جارو

What it means

جارو (jâru) means “broom,” the handled tool you use to sweep dust and dirt off the floor. It is a native Persian word, and it stretches a little beyond the tool itself: جارو کردن (jâru kardan) is the verb “to sweep,” and a vacuum cleaner is جاروبرقی (jâru-barghi), literally an “electric broom.” A close everyday companion is خاک‌انداز (khâk-andâz), the dustpan you sweep into.

How to use it

• اتاق رو جارو کن (otâq ro jâru kon) “sweep the room”
• جارو کجاست؟ (jâru kojâst?) “where is the broom?”
• حیاط رو جارو کردم (hayât ro jâru kardam) “I swept the yard”
• با جاروبرقی فرش رو تمیز کن (bâ jâru-barghi farsh ro tamiz kon) “clean the carpet with the vacuum”

Cultural note

Sweeping is a daily habit in most Iranian homes, especially since shoes come off at the door and floors are kept clean for sitting and praying. Before Nowruz, families do خانه‌تکانی (khâne-tekâni), a deep spring cleaning where the broom and vacuum get heavy use. Many homes keep both a stiff broom for the yard and a softer one or a vacuum for carpets indoors.

References

• Dehkhoda
• Vajehyab