What it means
فلاسک (flâsk) means a thermos or vacuum flask, an insulated container that keeps liquids hot or cold for an extended period. Dehkhoda labels it as (فرانسوی یا انگلیسی), meaning the word entered Persian from French or English. In Persian its meaning has narrowed to the insulated thermos type rather than any general bottle shape. The contrast with قمقمه (qomqome) is useful: قمقمه is a plain water bottle or canteen with no insulation, while فلاسک always implies heat or cold retention. Iranian families commonly own one for tea on road trips or at work.
How to use it
- فلاسک چایی رو پر کردم که تو راه بخوریم. (flâsk-e châyi ro por kardam ke tu râh bekhorim.) “I filled the thermos with tea so we can drink it on the way.”
- این فلاسک تا ده ساعت نوشیدنی رو گرم نگه میداره. (in flâsk tâ dah sâat nushidani ro garm negah midâre.) “This thermos keeps drinks hot for up to ten hours.”
- یه فلاسک خوب برای سفر لازمه. (ye flâsk khub barâye safar lâzeme.) “A good thermos is necessary for traveling.”
- فلاسک آب سردم رو گذاشتم تو کیفم. (flâsk-e âb-e sardam ro gozâshtam tu kifam.) “I put my cold-water thermos in my bag.”
Cultural note
Tea culture in Iran makes the فلاسک a practical necessity. Families heading to picnics, mountains, or long drives almost always pack a large thermos of brewed tea. In offices, a فلاسک of hot water for tea or instant coffee is common on desks. The word فلاسک is fully naturalized in Persian and is used even in formal retail contexts such as product labels and store signage.