ترک refers to a group of people primarily associated with the Turkic ethnic group, originating from Central Asia. They share a common language family known as Turkic languages, which includes languages like Turkish, Azerbaijani, and Kazakh. The term can also refer to the cultural and historical aspects of these communities. In a broader context, "ترک" can denote the modern nation of Turkey, where the majority of the population identifies as Turkish. The Ottoman Empire, which was a significant historical entity, played a crucial role in shaping the identity and culture of the Turks, influencing regions across Europe, Asia, and Africa.