Alvidaa
30 Mar 2012 08:42
Peter in Stirling
New MemberHi,
None of my dictionaries, nor this shabdkosh, seem to have alvidaa (as in the film title kabhi alvida na kahna). It’s evident that it’s translated as ‘good bye’, but what is its origin? Is it a relatively new coinage?
Peter
Udasibaba
New MemberI’d need to verify this but I’m inclined to suggest that it’s from Arabic… al-vida with ‘al’ being the definite article.
Udasibaba
New MemberPeter, the Oxford Hindi-English by R.S. McGregor contains it. This dictionary is the one to get if you don’t have it.
alvidA is indeed derived from the Arabic al vida’. It’s meaning is 1. the last Friday in RamazAn, 2. goodbye!
In the same dictionary, a visit to the word vidA directs you to bidA, no doubt the Hindi form of it, yet in parenthesis containing Arabic. vidA’, and the meaning given is 1. permission to depart; taking leave. 2. departure, etc.
Keen Linguist
MemberYes, its actually al-widaa. There is no /v/ in Arabic. It can be seen in the term
“Hajjat-al-widaa” which refers to the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) final Hajj or pilgrimage.
Udasibaba
New MemberIndeed it is w. An oversight on my part. Shukran habibi.