What it means
پرستو (parastou) means swallow, the small, fast-flying migratory bird known for its forked tail and its arrival each spring. This is a native Persian word with roots in Middle Persian parastug. The word is used in everyday speech and in literature alike. A close related term is چلچله (chelcheleh), which refers specifically to the barn swallow, while پرستو is the general word for swallows as a family.
How to use it
- پرستوها اول بهار برمیگردن. (Parastouha avval bahar barmigardan.) “The swallows come back at the start of spring.”
- صدای پرستو رو دوست دارم. (Sedaye parastou ro doost daram.) “I love the sound of the swallow.”
- پرستو روی سیم برق نشسته بود. (Parastou rooye sime bargh nashaste bood.) “A swallow was sitting on the power line.”
- امسال پرستوها زود اومدن. (Emsâl parastouha zood oomadan.) “The swallows came early this year.”
Cultural note
In Persian literature and folk culture, the پرستو is one of the most cherished birds. Its return in spring is seen as a promise that warmth and renewal are coming. Many Iranian households consider it good luck when swallows nest under the eaves of their home. Classical poets like Hafez and Sa’di reference the swallow as a symbol of longing and homecoming, connecting the bird’s seasonal migration to themes of exile and return.