Did you know the Arabic language has around 14 different words for “love”? Each of these expresses a distinct phase of the wonderful feeling of falling in love.
It begins with Al-Hawa, the first spark of attraction, and Al-Sabwa, the playful infatuation when two people are getting to know each other.
When love begins to surface, it moves to Al-Shaghaf, followed by Al-Wajd, when thoughts of the loved one begin to consume the mind.
With time, love can ache and intensify: Al-Kalaf speaks of the longing desire that borders on pain, Al-Oshok of devotion and adoration, and Al-Najwa of when love is so consuming it triggers feelings of sadness.
Then comes Al-Shawq, a deep yearning to be close, and Al-Wasab, the torment of loving too deeply. In Al-Istikana, love becomes an unhealthy, blind submission.
At its most beautiful, love softens into Al-Wodd, a gentle tenderness where the couple are not only lovers but also best friends, and Al-Kholla describes two soul-mates. Al-Gharam describes love that binds and clings, and finally comes Al-Hoyam, the madness of being completely, overwhelmingly in love.
Fourteen words, fourteen phases of feeling – because love, in every language, is never just one thing.
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