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3 Urdu couplets and shers with nakaam

nakaam: without success, failure

Description of nakaam: Nakaam is an Urdu adjective meaning unsuccessful, failed, or not achieving the intended result. Unlike muvaffaq , which denotes triumph and accomplishment, it conveys disappointment from unmet goals. Differs from namuraad , as nakaam emphasizes active failure in endeavors rather than mere unachieved desires. In Urdu poetry, like Ghalib's ghazals, it evokes the poignant despair of thwarted love or ambition.

1 / 3: nakaam

dil na-ummeed to nahi nakaam hi to hai

lambi hai gham ki shaam

magar shaam hi to hai

the heart is not hopeless

just not sorted for now

long is the night of sorrow

yet, it is just a night (that'll pass)

Faiz Ahmad Faiz (22)

dil (m) (109)

heart

ummeed (m) (10)

hope, expectation

nakaam (3)

without success, failure

lambi (f) (2)

long

gham (m) (19)

sorrow, sadness

shaam (f) (21)

evening

magar (28)

yet, but

Theme: Grit, Resilience, & Courage (58)

3.7K

2 / 3: nakaam

be-kaif jawani be-dard zamana

nakaam-e-mohabbat ka

itna hi fasana

joyless youth,

painless life

for those unsuccessful in love,

this is the only story

Sarwar Alam Raz (2)

be-kaif (1)

withoutjoy

nakaam (3)

without success, failure

fasana (m) (1)

story

Theme: Life, Learning, & Living (127)

3.9K

3 / 3: nakaam

kisi manzil mein bhi haasil na hua dil ko qaraar

zindagi khwahish-e-nakaam

hi karte guzri

with no achievement in life did

my heart capture peace

my life was spent through a

series of unrequited desires

Qaisar Shameem (2)

manzil (f) (24)

goal, destination

haasil (m) (6)

capture, possess

dil (m) (109)

heart

qaraar (m) (5)

peace, calm, tranquil

zindagi (f) (41)

life

nakaam (3)

without success, failure

guzri (3)

spent, passed

Theme: Quest, Journey, & Destination (54)

5.0K

Featured Themes

Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (118)

Beauty, Charm, & Union (109)

Life, Learning, & Living (127)

Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

Voice, Expression, & Language (78)

Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

Miscellany (44)

Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (37)

Grit, Resilience, & Courage (58)

Home, Country, & Belonging (30)

Friends, Family, & Community (139)

Nature, World & Universe (50)

Love, Passion, and Longing (113)

Quest, Journey, & Destination (54)

Alfaaz Ki Mehfil is a curated space for timeless poetry celebrating words, emotions, and the enduring beauty of expression. From classic Urdu couplets to modern reflections, it brings together generations of poetic voices that speak of love, longing, hope, and the human soul.

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nakaam: without success, failure

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