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refrain

intermediateB2

/rɪˈfreɪn/ · re-frain

To hold oneself back from doing or expressing something.

Meanings

verbformal

To hold oneself back from doing or expressing something.

کسی چیز کو کرنے یا ظاہر کرنے سے خود کو روکے رکھنا۔

رک رکتے

ruk rukte

Formal: پرہیز کرنا

Synonyms

abstainhold backrestrainباز رہناپرہیز کرناروکنا

Antonyms

expressindulgeengageظاہر کرنالینامشغول ہونا

Common Collocations

  • refrain from singing
  • refrain from commenting
  • refrain from action

Example Sentences

She decided to refrain from commenting on the issue.

اس نے مسئلے پر تبصرہ کرنے سے رکنے کا فیصلہ کیا۔

Us ne masle par tabsara karne se rukne ka faisla kiya.

It's best to refrain from making hasty decisions.

جلدی فیصلے کرنے سے رکنے میں ہی بہتری ہے۔

Jaldi faislay karne se rukne mein hi behtari hai.

The teacher asked the students to refrain from speaking during the exam.

استاد نے طلبا سے امتحان کے دوران بولنے سے رکنے کو کہا۔

Ustaad ne talaba se imtihan ke doran bolne se rukne ko kaha.

Easily Confused With

retain:'Retain' refers to keeping something (like possession), while 'refrain' is about holding back actions or thoughts.

Word Family

refrainment
nounرک رکتے کا عمل
refrainer
nounرکنے والا

See Also

💡 Memory Tip

Think of a singer refraining from singing a song that is too high.

Picture someone with their mouth closed tightly, holding back words.

✍️ Urdu Poetry

غزل کہنے کی صورت میں چاہیے کہ رک جائیں، اجتہاد و فکر کی حدود میں رک جائیں۔

Ghazal kehne ki soorat mein chahiye keh ruk jayein, Ijtihad o fikr ki hudood mein ruk jayein.

In the context of expressing a ghazal, one should hold back, Let us pause within the limits of reasoning and thought.

Unknown, Unverified

* Poetry attribution is AI-generated and may require verification.

🗣️ Urdu Proverb

پہلا تیسرا نہیں ہوتا

Pehlā teesarā nahīn hotā

The first is not always the third.

📖 Etymology

Origin: Latin "refraenare" — to restrain or hold back

First known use: 14th century

The word 'refrain' evolved from the Latin 'refraenare', which means to hold back or restrain, emphasizing its usage in both musical and literary contexts.