चालाक

Meaning

Clever, shrewd, cunning, agile, or quick-witted.

Detailed Meaning

In Urdu poetry, 'chalaak' conveys quickness of mind, agility, or calculating worldly cunning. In this couplet, combined into 'andesha-e-chalaak' (cunning/calculating intellect), it signifies the over-cautious, utilitarian rationality of the worldly mind, which Iqbal frequently contrasts with daring spiritual intuition and flight.

Etymology

Persian (چالاک - chālāk: nimble, active, clever).

Usage

In philosophical ghazals, it is frequently used pejoratively to signify overly cautious, worldly intellect contrasted with the reckless abandon of love ('ishq).

Examples

Synonyms

Related Words