Word Meaning
अज़-आश्ना
az-āshnā
Meaning
From an acquaintance, friend, or familiar person.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Persian and Persianized Urdu verse, 'az-āshnā' combines the preposition 'az' (from) with 'āshnā' (known, friend). In this couplet, it appears in the correlative phrase 'az-āshnā tā-āshnā' (from one acquaintance to another), distinguishing superficial companionship from true spiritual affinity. It highlights the vast difference in depth among seemingly similar relationships.
Etymology
Persian: compound of preposition 'az' (از, meaning 'from') and 'āshnā' (آشنا, meaning 'acquainted, friend').
Usage
Frequently used in classical verse in comparative constructions such as 'az-āshnā tā-begānah' to contrast degrees of closeness, loyalty, and alienation.
Examples
Farq mī-bīnam az-āshnā tā-begānah
Niyāz-e-dil ba-yak nigah az-āshnā rasīd