At the A1 level, the word 'sürdürmek' might be a bit advanced, as beginners usually focus on 'devam etmek' (to continue). However, you can think of it as a special way to say 'keep doing something.' While you won't use it often in basic greetings, you might see it in very simple sentences about habits. For example, 'I continue my work' can be said as 'Çalışmamı sürdürüyorum.' The most important thing for an A1 learner is to recognize that the '-dür-' part makes it an active thing you do to something else. It's like 'making something go on.' Focus on simple objects like 'game' (oyun) or 'work' (iş). You should also notice the '-i' ending on the word before it, which means 'the.' So, 'Oyun-u sürdür' means 'Continue the game.' Don't worry about using it in complex ways yet; just try to spot it when you read or hear it.
At the A2 level, you are starting to build more complete sentences. You can use 'sürdürmek' to talk about daily routines or simple plans. For instance, if you are talking about a hobby, you might say, 'Hobimi sürdürmek istiyorum' (I want to continue my hobby). At this stage, you should practice the difference between 'sürmek' (it lasts) and 'sürdürmek' (you continue it). Remember: 'The lesson lasts' is 'Ders sürüyor,' but 'I continue the lesson' is 'Dersi sürdürüyorum.' You will also start to see it in simple news headlines or signs. It's a great word to use when you want to sound a little more precise than just using 'devam etmek.' Try using it with words like 'diet' (diyet), 'sports' (spor), or 'conversation' (konuşma). It shows you are moving beyond the very basics of the Turkish language.
By the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'sürdürmek' in a variety of contexts, especially when talking about personal goals, health, and social life. You will notice it often follows a verbal noun ending in '-mayı' or '-meyi.' For example, 'Okumayı sürdürdü' (He continued reading). This is a very common pattern. At this level, you can also use it to discuss relationships, like 'arkadaşlığı sürdürmek' (maintaining a friendship). You are now learning that this word implies a certain amount of effort or intention. It's not just that something is happening; you are making sure it keeps happening. You might also encounter the passive form 'sürdürülmek' in news reports about ongoing events. Practice using it in your writing to describe how you maintain your Turkish studies or how you keep up with your professional responsibilities.
At the B2 level, 'sürdürmek' is a core part of your vocabulary. You are expected to use it in formal essays, professional discussions, and complex conversations. You should understand its nuances in academic contexts, such as 'sürdürülebilir kalkınma' (sustainable development). At this stage, you can use it to talk about abstract concepts like 'gelenek' (tradition), 'politika' (policy), or 'mücadele' (struggle). You should also be able to use it in different moods, like the conditional ('sürdürseydik' - if we had continued) or the necessity mood ('sürdürmeliyiz' - we must continue). You will notice that in professional Turkish, 'sürdürmek' is preferred over 'devam ettirmek' because it sounds more cohesive and sophisticated. You should also be aware of common collocations like 'sessizliğini sürdürmek' (to remain silent) or 'hayatını sürdürmek' (to live/survive).
At the C1 level, you use 'sürdürmek' with precision and stylistic flair. You can distinguish between 'sürdürmek,' 'yaşatmak,' and 'idame ettirmek' based on the register and the emotional weight of the sentence. You are likely using it in complex sentence structures, such as 'Bu politikayı sürdürmekteki kararlılığımız...' (Our determination in maintaining this policy...). You understand the word's role in creating a sense of continuity in literary or historical narratives. You might use it to describe the persistence of certain social phenomena or the maintenance of ecological systems. At this level, you are also familiar with the more obscure idioms or formal expressions involving the word. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker's, especially in how you choose it for formal documentation or high-level academic writing.
At the C2 level, 'sürdürmek' is a tool you use to master the subtle shades of meaning in the Turkish language. You can use it to create complex rhetorical effects or to precisely define the parameters of a philosophical argument. You are aware of the word's etymological roots and how they influence its current usage in various dialects or specialized fields like law and science. You can effortlessly switch between 'sürdürmek' and its most formal synonyms like 'idame ettirmek' to suit the specific requirements of a high-level diplomatic or legal text. You also understand the word's place in the broader context of Turkish culture and history, recognizing how it has been used to describe the survival and adaptation of the Turkish people through the centuries. Your mastery is such that you can even use the word creatively in poetry or advanced prose to evoke a sense of timelessness or relentless progress.

sürdürmek in 30 Seconds

  • Sürdürmek means 'to maintain' or 'to continue' something actively.
  • It is the causative form of 'sürmek' (to last).
  • It requires a direct object in the accusative case (-i, -ı).
  • Commonly used for traditions, relationships, and professional projects.

