Word Meaning
बद-ज़बान
bad-zaban
hiadjective
Meaning
Foul-mouthed, abusive, or malicious of speech; sharp-tongued.
Detailed Meaning
Denotes an individual who speaks harshly, abusively, or deceitfully. In this couplet, it describes close companions or kin whose bitter remarks wound like sharp, poisoned blades disguised as harmless blades of grass. It emphasizes the silent malice and verbal cruelty of ostensibly dear ones.
Etymology
Persian compound formed from 'bad' (evil, foul) and 'zabān' (tongue, speech).
Usage
In classical Urdu poetry, it is often juxtaposed with 'shīrīn-zabān' to contrast the deceit and verbal cruelty of rivals or unfaithful friends with the idealized beloved.
Examples
The slander of foul-mouthed rivals
A sharp-tongued companion disguised as a friend
Synonyms
कटुभाषीदुर्मुखबद-कलामदुरुश्त-गो
Related Words
बद-ज़बानीज़बान-दराज़शीरीं-ज़बान