Word Meaning
लड़ने
laṛne
Meaning
To fight, quarrel, or feign a dispute; here, lovers' playful bickering.
Detailed Meaning
In Urdu and Hindi poetry, 'लड़ने' is the oblique infinitive of 'लड़ना', signifying fighting, wrangling, or quarreling. In this couplet, it describes the beloved's instant, coquettish pretense of outrage and conflict upon being asked for a kiss ('bosa'). Rather than actual hostility, it evokes the teasing resistance and playful friction characteristic of romantic courtship.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle Indo-Aryan/Prakrit roots associated with playful contention and striving (cf. Desi origins related to 'लड़ना').
Usage
In classical ghazal poetry, verbs of fighting often describe the beloved's feigned anger, teasing friction, or seductive defiance rather than literal combat.
Examples
To start quarreling at the slightest pretext.
Pretending to fight out of coquettish charm.