The Turkish verb sürdürmek is a powerful and versatile word that translates primarily to 'to maintain,' 'to continue,' or 'to sustain.' At its core, it is the causative form of the verb sürmek, which means to last or to drive. By adding the causative suffix -dür, the meaning shifts from something simply 'lasting' to an actor 'making something last' or 'keeping something going.' This nuance is crucial for English speakers to understand because it implies an active effort to prevent something from stopping. Whether you are talking about keeping a tradition alive, maintaining a professional relationship, or continuing a physical activity, sürdürmek is the go-to verb for upper-intermediate and advanced Turkish learners.

Active Continuation
It describes the act of intentionally keeping a process or state in motion. It is not accidental; it requires agency.

Şirket, çevre dostu politikalarını kararlılıkla sürdürmek istiyor.

In daily life, you will encounter this word in contexts ranging from the mundane to the highly formal. For example, a doctor might ask a patient to tedaviyi sürdürmek (continue the treatment), or a politician might talk about barışı sürdürmek (maintaining peace). The word carries a sense of duration and persistence. Unlike the simpler devam etmek (to continue), which can be used for almost anything that hasn't stopped, sürdürmek often implies a level of responsibility or a specific object being maintained. You don't just 'continue,' you 'continue something.'

Social Context
In social settings, it is used to discuss relationships, such as arkadaşlığı sürdürmek (maintaining a friendship) or iletişimi sürdürmek (keeping in touch).

Eski geleneklerimizi köylerimizde hala sürdürüyoruz.

Furthermore, the word is indispensable in academic and professional Turkish. Phrases like sürdürülebilir kalkınma (sustainable development) derive directly from this verb. When discussing long-term projects, research, or institutional habits, sürdürmek provides the necessary weight and formality. It suggests that the action is not a one-off event but part of a consistent, ongoing effort. Understanding this word helps learners move beyond basic communication into more nuanced, descriptive, and professional language use.

Emotional Nuance
It can also carry a tone of perseverance, suggesting that one is continuing something despite difficulties or challenges.

Tüm zorluklara rağmen araştırmasını sürdürdü.

Using sürdürmek correctly requires attention to its grammatical structure. As a transitive verb, it almost always takes a direct object in the accusative case (-i, -ı, -u, -ü). This means you aren't just 'maintaining'; you are 'maintaining [something].' For example, in the phrase hayatını sürdürmek (to maintain one's life/to live), the word hayat (life) takes the possessive suffix and then the accusative marker -nı. This structural requirement distinguishes it from its intransitive counterpart sürmek (to last), which does not take a direct object in the same way.

The Accusative Rule
Always identify 'what' is being continued. That noun must be in the accusative case. (e.g., Çalışma sürdürmek).

Öğrenciler sessizliği sürdürmekte zorlanıyorlar.

In terms of tense and aspect, sürdürmek is frequently used in the present continuous (-yor), the wide tense (-er/-ar) for habits, and the future tense (-ecek/-acak) for commitments. Because the verb itself implies an ongoing process, using it in the past definite (-di) often marks the completion of a period of maintenance, or it highlights that the effort was sustained until a certain point. For instance, Görevi beş yıl sürdürdü means 'He maintained/held the position for five years.'

Negative Forms
To say 'not to continue' or 'to cease maintaining,' use 'sürdürmemek.' This often implies a deliberate stop.

Tartışmayı daha fazla sürdürmek istemiyorum.

One interesting aspect of sürdürmek is its use in passive constructions. Sürdürülmek (to be maintained/continued) is very common in news and formal reports. For example, Çalışmalar sürdürülüyor (The works are being continued). This shifts the focus from the person doing the work to the work itself, which is a hallmark of professional Turkish style. Mastery of these patterns allows a learner to sound much more natural and precise in their communication.

