Rohani
/roʊˈhɑːni/noun
A Persian- and South Asian–derived adjective meaning spiritual, sacred, or pertaining to the soul.
Did you know?Rohani ultimately derives from the Semitic root associated with breath, wind, and spirit—the same symbolic connection found in Hebrew ruach.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*rūḥ-
“Breath, wind, or animating spirit”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
rūḥ
“Spirit, soul, breath, or divine life-force”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
rūḥānī
“Spiritual, belonging to the spirit”
Medieval Persian
Persian
rūḥānī
“Spiritual, mystical, or concerned with the soul”
Modern South Asian usage
Urdu/Hindi
rūhānī / roohani
“Spiritual, soulful, or supernatural”
Modern English
English
Rohani
“A loanword or personal name used in English contexts for spiritual or soul-related meanings”