नन्हा

Inherited from Old Hindi नन्हा (nanhā), नान्हा (nānhā), from Prakrit लण्ह (laṇha) + Middle Indo-Aryan -𑀓- (-ka-), from Sanskrit श्लक्ष्ण (ślakṣṇá, “soft, smooth”). The assimilation of initial l- to n- is seen in a handful of other terms; compare नुचना (nucnā).

• (Delhi) IPA^(key): /nən.ɦɑː/, [nɐ̃n.ɦäː]

नन्हा • (nanhā) (Urdu spelling ننھا)

1. small, little

   Synonym: छोटा (choṭā)

   • 1962, “नन्हा मुन्ना राही हूँ”, in Shakeel Badayuni (lyrics), Naushad (music), Son of India, performed by Shanti Mathur:

     नन्हा मुन्ना राही हूँ
     देश का सिपाही हूँ
     बोलो मेरे संग
     जय हिंद, जय हिंद, जय हिंद

     nanhā munnā rāhī hū̃
     deś kā sipāhī hū̃
     bolo mere saṅg
     jay hind, jay hind, jay hind

     I'm a small cute traveller
     I'm the nation's soldier
     Now say with me
     Hail India, Hail India, Hail India