Passive Voice
Use 'sürdürülmek' when the agent is unknown or unimportant. (e.g., Soruşturma sürdürülüyor - The investigation is being continued).

Bu gelenek yüzyıllardır sürdürülmektedir.

If you turn on a Turkish news channel like TRT Haber or NTV, you will likely hear sürdürmek within the first ten minutes. It is the standard verb for reporting on ongoing operations, diplomatic talks, and economic trends. News anchors might say, Operasyonlar kararlılıkla sürdürülüyor (Operations are being continued with determination). This formal context emphasizes the word's association with persistence and official action. It is also found in the headlines of newspapers, especially when discussing long-term policies or international relations.

In the Media
Used for reporting on military operations, legal trials, and government projects that are in progress.

Hükümet, ekonomik reformları sürdüreceğini açıkladı.

In the workplace, sürdürmek is used during meetings and in emails. A manager might tell a team, Bu tempoyu sürdürmeliyiz (We must maintain this pace). It conveys a sense of professional standards and expectations. In business contracts, you might see terms regarding the sürdürülebilirlik (sustainability) of a partnership or service. It is a word that implies reliability and consistency, which are highly valued in Turkish business culture. If you are working in a Turkish office, using this word correctly will make you sound competent and serious.

Daily Conversations
While slightly formal, it is used when discussing habits, health, or significant life changes.

Diyetimi sürdürmekte kararlıyım.

Finally, you will find sürdürmek in literature and documentaries. When a narrator discusses how a nomadic tribe geleneklerini sürdürüyor (maintains its traditions) or how a species neslini sürdürüyor (continues its generation/species), they are using the word to describe the fundamental thread of existence and history. It is a word that connects the past to the present and the present to the future. Whether it's a grandfather telling his grandson about family values or a scientist explaining ecological balance, sürdürmek is the bridge of continuity.

Academic/Scientific
Essential for discussing biology (survival of species) and sociology (cultural persistence).

Bazı bitkiler çok zor koşullarda bile yaşamlarını sürdürebilir.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing sürdürmek with its root, sürmek. While they are related, sürmek is generally intransitive when it means 'to last' (e.g., Film iki saat sürdü - The movie lasted two hours). If you say Filmi sürdürdü, you are saying 'He made the movie last' or 'He continued the movie,' which is a very different meaning. Remember: sürmek is about the duration itself, while sürdürmek is about the person or thing causing that duration to continue.

The 'Sürmek' vs. 'Sürdürmek' Pitfall
Mistake: Toplantı iki saat sürdürdü (Incorrect). Correct: Toplantı iki saat sürdü (The meeting lasted two hours).

Yanlış: Konser devam sürdürdü. Doğru: Konser devam etti.

Another common error is forgetting the accusative case. Because 'continue' in English often doesn't feel like it needs a marked object (e.g., 'I will continue'), learners often say Çalışma sürdüreceğim instead of Çalışma sürdüreceğim. In Turkish, sürdürmek is strictly transitive. If you don't have a specific object, you should probably use devam etmek instead. For example, 'I will continue' is simply Devam edeceğim. If you want to use sürdürmek, you must specify what you are continuing.

Overuse in Simple Contexts
Sometimes learners use 'sürdürmek' for very simple actions where 'devam etmek' is more natural. (e.g., 'Yürümeyi sürdürdü' is okay, but 'Yürümeye devam etti' is more common for just walking).

Hatalı: Yağmur sürdürüyor. Doğru: Yağmur sürüyor / Yağmur yağıyor.

Finally, watch out for the difference between sürdürmek and korumak (to protect/maintain). While they overlap, korumak is more about keeping something safe from change or damage, while sürdürmek is about keeping an action or state going. You sürdür a conversation, but you koru a secret or a historical building. Confusing these two can lead to slightly awkward phrasing in Turkish, even if the meaning is generally understood.

Maintenance of Objects
For physical maintenance (like a car or a house), 'bakım yapmak' or 'korumak' is usually used, not 'sürdürmek'.

Arabayı sürdürdü (Wrong meaning: He made the car last). Arabanın bakımını yaptı (Correct: He maintained the car).

