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C1 noun 7 min read

risk

Examples Notes & Tips risk in 30 Seconds
Explanation risk in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'risk' is a 'bonus' word because it is identical to the English word. You can use it in very simple sentences like 'Bu bir risk' (This is a risk). You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet. Just recognize that it means something potentially bad might happen.
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At A2, you start using 'risk' with simple verbs. 'Risk almak' (to take a risk) is a useful phrase. You might say, 'O çok risk alıyor' (He takes a lot of risk). You should also recognize it in signs or news headlines about safety.
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By B1, you should be able to use 'risk' in possessive phrases. 'Yağmur riski' (risk of rain), 'kaza riski' (risk of accident). You start to understand that 'risk' is often used in work or school contexts to discuss plans.
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At B2, you can use 'risk' in more complex structures like 'riske atmak' (to put at risk). You can talk about financial risks or health risks with more specific adjectives like 'yüksek risk' (high risk) or 'düşük risk' (low risk). You understand its role in news reports.
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At the C1 level, you use 'risk' with high precision. You distinguish it from 'tehlike' and 'çekince'. You can discuss abstract concepts like 'jeopolitik riskler' or 'risk analizi'. You are comfortable with the fact that it doesn't undergo consonant mutation (it's 'riski', not 'risği').
At C2, 'risk' is a tool for nuanced discussion. You can use it in idiomatic expressions or academic contexts. You might use it in philosophical debates about 'risk toplumu' (risk society) or in high-level business negotiations involving 'risk iştahı' (risk appetite).
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Examples Notes & Tips

risk in 30 Seconds

  • Identical to English 'risk', used for uncertainty and danger.
  • Follows Turkish grammar but avoids 'k' to 'ğ' mutation.
  • Common in business, health, and daily life contexts.
  • Often paired with verbs like 'almak', 'atmak', and 'girmek'.

The Turkish word risk is a direct loanword from the French 'risque', which in turn stems from the Italian 'rischio'. In the Turkish language, it functions as a noun representing the possibility of loss, injury, or other adverse circumstances. While Turkish has native words like tehlike (danger) or the more archaic riziko (specifically used in insurance and law), 'risk' has become the dominant term in modern contexts, especially in finance, health, and daily decision-making.

Financial Context
In the world of economics, 'risk' refers to the uncertainty of returns. Phrases like 'risk yönetimi' (risk management) are ubiquitous in Turkish business school curricula and corporate boardrooms.
Medical Context
Doctors use it to describe the likelihood of complications. For instance, 'enfeksiyon riski' (infection risk) is a standard phrase used during patient consultations.

Bu yatırımı yapmak büyük bir risk taşıyor ama getirisi yüksek olabilir.

Translation: Making this investment carries a great risk, but its return could be high.

Understanding 'risk' in Turkish also requires recognizing its collocations with verbs. Unlike English where you 'take' a risk, in Turkish, you can both risk almak (to take a risk) and riske girmek (to enter into risk). The nuance is subtle: 'risk almak' implies a conscious, often calculated decision, whereas 'riske girmek' might describe a situation you find yourself in due to external factors or a specific action.

Ameliyatın riskleri konusunda doktor bizi bilgilendirdi.

At the C1 level, learners should differentiate between 'risk' and 'tehlike'. 'Tehlike' is more immediate and physical (e.g., a lion in the room), while 'risk' is often abstract, statistical, or future-oriented. For example, you wouldn't say 'the risk of the lion biting me' in a casual sense as much as 'the danger of the lion'. Conversely, in a stock market crash, you talk about 'risk', not necessarily 'tehlike' unless physical safety is involved.

Social Usage
Turkish people often use 'risk' when discussing life choices, such as moving to a new city or changing careers. It reflects a modern, analytical approach to life's uncertainties.

Using 'risk' effectively in Turkish involves mastering its various grammatical roles. As a noun, it can be the subject, object, or part of a possessive construction. Because it's a loanword, it follows standard Turkish vowel harmony and suffixation rules, but with the specific exception of the 'k' mutation mentioned previously.

