
- Caused by circumstances beyond one’s control
It corresponds roughly to the English phrases “to end up having to” or “to be forced to.”
Examples:
- Uçağımız rötar yapınca geceyi havalimanında geçirmek zorunda kaldık. (When our flight was delayed, we ended up having to spend the night at the airport.)
- İş arkadaşım aniden işten çıkınca onun işlerini de yapmak zorunda kaldım. (When my colleague suddenly quit, I was forced to do her work too.)
- Kadın sokakta bir anda bayılınca ambulansı aramak zorunda kalmışlar. (When the woman suddenly fainted on the street, they had to call an ambulance.)
- Arkadaşım doğum günümü unutunca kendi pastamı kendim almak zorunda kaldım. (When my friend forgot my birthday, I ended up having to buy my own cake.)
This structure clearly communicates that the obligation arose due to external or unexpected events.
To continue learning Turkish, discover how to express necessity with “gerek” and “lazım”.