The Arabic word hanan means affection in English.
The Arabic word hanan means affection in English.
The Arabic word hanan means affection in English.
The Arabic word hanan means affection in English.

‘Hanan’: Arabic word for affection or compassion can also be a name


Maan Jalal
  • English
  • Arabic

Many Arabic words can have several meanings or, depending on the context and changes to pronunciation, variations derived from the root of the word.

Such is the case for this week’s Arabic word, hanan. While it can simply mean affection or compassion, hanan also denotes a deeper idea of sympathy, or a feeling of concern or pity for the misfortunes of others. It also encompasses empathy, meaning not only feeling what another person is feeling but the type of compassion that propels one to relieve the suffering of another person.

It can also mean kindness, to be warm hearted, and is a derivative of love. In its adjective form, hanoon for males and hanoona for females, it can also mean someone who is loving, warm and kind.

Hanan is also used as a name, more commonly for girls. Another version of the name is Haneen, whose meaning leans more towards a warm and gentle nature.

One of the verb variations of hanan is yahinn, which means to long or yearn for someone or something.

Celebrated and award-winning Palestinian author and poet Mahmoud Darwish uses this variation of hanan in one of his most famous poems, My Mother, from 1965. Known as the national poet of Palestine, Darwish’s subject matter in his literature and poetry always centred around themes of Palestinian identity.

In his poem My Mother, Darwish uses ahinn, the idea of compassionately longing, to express feelings towards his mother, who acts as a metaphor for his homeland. The poem begins with Darwish’s declaration that he longs for his mother’s bread, her coffee and her touch.

Celebrated Palestinian-Lebanese musical composer, singer and oud player Marcel Khalife turned Darwish’s poem into a song as part of his Arab-Andalusian influenced album, Promises of a Storm, in 1976.

Scroll through the gallery below to see The National's pick of Arabic words of the week

