What it means
پتو (patu) means “blanket,” the soft cover you pull over yourself for warmth, whether in bed at night or on the couch on a cold evening. It is a native Persian word and one of the first household items a learner meets. It is worth keeping it apart from a couple of close neighbors: لحاف (lahâf) is a thicker, filled quilt or duvet, and روتختی (rutakhti) is a bedspread that sits on top for looks. The پتو is the plain warm layer you actually wrap around yourself.
How to use it
- پتو رو بکش روت (patu ro bekesh rut) “pull the blanket over yourself”
- سردمه، یه پتو میاری؟ (sardame, ye patu miyâri?) “I’m cold, can you bring a blanket?”
- پتوها رو شستم (patuhâ ro shostam) “I washed the blankets”
- زیر پتو خوابش برد (zir-e patu khâbesh bord) “he fell asleep under the blanket”
Cultural note
In many Iranian homes the پتو comes out the moment the weather turns, and a folded blanket on the back of the couch is a common sight for guests who want to curl up. In colder traditional setups, a blanket is also draped over the کرسی (korsi), the low heated table families gather around in winter, so everyone can tuck their legs underneath and stay warm. Spare blankets are a normal part of hosting, since overnight guests are often expected.