Sıfır risk politikası izliyoruz.

We are following a zero-risk policy.

One of the most common ways to use 'risk' is in possessive compounds (İsim Tamlaması). In these cases, 'risk' is usually the second noun. For example, 'deprem riski' (earthquake risk), 'kanser riski' (cancer risk), or 'başarısızlık riski' (risk of failure). Notice how the second word takes the -(s)i suffix.

The Verb 'Risk Etmek'
Turkish uses the auxiliary verb 'etmek' to turn 'risk' into an active verb meaning 'to risk [something]'. Example: 'Hayatını risk etti' (He risked his life). However, 'riske atmak' is often more common for 'to put at risk'.

Geleceğini riske atmaya değer mi?

Is it worth putting your future at risk?

In advanced Turkish, you will see 'risk' modified by complex adjectives. 'Göz ardı edilemeyecek bir risk' (a risk that cannot be ignored) or 'hesaplanmış bir risk' (a calculated risk). These phrases demonstrate a C1 level of proficiency by combining verbal adjectives (participles) with the noun.

Pluralization
The plural is 'riskler'. It is used when discussing multiple types of hazards. 'Projenin çeşitli riskleri var' (The project has various risks).

Bu bölgede çığ riski oldukça yüksektir.

If you turn on a Turkish news channel like NTV or CNN Türk, you will hear 'risk' almost every hour. It is a staple of financial news, weather reports (especially regarding natural disasters), and political analysis. In the context of the Istanbul earthquake discussions, 'riskli binalar' (risky/unsafe buildings) is a term every resident knows.

In the Workplace
During project meetings, managers will ask: 'Bu durumun riskleri neler?' (What are the risks of this situation?). It is used to prompt a SWOT analysis or a feasibility study.
In Sports
Commentators often say a team is 'risk alıyor' (taking a risk) when they play very offensively in the final minutes of a football match.

Haberlerde sürekli Marmara Bölgesi'ndeki deprem riskinden bahsediliyor.

In daily conversations, 'risk' is used less formally to describe bold moves. If a friend decides to quit their stable job to start a YouTube channel, you might say, 'Büyük bir risk alıyorsun ama arkandayım' (You're taking a big risk, but I'm behind you). It carries a connotation of bravery mixed with uncertainty.

Ekonomistler enflasyonun artma riskine dikkat çekiyor.

Even advanced learners make mistakes with 'risk' because of its similarity to English and its unique behavior in Turkish grammar. The most frequent error involves the consonant mutation rule (Ünsüz Yumuşaması).

The 'k' to 'ğ' Error
Many learners assume 'risk' becomes 'risği' when adding a vowel. This is incorrect. Because 'risk' ends in a consonant cluster (-sk), the 'k' remains hard. Correct: riski. Incorrect: risği.

Another mistake is using 'risk' when 'tehlike' is more appropriate. While 'risk' is about probability, 'tehlike' is about the source of harm. If you see a sign saying 'Danger: High Voltage', it will say 'Tehlike', not 'Risk'. Using 'risk' in such a direct warning context sounds unnatural and overly academic.

Yanlış: Hayatını tehlikeye atmak yerine 'riskine' atmak demek.

Note: 'Hayatını tehlikeye atmak' is the standard idiom for risking one's life.
Confusion with 'Riziko'
As mentioned, 'riziko' is mostly for insurance. Using it in a casual conversation about a football game would sound extremely strange and outdated.

To reach C1/C2 proficiency, you must know when to swap 'risk' for a more precise synonym. Turkish offers several words that cover different shades of uncertainty and danger.

Tehlike (Danger)
The most common alternative. Use it for immediate physical threats. 'Yolda büyük bir tehlike var' (There is a big danger on the road).
Çekince (Reservation/Hesitation)
This is a more intellectual or diplomatic word. It implies a reason to be cautious. 'Bu planla ilgili bazı çekincelerim var' (I have some reservations/concerns about this plan).
Vebal (Moral Risk/Responsibility)
A culturally rich word. It refers to the spiritual or moral risk of an action. 'Bu kararın vebali ağır olur' (The moral weight/risk of this decision would be heavy).

