Word Meaning
नाँ
naan
hinoun
Meaning
Bread, food, or material sustenance.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Persian and Urdu poetry, 'naan' means bread or daily food. In this couplet, it appears in the compound 'aab-o-naan' (water and bread), symbolizing mere physical sustenance and mortal bodily needs. The poet distinguishes the transcendent, pure soul from the physical body, which is merely a surplus born of food and drink.
Etymology
From Persian 'نان' (nān), meaning bread or food.
Usage
Frequently paired with 'aab' (water) in classical verse to signify minimal worldly livelihood, often contrasted with spiritual pursuit.
Examples
a prisoner trapped in the grief of water and bread
contentment with a single dry crust of bread
Synonyms
नानरोटीग़िज़ाख़ुराक
Related Words
आब-ओ-नाँरोज़ीलुक़्माहयात