Word Meaning
बे-नफ़स
be-nafas
hiadjective
Meaning
Breathless, voiceless, lifeless, or lacking vital energy and vigor.
Detailed Meaning
Literally signifying one without breath or voice, 'be-nafas' denotes silence, utter exhaustion, or death. In satirical poetry targeting ascetic figures like the Shaikh, it mockingly implies physical decrepitude, debility, or the absence of masculine vigor.
Etymology
Persian prepositional prefix 'be-' (without) joined with Arabic 'nafas' (breath, respiration).
Usage
Commonly used in ghazals to reflect utter helplessness or silence, and satirically in hazal to mock physical infirmity.
Examples
A breathless captive lamenting silently in the cage.
He lay breathless at the threshold of the beloved.
Synonyms
बे-दमबे-जानख़ामोश
Related Words
नफ़सदमनफ़स-सुख़्ता