Risk vs. Tehlike: Risk is the math; Tehlike is the monster.

In academic writing, you might see muhatara (peril/danger), though this is very rare and mostly found in Ottoman-era texts or specific legal jargon. For modern speakers, stick to 'risk' for probability and 'tehlike' for actual harm.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Kurumumuzun risk maruziyeti asgari düzeydedir."

Neutral

"Bu yatırım çok riskli görünüyor."

Informal

"Boşver abi, riske girmeye değmez."

Child friendly

"Dikkat et, oradan düşme riski var!"

Slang

"Zar attık bakalım, ne çıkacak."

Fun Fact

Although it's a loanword, it's so integrated that it's used more often than the native word 'tehlike' in business contexts.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /rɪsk/
US /rɪsk/
The stress is on the only syllable.
Rhymes With
disk fisk kisk misk pisk tisk visk obelisk
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing it as 'ris-ik' (adding an extra vowel).
  • Softening the 'k' to 'ğ' when adding suffixes.
  • Vocalizing the 'r' too much at the start.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Easy to recognize as it's the same as English.

Writing 2/5

A bit harder due to suffix rules (no mutation).

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but collocations must be learned.

Listening 1/5

Very easy to hear in news and conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

tehlike almak atmak var yok

Learn Next

yönetim analiz ihtimal faktör strateji

Advanced

riziko muhatara belirsizlik maruziyet

Grammar to Know

Consonant Mutation Exception

Risk -> Riski (Not Risği)

Noun Compounds

Deprem riski (The risk of earthquake)

Dative with 'atmak'

Riske atmak (To throw into risk)

Ablative with 'kaçınmak'

Riskten kaçınmak (To avoid risk)

Adjective Suffix -li

Riskli (Risky)

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Examples by Level

1

Bu büyük bir risk.

This is a big risk.

Simple noun usage.

2

Risk yok.

No risk.

Using 'yok' for negation.

3

O bir risk mi?

Is that a risk?

Question particle 'mi'.

4

Risk çok fazla.

The risk is too much.

Adverb 'çok' modifying 'fazla'.

5

Burası riskli.

This place is risky.

Adjective suffix -li.

6

Sıfır risk.

Zero risk.

Number as an adjective.

7

Risk istemiyorum.

I don't want risk.

Negative present continuous.

8

Küçük bir risk.

A small risk.

Adjective 'küçük'.

1

Risk almak iyidir.

Taking risks is good.

Infinitive as subject.

2

Neden risk alıyorsun?

Why are you taking a risk?

Question word 'neden'.

3

Bu iş çok riskli.

This job is very risky.

-li suffix creates an adjective.

4

Hata yapma riski var.

There is a risk of making a mistake.

Possessive compound (Hata yapma + riski).

5

Doktor riskleri anlattı.

The doctor explained the risks.

Accusative plural -leri.

6

Riske girmek istemiyor.

He doesn't want to enter into risk.

Dative case -e.

7

Paranı riske atma.

Don't put your money at risk.

Imperative negative.

8

Büyük riskler aldık.

We took big risks.

Past tense -dik.

1

Yatırım yaparken riskleri hesaplamalısın.

You should calculate the risks while investing.

Necessitative mood -malı.

2

Kanser riski yaşla birlikte artar.

The risk of cancer increases with age.

Aorist tense for general facts.

3

Bu bölgede deprem riski çok yüksek.

The earthquake risk in this region is very high.

Locative case -de.

4

Hiçbir riski göz ardı edemeyiz.

We cannot ignore any risk.

Ability negative -emez.

5

Riske girmeden kazanamazsın.

You cannot win without taking a risk.

-meden (without) construction.

6

Şirket yeni bir risk yönetimi stratejisi kurdu.

The company established a new risk management strategy.

Compound noun (risk yönetimi).

7

Bu kararın riskli olduğunu biliyorum.