Understanding the synonyms of sürdürmek will help you choose the most precise word for every situation. The most common alternative is devam ettirmek. In many cases, these two are interchangeable. However, sürdürmek often feels more integrated and formal, while devam ettirmek (literally 'to make continue') is more analytical. If you are writing a formal essay or a news report, sürdürmek is almost always preferred for its stylistic weight.

sürdürmek vs. devam ettirmek
sürdürmek: Formal, integrated, implies active sustaining.
devam ettirmek: Common, neutral, literally 'causing to continue.'

Geleneklerimizi sürdürmek (More formal) vs. Geleneklerimizi devam ettirmek (More casual).

Another related word is yaşatmak (to keep alive). This is used specifically when the 'continuation' has a emotional or cultural significance. You yaşat a memory, a name, or a culture. While you could use sürdürmek for these, yaşatmak adds a layer of vitality and care. Conversely, idame ettirmek is a highly formal, often legal or military term for 'to sustain' or 'to maintain.' You might hear it in very high-level bureaucratic speech regarding the 'maintenance of order' (asayişin idamesi).

sürdürmek vs. korumak
sürdürmek: Keeping an action or state going (e.g., a diet).
korumak: Protecting something from changing or being lost (e.g., a secret).

Sakinliğini sürdürdü (He kept being calm) vs. Sakinliğini korudu (He protected his calmness).

Finally, consider idare etmek. While it can mean 'to manage,' it is also used for 'getting by' or 'making something last' in a more resourceful, sometimes desperate way. For example, Bu para bizi bir hafta idare eder (This money will last us/sustain us for a week). This is much more informal and specific to resource management than the broad, process-oriented sürdürmek. Choosing between these depends on whether you are talking about an official process, a cultural treasure, or just making ends meet.

Summary of Alternatives
1. Devam ettirmek (General)
2. Yaşatmak (Emotional/Cultural)
3. İdame ettirmek (Very Formal/Legal)
4. Korumak (Maintenance/Protection).

Dostluğumuzu sonsuza dek yaşatmak istiyoruz.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /syɾ.dyɾ.ˈmek/
US /sʏɾ.dʏɾ.ˈmɛk/
The primary stress is on the infinitive suffix '-mek'. In conjugated forms, the stress usually stays on the syllable before the tense marker, but for 'sürdürmek', the root-causative combination 'sürdür-' is quite strong.
Rhymes With
güldürme
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'ü' as 'u' (like 'surdurmek').
  • Confusing the pronunciation with 'sürmek' by omitting the middle 'dür' syllable.
  • Not tapping the 'r' sounds correctly.
  • Putting stress on the first syllable.
  • Mispronouncing the 'k' at the end as a soft 'g'.

Examples by Level

1

Oyunu sürdür.

Continue the game.

Imperative form (sürdür) + Accusative (oyunu).

2

İşimi sürdürüyorum.

I am continuing my work.

Present continuous tense.

3

O, sporu sürdürüyor.

He/she is continuing the sport.

Third person singular.

4

Dersi sürdürelim.

Let's continue the lesson.

Optative-imperative (let's).

5

Yemeği sürdürdüler.

They continued the meal.

Past tense plural.

6

Bu şarkıyı sürdür.

Continue this song.

Simple command.

7

Okumayı sürdürüyor musun?

Are you continuing to read?

Question form with verbal noun.

8

Yürüyüşü sürdürdük.

We continued the walk.

First person plural past.

1

Diyetimi sürdürmek zorundayım.

I have to continue my diet.

Infinitive + zorundayım (obligation).

2

Hobilerini her zaman sürdür.

Always continue your hobbies.

Plural object + imperative.

3

Toplantıyı yarın sürdüreceğiz.

We will continue the meeting tomorrow.

Future tense.

4

O, konuşmayı sürdürmedi.

He did not continue the speech.

Negative past tense.

5

Egzersiz yapmayı sürdürürsen zayıflarsın.

If you continue exercising, you will lose weight.

Conditional (-se) + Wide tense (-er).

6

Yolculuğu sürdürmeye karar verdik.

We decided to continue the journey.

Dative case on the infinitive (sürdürmeye).

7

Lütfen sessizliği sürdürün.

Please maintain the silence.

