مایوس
mayus
The English word 'desperate' can be translated into Urdu as مایوس (mayus).
While 'desperate' in English can describe someone who is in dire need of something, the Urdu word مایوس primarily carries the connotation of being 'hopeless' or 'despairing'.
Meaning: in dire need (of something) (adj)
Which one should you use?
A common synonym for مایوس is ناامید, which specifically emphasizes a lack of hope.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective مایوس is indeclinable, meaning it does not change its form to match the gender or number of the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
mayus
Did you know?
- In Urdu poetry, specifically in the 'ghazal' tradition, being مایوس is often romanticized as a noble state of longing for an unattainable lover.
- If you were to call someone 'a desperate person' in English, it might imply they are dangerous. If you call someone مایوس in Urdu, you are expressing sympathy for their profound sorrow rather than cautioning against their behavior.
- The word مایوس is a linguistic traveler that began in Arabic and traveled through Persian before arriving in Urdu. This demonstrates how much of Urdu's sophisticated emotional vocabulary is rooted in much older Semitic and Indo-Iranian roots.
Example conversation
Hamza is talking to Fatima about a friend's difficult situation.
- حمزہ Hamzaمیرا دوست کام کے لیے بہت مایوس ہے۔Mera dost kaam ke liye bohat mayoos hai.My friend is very desperate for work.
- فاطمہ Fatimaکیا اس کے پاس کوئی مہارت ہے؟Kya us ke paas koi maharat hai?Does he have any skills?
- حمزہ Hamzaہاں، وہ ایک اچھا گرافک ڈیزائنر ہے۔Haan, woh ek acha graphic designer hai.Yes, he is a good graphic designer.
- فاطمہ Fatimaمیں اس کی مدد کرنے کی کوشش کروں گی۔Main us ki madad karne ki koshish karoon gi.I will try to help him.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries مایوس, CC BY-SA 4.0.