I know that this decision is risky.

Object clause with -olduğunu.

8

Sigorta, finansal riskleri azaltır.

Insurance reduces financial risks.

Transitive verb 'azaltmak'.

1

Hesaplanmış bir risk alarak piyasaya girdiler.

They entered the market by taking a calculated risk.

Adverbial -arak.

2

Hayatını riske atmaya değer miydi?

Was it worth putting your life at risk?

Interrogative past tense.

3

Enflasyonun artma riski piyasaları gerdi.

The risk of inflation increasing made the markets tense.

Verbal noun -ma.

4

Bu proje, kurumsal itibarımızı riske sokabilir.

This project could put our corporate reputation at risk.

Possibility mood -ebilir.

5

Hayati bir risk taşıdığı için ameliyat ertelendi.

The surgery was postponed because it carried a vital risk.

Reason clause with -dığı için.

6

Siyasi riskler yabancı yatırımcıyı korkutuyor.

Political risks are scaring away foreign investors.

Present continuous -yor.

7

Risk analizini doğru yapmadıkları için battılar.

They went bankrupt because they didn't do the risk analysis correctly.

Negative past participle.

8

Her yeni girişim belli bir risk barındırır.

Every new venture harbors a certain risk.

Aorist tense.

1

Jeopolitik risklerin minimize edilmesi elzemdir.

It is essential to minimize geopolitical risks.

Passive voice -il/-in.

2

Risk iştahı yüksek olan yatırımcılar bu sektöre yöneliyor.

Investors with a high risk appetite are turning to this sector.

Relative clause with -olan.

3

Siber saldırı riskine karşı güvenlik önlemleri artırıldı.

Security measures were increased against the risk of cyber attacks.

Dative case with 'karşı'.

4

Projenin sürdürülebilirliği önündeki en büyük engel finansal risklerdir.

The biggest obstacle to the project's sustainability is financial risks.

Complex noun phrase.

5

Risk paydaşlar arasında adil bir şekilde dağıtılmalıdır.

Risk should be distributed fairly among stakeholders.

Passive necessitative.

6

Belirsizlik, riskten farklı olarak ölçülemez bir kavramdır.

Uncertainty, unlike risk, is an unmeasurable concept.

Ablative case with 'farklı olarak'.

7

Kredi risk puanı, bankaların en çok dikkat ettiği unsurdur.

The credit risk score is the element banks pay the most attention to.

Superlative 'en çok'.

8

Operasyonel risklerin yönetimi uzmanlık gerektirir.

Management of operational risks requires expertise.

Genitive-possessive chain.

1

Risk toplumunda bireyler sürekli bir güvensizlik sarmalındadır.

In the risk society, individuals are in a constant spiral of insecurity.

Sociological terminology.

2

Sistemik risklerin tetiklenmesi küresel bir ekonomik buhrana yol açabilir.

The triggering of systemic risks could lead to a global economic depression.

Complex causality.

3

Risk ve getiri arasındaki o ince çizgide yürümek maharet ister.

Walking on that fine line between risk and return requires skill.

Metaphorical usage.

4

İklim değişikliğinin yarattığı varoluşsal riskler göz ardı edilemez boyuttadır.

The existential risks created by climate change are of an unignorable magnitude.

Advanced adjective 'varoluşsal'.

5

Risk algısı, kültürel ve toplumsal normlara göre şekillenir.

Risk perception is shaped according to cultural and social norms.

Passive with 'göre'.

6

Türev araçlar, riski transfer etmek için kullanılsa da bazen riski artırır.

Although derivative instruments are used to transfer risk, they sometimes increase it.

Concessive clause -sa da.

7

Kurumun risk maruziyeti, belirlenen limitlerin üzerine çıkmıştır.

The institution's risk exposure has exceeded the set limits.

Technical terminology 'maruziyet'.

8

Liderlik, belirsizlik anlarında sorumluluk ve risk üstlenme cesaretidir.

Leadership is the courage to take responsibility and risk in moments of uncertainty.

