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hejira: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low
UK/hɪˈdʒaɪərə/US/hɪˈdʒaɪrə/

Formal, Literary

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Quick answer

What does “hejira” mean?

A journey or migration, especially one made to escape danger or persecution.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A journey or migration, especially one made to escape danger or persecution.

A significant departure or exodus from a place, often implying a difficult or transformative journey undertaken for survival or religious reasons.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally rare in both varieties.

Connotations

In both varieties, the word evokes historical/religious migrations and is used in elevated contexts.

Frequency

Extremely low frequency in both British and American English; primarily found in historical, religious, or literary texts.

Grammar

How to Use “hejira” in a Sentence

make a hejira [from X] [to Y]the hejira of [GROUP] from [PLACE]embark on a hejira

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
the great hejiramake a hejiraforced hejira
medium
spiritual hejirahejira fromhejira to safety
weak
long hejiradangerous hejirahistoric hejira

Examples

Examples of “hejira” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • The community was forced to hejira to the northern territories.

American English

  • Dissidents planned to hejira before the crackdown.

adverb

British English

  • The tribe moved hejira, with only what they could carry.

American English

  • They travelled hejira, under cover of darkness.

adjective

British English

  • The hejira experience shaped their cultural identity.

American English

  • They followed a hejira route through the mountains.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Virtually never used.

Academic

Used in historical, religious studies, or literary analysis contexts to describe specific migrations.

Everyday

Extremely rare; would be considered a very learned or poetic choice.

Technical

Not used in technical fields.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “hejira”

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “hejira”

returnhomecomingarrivalsettlement

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “hejira”

  • Misspelling as 'hegira' (an accepted variant) or 'hijra'.
  • Using it to refer to any ordinary trip.
  • Incorrect stress: stressing the first syllable.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

It comes from Arabic 'hijrah', meaning 'departure' or 'exodus', specifically referring to the Prophet Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.

No, they are completely different words. 'Hijab' refers to a headscarf or veil, while 'hejira' refers to a journey or migration.

Yes, but it is rare and literary. It can metaphorically describe any significant, forced, or transformative departure, e.g., 'his hejira from the banking world to become an artist'.

'Hegira' is the most common English spelling, but 'hejira' and 'hijra' are also accepted variants.

A journey or migration, especially one made to escape danger or persecution.

Hejira is usually formal, literary in register.

Hejira: in British English it is pronounced /hɪˈdʒaɪərə/, and in American English it is pronounced /hɪˈdʒaɪrə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “There is no common idiom based on 'hejira'.”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of 'HE JIpped out of RA' (He got out of Egypt/Ra quickly) as a forced journey.

Conceptual Metaphor

LIFE IS A JOURNEY, specifically a difficult journey of escape and transformation.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
Facing persecution, the religious minority began a perilous to a neighbouring country.
Multiple Choice

In which context is the word 'hejira' most appropriately used?

hejira: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples | Lingvocore