Formal imperative.

8

Bu geleneği sürdürüyorlar.

They are maintaining this tradition.

Present continuous.

1

Eski dostluğumuzu hala sürdürüyoruz.

We are still maintaining our old friendship.

Focus on 'hala' (still) with the verb.

2

Doktor, tedaviyi sürdürmemi istedi.

The doctor wanted me to continue the treatment.

Possessive infinitive (sürdürmemi).

3

Şirket, yeni projeyi sürdürme kararı aldı.

The company decided to continue the new project.

Compound noun structure (sürdürme kararı).

4

Onu ikna etmeye çalışmayı sürdürdüm.

I continued trying to convince him.

Double verbal noun structure.

5

Yaşamını zor şartlarda sürdürüyor.

He maintains his life under difficult conditions.

Locative case (şartlarda).

6

Bu tempoyu sürdürebilir misin?

Can you maintain this pace?

Potential mood (-ebil).

7

Araştırmalar titizlikle sürdürülüyor.

The research is being continued meticulously.

Passive voice (sürdürülüyor).

8

Okulu sürdürmek için çok çalıştı.

He worked hard to continue school.

Purposive clause (için).

1

Sürdürülebilir bir gelecek için çalışmalıyız.

We must work for a sustainable future.

Adjective form (sürdürülebilir).

2

Hükümet, reform sürecini sürdürmekte kararlı.

The government is determined to continue the reform process.

Locative + kararlı construction.

3

Yazar, son kitabında aynı temayı sürdürüyor.

The author continues the same theme in his last book.

Subject-object-verb order.

4

İlişkimizi sürdürmek artık imkansız görünüyor.

Maintaining our relationship seems impossible now.

Infinitive as subject.

5

Bu geleneği gelecek nesillere sürdürmeliyiz.

We must carry this tradition on to future generations.

Necessity mood (-meli).

6

Soruşturma gizlilik içinde sürdürülmektedir.

The investigation is being carried out in secrecy.

Formal passive with -mektedir.

7

Ekonomik büyümeyi sürdürmek önceliğimizdir.

Continuing economic growth is our priority.

Accusative object as a priority.

8

Tüm engellere rağmen mücadelesini sürdürdü.

He continued his struggle despite all obstacles.

Concessive phrase (rağmen).

1

Kurum, kurumsal kimliğini her platformda sürdürüyor.

The institution maintains its corporate identity on every platform.

Abstract corporate vocabulary.

2

Sanatçı, minimalist yaklaşımını bu eserinde de sürdürmüş.

The artist has continued his minimalist approach in this work as well.

Inference past tense (-müş).

3

Ekolojik dengeyi sürdürmek hayati bir önem taşır.

Maintaining ecological balance is of vital importance.

High-level academic expression.

4

Diplomatik görüşmelerin sürdürülmesi kararlaştırıldı.

It was decided that diplomatic talks should be continued.

Passive of the verbal noun (sürdürülmesi).

5

Şirket, pazar payını sürdürmek için agresif bir strateji izliyor.

The company is following an aggressive strategy to maintain its market share.

Business terminology.

6

Kültürel mirası sürdürmek sadece devletin değil, herkesin görevidir.

Maintaining cultural heritage is not just the state's duty, but everyone's.

Not only... but also construction.

7

Hasta, hayati fonksiyonlarını makine desteğiyle sürdürüyor.

The patient is maintaining vital functions with machine support.

Medical context.

8

Bu belirsizliğin sürdürülmesi piyasaları olumsuz etkiler.

The continuation of this uncertainty affects the markets negatively.

Abstract noun as subject.

1

Varoluşsal kaygılarını eserleri aracılığıyla sürdürmektedir.

He perpetuates his existential anxieties through his works.

Philosophical register.

2

Statükonun sürdürülmesi, değişimin önündeki en büyük engeldir.

The maintenance of the status quo is the biggest obstacle to change.

Political science terminology.

3

Dil, toplumsal hafızayı sürdüren en güçlü araçtır.

Language is the most powerful tool that sustains social memory.

Participle form (sürdüren).

4

Modernite, geleneksel yapıları dönüştürerek sürdürür.

Modernity sustains traditional structures by transforming them.