Infinitive as a noun.

Common Collocations

risk almak
risk yönetimi
risk grubu
risk faktörü
riske atmak
risk taşımak
risk analizi
yüksek risk
risk iştahı
risk teşkil etmek

Common Phrases

Sıfır risk

— Absolutely no risk involved.

Sıfır riskle bu işi bitirdik.

Risk budur

— This is what risk looks like (often used jokingly).

Parasız tatile çıkmak mı? Risk budur!

Riske girmek

— To place oneself in a risky situation.

Daha fazla riske girmek istemiyorum.

Büyük risk

— A significant possibility of loss.

Bu büyük bir risk ama denemeye değer.

Riskli bölge

— An area that is dangerous or prone to issues.

Burası heyelan için riskli bölge.

Risk altında

— Currently facing a threat.

Nesli tükenmekte olan hayvanlar risk altında.

Hesaplanmış risk

— A risk taken after careful thought.

Biz sadece hesaplanmış riskler alırız.

Risk payı

— A margin allowed for potential error.

Bütçede bir risk payı bırakmalıyız.

Hayati risk

— A risk that threatens life.

Hastanın hayati riski devam ediyor.

Riskten kaçınmak

— To avoid taking risks.

Genellikle riskten kaçınan biridir.

Often Confused With

risk vs tehlike

Tehlike is the source of harm; risk is the probability.

risk vs riziko

Riziko is only for insurance/legal contexts.

risk vs çekince

Çekince is more about hesitation or doubt.

Idioms & Expressions

"Ateşle oynamak"

— To take a very dangerous and unnecessary risk.

Patronla böyle konuşarak ateşle oynuyorsun.

Informal
"Zar atmak"

— To take a gamble or a chance on something.

Geleceğimiz üzerine zar atamayız.

Metaphorical
"Bıçak sırtında"

— Being in a very risky, precarious situation.

Ekonomi şu an bıçak sırtında.

Neutral
"İp üstünde yürümek"

— To be in a situation where a small mistake leads to failure.

Şirket son aylarda ip üstünde yürüyor.

Metaphorical
"Kendi kuyusunu kazmak"

— To take risks that will eventually harm oneself.

Yalan söyleyerek kendi kuyusunu kazıyor.

Informal
"Gözü kararmak"

— To take a risk without thinking about the consequences due to anger or ambition.

Kazanmak için gözü karardı.

Neutral
"Pahasını ödemek"

— To face the negative consequences of a risk taken.

Hatalı kararlarının pahasını ağır ödedi.

Neutral
"Canını dişine takmak"

— To take a risk involving great effort and danger to achieve something.

Maçı kazanmak için canını dişine taktı.

Neutral
"Köprüleri yakmak"

— To take a risk that makes it impossible to return to a previous state.

İstifa ederek tüm köprüleri yaktı.

Neutral
"Gemileri yakmak"

— Similar to 'köprüleri yakmak', to commit fully to a risky path.

Bu iş için gemileri yaktım.

Neutral

Easily Confused

risk vs tehlike

Both imply something bad.

Tehlike is direct danger; risk is the chance of danger.

Aslan bir tehlikedir, ama aslanın kafesine girmek bir risktir.

risk vs şans

Both involve probability.

Şans is usually positive; risk is usually negative.

Piyangoyu kazanma şansın var, ama paranı kaybetme riskin var.

risk vs olasılık

Both mean probability.

Olasılık is neutral; risk implies a negative outcome.

Yağmur olasılığı %50, ama ıslanma riski seni korkutuyor.

risk vs korku

Both involve a feeling of unease.

Korku is an emotion; risk is a situation.

Riskten dolayı içimde bir korku var.

risk vs hata

Risks often lead to errors.

Hata is the result; risk is the possibility before the result.

Hata yapma riski her zaman vardır.

Sentence Patterns

A1

Bu [noun] riskli.

Bu yol riskli.

A2

[Noun] alma riski var.

Hata yapma riski var.

B1

[Noun] riski taşıyor.

