Ishq - As A Word in Different Languages

As A Word in Different Languages

This word has made its way to many other languages which were influenced by Arabic in one way or another. Some of the most notable languages which have borrowed it are Persian, Urdu, Pashto, Turkish, Azerbaijani (Azeri), Sindhi, Saraiki and Punjabi, and it is also sometimes used in Hindi

ʻIshq has a meaning of lustless love. In Arabic, which is its language of origin, it is a noun. However, in Urdu it is used as both verb and noun. ‘Āshiq (male) and ‘Āshiqah (female) are its subjective forms. Māshūq (male) and Māshūqah (female) are its objective forms. In addition to Arabic, these forms are used in Persian and Urdu.

In Urdu, Ishq (عشق) is used to refer to fervent love for any object, person or God. However, it is mostly used in its religious context. In Urdu, three very common religious terminologies have been derived from Ishq. These terminologies are Ishq-e-Haqīqi (love of Truth), Ishq-e majāzi (love of God's creation i.e. a human), and ishq-e rasūl / ishq-e Muhammadi (love of the Messenger / love of Muhammad). Other than these, in non-religious context, ‘ishq is a synonym for obsessive love.

In Hindi, ishq (इश्क़) is mostly used to refer to romantic love in its extreme passionate form. This interpretation of Ishq is mostly popularised by Bollywood movies and Indian filmi music.

In Turkish, Aşk is commonly used to express love, passion or adoration. The Turkish version replaces the 'q' with a 'k', as Turkish lacks voiceless uvular plosive, and the letter 'ş' with the cedilla denotes the "sh" sound, /ʃ/. In comparison to Arabic or Urdu, the word is less restricted and can be applied to many forms of love, or simply romance. It is common in lyrics of Turkish songs.