Hi,

I am having trouble understanding the difference between these two verbs. I understand görünmek is used more for personal appearce like "sen çok güzel görünüyorsun" but besides this I am really unsure when to specifically use either one.

Thanks

The suffix  -ık  alters  nouns or  verbs into   intransitive verbs. 

 The  suffix - In  has the same function.

transitive verb = the verb that takes an object

intransitive  verb = the verb that doesn´t  take a direct object

göz --> eye

göz  +  ük   ---> gözükmek  ---> appear,  to appear as, look like, give the impression of,  to be seen; to appear, to seem; to show oneself

gör     +   ün  ----> görünmek  ---->appear,  to appear as, look like, give the impression of,  to be seen; to appear, to seem; to show oneself

Therefore these two verbs are interchangeably used at present time.

Bugün  çok  yorgun görünüyorsun -->  You look very tired  today.

Bugün   çok  yorgun  gözüküyorsun  ---> You  look  very tired today.

[Sen]   çok   güzel   görünüyorsun  =  [ Sen]  çok  güzel gözüküyorsun.

At the end of the day  both  say the same things. I mean, I don´t see much difference between them.

But when we describe   something  "invisible, unseen" we prefer to use "görünmek´

görünmeyen  varlıklar ---> unseen [invisible] beings

görünmez   varlıklar  --> invisible  beings.

we can not say "gözükmez  varlıklar "  

görünmek is passive. somene else does the action. gözükmek is active. the object itself does the action. makes itself appear. something cant görünmek by itself, it needs someone else to do it. however gözükmek is a direct verb. thats why we use "görünmez" for invisible things, you cant be invisible without other people that are not able to see you.

for example: ahmet kapıda göründü - people saw ahmet at the door

ahmet öğretmene gözüktü - ahmet made himself seen to the teacher (meaning he stopped by the teacher)

generally there isnt much differentce in the grammar since both of them use the same suffixes and structure and everything. a kedi gözüktü is said in the same way as with a kedi göründü.

In casual life we use both of them but i think "görünmek" is more rational because when we looked at their origin´s there is a verb as "gör-mek" but there isnt a verb as "göz-mek"

GÖRÜNMEK & GÖZÜKMEK

Literally, both verbs are very close to "seem", "appear"

To me the subtle difference is as follows:

"Görünmek" is associated not with how a subject really is, but it is associated with that object´s perception by the viewer. I would prefer "görünmek" if I feel the perception of the viewer and the actual status of the object viewed closely match.

"Gözükmek", to my ear has a "false" ring to it. I would prefer using "gözükmek" if I was in doubt that my perceptions of the object reflects reality., ie. that reality and my perceptions might differ.

Believe it , or not !