Word Meaning

तही

tahi

hiadjective

Meaning

Empty, void, destitute; (in compound) evading or turning away.

Detailed Meaning

Originating from Persian, 'tahi' fundamentally means empty, void, or devoid of something. In classical Urdu poetry, it most famously appears in the Persian compound idiom 'pehlu-tahi' (literally keeping one's flank empty, meaning to evade or shrink away from someone). In this couplet, it highlights the beloved's habitual evasion and reluctance to embrace the lover even on an auspicious occasion like Eid.

Etymology

Persian (تہی - empty, void, destitute).

Usage

In classical ghazals, 'tahi' commonly forms compounds conveying deprivation ('tahi-dast') or calculated aloofness ('pehlu-tahi').

Examples

pehluu-tahi karna (to shy away or evade)

tahi-dast o tahi-daaman (empty-handed and deprived)

Synonyms

ख़ालीशून्यरहित

Related Words

पहलू-तहीतही-दस्ततही-दामन
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