# Doha

/ˈdoʊˌhɑ/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/doha
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a short poem or song from India that has only two lines. Both lines rhyme at the end and have a specific rhythm.

For teachers: a self-contained rhyming couplet in Hindi and Urdu poetry, traditionally composed in the Apabhramsha or Braj Bhasha dialects. Each line consists of twenty-four matras (beats) following a specific syllabic structure.

## Examples

- The poet recited a beautiful doha about wisdom.
- Many students in India learn the dohas of Kabir to understand complex moral lessons through simple, two-line verses.
- The doha remains a vital form in South Asian literature, packing profound philosophical insights into a rigid metrical structure that demands both brevity and lyrical precision.

## Usage notes

- Commonly refers to the works of medieval poets like Kabir, Tulsidas, or Rahim.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.