Bu bina deprem riski taşıyor.

B2

[Object] riske atmak.

Geleceğini riske atma.

C1

Riskleri [verb-adjective] gerekiyor.

Riskleri minimize etmek gerekiyor.

C1

Risk [noun] arasında [verb].

Risk paydaşlar arasında dağıtılmalı.

C2

[Abstract Noun] riski [verb].

Sistemik risklerin tetiklenmesi ekonomiyi bozar.

C2

Risk algısı [noun] göre [verb].

Risk algısı topluma göre değişir.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Related

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How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in media, business, and health contexts.

Tips

Suffix Tip

Remember the cluster -sk. Suffixes like -i, -e, -in don't change the 'k'. It's 'riskin', not 'risğin'.

Context Tip

Use 'risk' for business and 'tehlike' for physical safety to sound more like a native.

Synonym Tip

Learn 'çekince' for academic writing. It show

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the board game 'Risk'. In Turkish, it's spelled the same and means the same thing!

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing on a thin tightrope between two skyscrapers labeled 'Action' and 'Reward'.

Word Web

Finance Danger Uncertainty Decision Insurance Health Investment Future

Challenge

Try to use 'risk almak' and 'riske atmak' in two different sentences today.

Word Origin

Borrowed from French 'risque'.

Original meaning: Danger, peril, or chance of loss.

Indo-European (via French/Italian/Latin).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be empathetic when discussing 'hayati risk' (life risk).

English speakers will find it easy to use, but should be careful not to use it for every kind of danger.

The game 'Risk' (known as 'Risk' in Turkey too). Financial news headlines on Bloomberg HT. Health warnings on cigarette packs.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Finance

  • Risk yönetimi
  • Piyasa riski
  • Yatırım riski
  • Risk iştahı

Medicine

  • Enfeksiyon riski
  • Hayati risk
  • Risk grubu
  • Komplikasyon riski

Daily Life

  • Risk almak
  • Riske girmek
  • Çok riskli
  • Değmez

Natural Disasters

  • Deprem riski
  • Sel riski
  • Heyelan riski
  • Riskli binalar

Technology

  • Güvenlik riski
  • Siber risk
  • Veri kaybı riski
  • Sistemik risk

Conversation Starters

"Sence hayatında aldığın en büyük risk neydi?"

"Yatırım yaparken çok risk alır mısın?"

"Sence teknoloji dünyası için en büyük risk nedir?"

"Risk almadan başarılı olmak mümkün mü?"

"Hangi durumlarda asla riske girmezsin?"

Journal Prompts

Bugün aldığın küçük bir riski ve sonucunu yaz.

Gelecekte almayı planladığın bir riski ve nedenlerini anlat.

Risk ve güvenlik arasındaki denge senin için ne ifade ediyor?

Bir iş kuracak olsan hangi riskleri göz önünde bulundururdun?

'Risk almayan, kazanamaz' sözüne katılıyor musun? Neden?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is always 'riski'. Turkish words ending in -sk, -st, or -lp do not undergo consonant mutation. This is a common rule for loanwords with these clusters.

Generally, 'risk' has a negative connotation. If you mean a positive chance, use 'şans' (luck/chance) or 'fırsat' (opportunity).

It means 'risk management'. It is the process of identifying, assessing, and controlling threats to an organization's capital and earnings.

Yes, but mostly in the insurance industry or in very formal legal texts. In everyday Turkish, 'risk' is the standard word.

The most common way is 'risk almak'. You can also say 'riske girmek' if you are entering a risky situation.

It means 'to put at risk' or 'to jeopardize'. For example: 'Sağlığını riske atma' (Don't put your health at risk).

Yes, 'riskli' (risky) is the most common. You can also use 'risksiz' (risk-free).

It refers to a 'risk group', often used in medicine to describe people more likely to catch a disease.

Not directly. You must use it with an auxiliary verb like 'risk etmek', 'risk almak', or 'riske atmak'.

You say 'yüksek risk'. For 'low risk', you say 'düşük risk'.

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