What it means
کولهپشتی (kule-poshti) means backpack. The word is a native Persian compound built from کوله (kule, a bundle or pack carried on the body), پشت (posht, back), and the relational suffix ی (-i), giving the meaning “pack of the back” or “thing carried on the back.” It is a transparent and descriptive word, built entirely from Persian roots with no borrowing involved. In casual spoken Persian it is often shortened to just کوله (kule).
How to use it
- کولهپشتیت رو بذار رو ردیف بالا. (kule-poshti-at ro bezâr ru radif-e bâlâ.) “Put your backpack in the overhead compartment.”
- با کولهپشتی رفتیم کوه. (bâ kule-poshti raftim kuh.) “We went hiking with backpacks.”
- کولهام خیلی سنگینه. (kule-am kheili sangin-e.) “My backpack is very heavy.”
- یه کولهپشتی ضد آب دارم. (ye kule-poshti-ye zed-e âb dâram.) “I have a waterproof backpack.”
Cultural note
Hiking and mountain trekking are extremely popular in Iran, particularly around the Alborz range north of Tehran. The کولهپشتی is a staple of weekend excursions to peaks like Tochal and Damavand. Among urban university students, the word also carries an everyday meaning: a school or university backpack worn on the daily commute, making it one of the most versatile bag words in modern Persian.