What it means
قفسه (qafase) means “shelf” or “shelving unit,” the open structure of horizontal boards where you arrange books, dishes, or goods. A bookshelf is قفسه کتاب, and in a shop the قفسه is the display shelving. Unlike the closed کمد with doors, a قفسه is usually open, and a single recessed ledge in a wall is more often called a طاقچه.
How to use it
- کتاب رو بذار تو قفسه (ketâb ro bezâr tu qafase) “put the book on the shelf”
- قفسه کتاب (qafase-ye ketâb) “bookshelf”
- قفسهها رو گردگیری کن (qafase-hâ ro gardgiri kon) “dust the shelves”
- این جنس رو قفسه نیست (in jens ru qafase nist) “this item is not on the shelf”
Cultural note
An open قفسه کتاب in the living room often doubles as a display for family photos, decorative objects, and a few prized volumes such as a Divan of Hafez. In shops and pharmacies, قفسه is the standard word a shopkeeper uses when telling you where to find something.
References
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