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
