Word Meaning
ख़्वाहिश
Khwaahish
Meaning
desire, wish, longing, craving, ambition
Detailed Meaning
A deep desire, longing, yearning, or aspiration of the heart. In Urdu and Hindi poetry (especially ghazals), 'khwaahish' is a foundational thematic motif depicting the endless nature of mortal desires, unattainable romantic ideals, or unfulfilled human yearnings.
Etymology
Persian 'خواهش' (khwāhish), derived from the infinitive 'خواستن' (khwāstan, meaning 'to want, wish, or desire').
Usage
In classical Persian-Urdu prosody, the letter 'waw' in 'ख़्वाहिश' is 'waw-e-ma'dula' (silent/suppressed), often scanned and recited closer to 'ख़ाहिश' (Khaahish) in metered verses, though modern everyday Hindi-Urdu usually pronounces the 'w' softly.
Examples
Hazaaron khwaahishein aisi ki har khwaahish pe dam nikle / Bahut nikle mire armaan lekin phir bhi kam nikle. — Mirza Ghalib