  • Hob is the Arabic word for love, but can be used in many contexts
    Hob is the Arabic word for love, but can be used in many contexts
  • The Arabic word helu translates, in English, to sweet
    The Arabic word helu translates, in English, to sweet
  • Nashef is the Arabic word for dry, but has many connotations, depending on the context in which you use it
    Nashef is the Arabic word for dry, but has many connotations, depending on the context in which you use it
  • The Arabic word hurriyeh translates to freedom in English
    The Arabic word hurriyeh translates to freedom in English
  • The Arabic word tayeb can mean delicious or good, depending on the context
    The Arabic word tayeb can mean delicious or good, depending on the context
  • The Arabic word mustaqbal is best expressed as future in English
    The Arabic word mustaqbal is best expressed as future in English
  • Waqaa, the Arabic word for fall, can signify a loss of power, stature, health or grace
    Waqaa, the Arabic word for fall, can signify a loss of power, stature, health or grace
  • Hudood means borders in English
    Hudood means borders in English
  • The Arabic word rooh translates to spirit or soul in English
    The Arabic word rooh translates to spirit or soul in English
  • The Arabic word ain means eye in English
    The Arabic word ain means eye in English
  • Waraq, the Arabic word of the week means paper in English
    Waraq, the Arabic word of the week means paper in English
  • Bahr, the Arabic for sea, has a poetic lilt
    Bahr, the Arabic for sea, has a poetic lilt
  • Kareem means generous in English
    Kareem means generous in English
  • Bab means door in English
    Bab means door in English
  • Eid means holiday or festival
    Eid means holiday or festival
  • Najm means star for the night sky and cosmos, but also has plenty of other meanings, including ambition or fame
    Najm means star for the night sky and cosmos, but also has plenty of other meanings, including ambition or fame
  • Alwan, the Arabic word for colours, has many shades of meaning
    Alwan, the Arabic word for colours, has many shades of meaning
  • Akel can refer to home-cooked meals, embezzlement, fire and rust
    Akel can refer to home-cooked meals, embezzlement, fire and rust
  • Jamal is the Arabic word for beauty, be it literal or figurative
    Jamal is the Arabic word for beauty, be it literal or figurative
  • Herfe translates to profession or craft
    Herfe translates to profession or craft
  • Tabiaa translates to nature and can frame landscapes and portraits
    Tabiaa translates to nature and can frame landscapes and portraits
  • Sehha is the Arabic word for health
    Sehha is the Arabic word for health
  • Ijaza is Arabic for holiday and shines in summer but is not stress-free
    Ijaza is Arabic for holiday and shines in summer but is not stress-free
  • Aamal is the Arabic word for work
    Aamal is the Arabic word for work
  • Al dahr translates to time
    Al dahr translates to time
  • Qalb is a word for heart, with poetic roots
    Qalb is a word for heart, with poetic roots
  • Lugha in Arabic translates to language in English
    Lugha in Arabic translates to language in English
  • Insaan means human being
    Insaan means human being
  • Na'eeman is an idiomatic expression used when someone has had a shower or bath, a haircut or had their beard trimmed
    Na'eeman is an idiomatic expression used when someone has had a shower or bath, a haircut or had their beard trimmed
  • The Arabic word for life touches on eternity, death and accomplishment
    The Arabic word for life touches on eternity, death and accomplishment
  • Qamar is the Arabic for moon
    Qamar is the Arabic for moon
  • The Arabic word for strength or power is quwwa
    The Arabic word for strength or power is quwwa
  • Burj is Arabic for tower
    Burj is Arabic for tower
  • The Arabic word for sun is shams
    The Arabic word for sun is shams
  • Sabr in English can translate to patience
    Sabr in English can translate to patience
  • Hayba is the Arabic word for prestige
    Hayba is the Arabic word for prestige
  • The Arabic term al shay'e translates as 'the thing' in English
    The Arabic term al shay'e translates as 'the thing' in English
  • The Arabic word for road is tareeq
    The Arabic word for road is tareeq
  • The Arabic word for read has mystical and scholarly connotations
    The Arabic word for read has mystical and scholarly connotations
  • Istikan is the Arabic word for a type of tea cup
    Istikan is the Arabic word for a type of tea cup
  • The Arabic word hanan means affection in English
    The Arabic word hanan means affection in English
  • The Arabic word atlal means ruins in English
    The Arabic word atlal means ruins in English
  • Kura is the Arabic word for ball, in all its forms
    Kura is the Arabic word for ball, in all its forms
  • Janaah in Arabic means wing in English
    Janaah in Arabic means wing in English
  • The Arabic word sana translates to year in English
    The Arabic word sana translates to year in English
  • Qasida is the Arabic for poem, not poetry
    Qasida is the Arabic for poem, not poetry
  • Ameer, the Arabic word for prince, which influenced another English title
    Ameer, the Arabic word for prince, which influenced another English title
  • Nakhla translates to palm tree in English
    Nakhla translates to palm tree in English
  • Al samt is the Arabic for silence
    Al samt is the Arabic for silence
  • Kalimaat translates to words in English
    Kalimaat translates to words in English
  • Markaz is Arabic for centre
    Markaz is Arabic for centre
  • Beshara is the Arabic word for good news
    Beshara is the Arabic word for good news
  • Bayt is the Arabic for house or home
    Bayt is the Arabic for house or home
  • Fann is the Arabic word for art, and can be either a verb or an adjective
    Fann is the Arabic word for art, and can be either a verb or an adjective
  • Isim, which means name, is made up of three letters, alif, seen and meem
    Isim, which means name, is made up of three letters, alif, seen and meem
  • Dunya is the Arabic word for world
    Dunya is the Arabic word for world
  • Nazaafah translates to cleanliness in English
    Nazaafah translates to cleanliness in English
  • Many traditions revolve around drinking coffee, including weddings, funerals and business meetings
    Many traditions revolve around drinking coffee, including weddings, funerals and business meetings
  • Fajr is the Arabic word for dawn
    Fajr is the Arabic word for dawn
  • Maghrib is the Arabic word for sunset
    Maghrib is the Arabic word for sunset
  • The Arabic language is filled with idioms, quotes and colloquial quips involving the mirror
    The Arabic language is filled with idioms, quotes and colloquial quips involving the mirror
  • Raei is the Arabic word for opinion
    Raei is the Arabic word for opinion
  • Wa'ed is a multifaceted word for 'promise', as well as a female name
    Wa'ed is a multifaceted word for 'promise', as well as a female name
  • Qussa is the Arabic word for story
    Qussa is the Arabic word for story
  • Sadaaka is the Arabic word for friendship
    Sadaaka is the Arabic word for friendship
  • Akhbaar is the Arabic word for news
    Akhbaar is the Arabic word for news
  • Rasem is made up of the three Arabic letters Rah, Seen and Meem. While it can simply mean a drawing or a sketch it’s also a malleable word whose definition can change depending on context and dialect – particularly between colloquial and classical Arabic.
    Rasem is made up of the three Arabic letters Rah, Seen and Meem. While it can simply mean a drawing or a sketch it’s also a malleable word whose definition can change depending on context and dialect – particularly between colloquial and classical Arabic.
  • As well as finishing a task, khatem denotes a deeper sense of finality
    As well as finishing a task, khatem denotes a deeper sense of finality
  • Commonly translated to blessed, mubarak is used as a popular greeting on auspicious days
    Commonly translated to blessed, mubarak is used as a popular greeting on auspicious days
  • The Arabic word for lighthouse is also a term that has become closely associated with Islam
    The Arabic word for lighthouse is also a term that has become closely associated with Islam
  • Siyaam, the Arabic word for fasting is also connected to silence
    Siyaam, the Arabic word for fasting is also connected to silence
  • Tawbah, the Arabic word for repentance, is also connected to Ramadan
    Tawbah, the Arabic word for repentance, is also connected to Ramadan
  • Safar, the Arabic Word for travel can also refer to sunny days, a brighter-blazing fire or exile. The National
    Safar, the Arabic Word for travel can also refer to sunny days, a brighter-blazing fire or exile. The National
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Sector: E-commerce 

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THE SPECS

      

 

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Updated: November 25, 2022, 6:02 PM