नाख़ून

Meaning

Nail, claw, or talon.

Detailed Meaning

In classical Urdu poetry, 'naakhun' denotes a fingernail or claw, commonly serving as an instrument of scratching and tearing. In this couplet, it represents the physical agent inflicting visible wounds and scratches on the face, metaphorically framed as the lover's craftsmanship. It often symbolizes the sharp marks of intense passion, torment, or inner madness.

Etymology

Persian 'nāxun' (नाख़ुन/ناخن), cognate with Sanskrit 'nakha' (नख).

Usage

In ghazal tradition, 'naakhun' is frequently paired with themes of tearing collars (chāk-e-garebān) or scratching deep wounds in states of ecstatic madness (junūn).

Examples

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Related Words