Meaning of
naakaam
नाकाम • ناکام
English
unsuccessful; failed; unfulfilled
Hindi
असफल; विफल; अधूरा
Urdu
ناکام; نامراد; نامکمل
Origin
Persian
Ash'aar
badal ja tu nahin to rab ka ye paighaam aayega
tu zalim har jagah se bebas-o-naakaam aayega
hamaare mulk ki barbaadiyon ka zikr jab hogaa
sar-e-fehrist ai zalim teraa hi naam aayega
15
dil na-umeed to nahin naakaam hi to hai
lambi hai gham ki shaam magar shaam hi to hai
269
karunga kya jo mohabbat men ho gaya naakaam
mujhe to aur koi kaam bhi nahin aata
64
main kaise maan luun ki ishq bas ik baar hota hai
tujhe jitni dafa dekhooñ mujhe har baar hota hai
tujhe paane ki hasrat aur dar na-kaamiyaabi ka
inheen do teen baaton se ye dil do chaar hota hai
49
mujhe maaloom hai us ka thikaana phir kahaan hogaa
parinda aasmaañ choone men jab naakaam ho jaa.e
40
mire saleeqe se meri nibhi mohabbat men
tamaam umr main naakaamiyon se kaam liya
39
haay re majbooriyaan mahroomiyaan naakaamiyaan
ishq aaKHir ishq hai tum kya karo ham kya karen
33
KHud-kushi karne men bhi naakaam rah jaate hain ham
kaun amrit ghol deta hai hamaare zahar men
24
titliyan udti hain aur un ko pakadne waale
saii-e-naakaam men apnon se bichhad jaate hain
16
dil-kharaashi-o-jigar-chaaki-o-khoon-afshaani
hooñ to naakaam pa rahte hain mujhe kaam bahut
16
badal ja tu nahin to rab ka ye paighaam aayega
tu zalim har jagah se bebas-o-naakaam aayega
hamaare mulk ki barbaadiyon ka zikr jab hogaa
sar-e-fehrist ai zalim teraa hi naam aayega
15
dil na-umeed to nahin naakaam hi to hai
lambi hai gham ki shaam magar shaam hi to hai
269
Nuance
Naakaam carries the weight of dreams unfulfilled and efforts that fall short. In poetry, it resonates with the melancholy of aspirations that remain out of reach, capturing the essence of human vulnerability and the bittersweet nature of longing.
Poetic Usage
Poets often use 'naakaam' to express the sorrow of unachieved desires. It can evoke the image of a lone figure standing amidst the ruins of ambition. The word contrasts with success, highlighting the poignancy of human effort.
Closing Insight
Naakaam speaks to the heart's deepest yearnings and the inevitable gaps between dreams and reality. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.