karar vs hüküm
Turkish word comparison
Listen to karar
Listen to hüküm
| karar | hüküm |
|---|---|
ka-RAAR noun | hü-KÜM noun |
| a decision; the choice made after thinking about options | a judgment or ruling, especially a formal decision |
How they differ
Hüküm is closer to a judgment, ruling, or verdict than to an ordinary decision. It is used more in legal, official, moral, or abstract contexts, while karar is the broader everyday word for making a choice after considering options.
When to use each
When to use karar: Use karar for normal everyday decisions, personal choices, and practical choices.
When to use hüküm: Use hüküm when the decision sounds formal, authoritative, legal, or like a final judgment.
Side-by-side examples
- Bu konuda sonunda bir karar verdik.
(We finally made a decision on this matter.) - Mahkeme dün hükmünü açıkladı.
(The court announced its ruling yesterday.)
Register & nuance: Hüküm is much more formal than karar and is strongly associated with legal, religious, or official language.