Mushakalah, derived from the Arabic root “???” (shakl), is a term in the science of balâgha (rhetoric), specifically within the domain of badî’ (literary arts), that refers to the use of two words with identical or similar forms but differing meanings within a single expression. This literary device enhances the aesthetic and rhythmic quality of speech in both form and meaning. Mushakalah involves the skillful use of a word in different contexts with distinct meanings. In other words, it manifests in dialogues when one party’s word is reiterated by another with a different sense or idea. This technique imbues the expression with formal and semantic elegance. Early rhetoricians classified Mushakalah as part of the badî’ branch of rhetoric. Defined and categorized through the contributions of scholars such as Zamakhsharî, Sakkâkî, and Qazwînî, the art was later enriched with diverse interpretations and examples. However, information on Mushakalah in Turkish rhetorical texts remains limited. For instance, Tâhirü’l-Mevlevî notes that Mushakalah is associated with verbs, whereby a word is repeated with varying meanings due to this connection. Mushakalah comprises three components: Mushakal, Mushakil, and alâqa. In an expression, the word used first in its literal sense constitutes the Mushakal, while the same word, used within the same expression but in a figurative sense, forms the Mushakil. Alâqa, in turn, denotes the rationale behind the semantic distinction between Mushakal and Mushakil. This study will provide detailed insights into Mushakalah and analyze couplets containing the verbs “aç-” (open), “ak-” (flow), “at-” (throw), “çek-” (pull), “çık-” (exit), “düş-” (fall), “gir-” (enter), “oku-” (read), “ol-” (be), “salın-” (sway), and “uç-” (fly) in terms of Mushakalah ‘s components.

Divan poetry, rhetorical repetition, expression, semantic connection.