Adverbial participle (-erek).

5

Hukukun üstünlüğünü sürdürmek, demokrasinin temelidir.

Maintaining the rule of law is the foundation of democracy.

Legal/Constitutional register.

6

Bilimsel paradigma, yeni kanıtlar bulunana dek kendini sürdürür.

A scientific paradigm sustains itself until new evidence is found.

Reflexive meaning (kendini).

7

İnsanlık, kadim bilgeliğini mitler yoluyla sürdürmüştür.

Humanity has sustained its ancient wisdom through myths.

Historical narrative style.

8

Sürdürülebilirliğin ontolojik temelleri üzerine bir tartışma başlattı.

He started a discussion on the ontological foundations of sustainability.

Highly academic 'ontolojik'.

Synonyms

devam ettirmek yaşatmak idame ettirmek korumak sürgit etmek yürütmek beslemek tutmak

Antonyms

durdurmak kesmek sonlandırmak bitirmek

Common Collocations

hayatını sürdürmek
geleneği sürdürmek
ilişkiyi sürdürmek
çalışmaları sürdürmek
sessizliğini sürdürmek
mücadeleyi sürdürmek
varlığını sürdürmek
politikayı sürdürmek
tempoyu sürdürmek
diyaloğu sürdürmek

Common Phrases

Yaşamını sürdürmek

— To go on living or to survive in a certain way.

Emekli olduktan sonra sakin bir yaşam sürdürüyor.

Görevi sürdürmek

— To continue holding a position or office.

Üç dönemdir başkanlık görevini sürdürüyor.

İletişimi sürdürmek

— To keep in touch or maintain communication.

Mezun olduktan sonra da iletişimi sürdürdük.

Eski alışkanlıklarını sürdürmek

— To keep up old habits.

Hala eski alışkanlıklarını sürdürmesi şaşırtıcı.

Süreci sürdürmek

— To keep a process going.

Barış sürecini sürdürmek için her iki taraf da çaba harcıyor.

İşbirliğini sürdürmek

— To continue a partnership or cooperation.

Yeni projelerde de işbirliğini sürdürmek istiyoruz.

Dostluğu sürdürmek

— To maintain a friendship.

Yıllar geçse de dostluğumuzu sürdürmeyi başardık.

Kararlılığını sürdürmek

— To remain determined.

Protestocular kararlılıklarını sürdürüyorlar.

Aynı tavrı sürdürmek

— To maintain the same attitude.

Eleştirilere rağmen aynı tavrı sürdürdü.

Sözünü sürdürmek

— To continue speaking (after an interruption).

Biraz durakladıktan sonra sözünü sürdürdü.

Idioms & Expressions

"Adını sürdürmek"

— To keep someone's name/legacy alive.

Oğluna babasının adını vererek onun adını sürdürdü.

General
"Neslini sürdürmek"

— To continue one's lineage or species.

Hayvanlar nesillerini sürdürmek için göç ederler.

Scientific/General
"Saltanatını sürdürmek"

— To continue one's 'reign' (often used metaphorically for being in control).

Takım, ligdeki saltanatını sürdürüyor.

Metaphorical
"Hükmünü sürdürmek"

— To continue to be in effect or to dominate.

Kış mevsimi hala hükmünü sürdürüyor.

Literary
"Sefalet sürdürmek"

— To live in misery or extreme poverty.

Yıllarca sefalet sürdürdükten sonra zengin oldu.

General
"Keyif sürdürmek"

— To continue enjoying oneself.

Yazlıkta keyif sürdürüyorlar.

Informal
"İzini sürdürmek"

— To keep following someone's trace or path (often figurative).

Ustasının izini sürdürerek büyük bir sanatçı oldu.

General
"Varlığını sürdürmek"

— To continue to exist despite challenges.

Bu küçük dükkan dev marketlere karşı varlığını sürdürüyor.

General
"Sessizliğini sürdürmek"

— To remain silent on a specific issue.

Sanık, tüm sorulara karşı sessizliğini sürdürdü.

Legal/News
"Geleneği sürdürmek"

— To keep a tradition going.

Her yıl aynı yerde toplanarak geleneği sürdürüyoruz.

General
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!