What it means
شکوفه (shokufe) is the blossom that appears on a fruit tree in spring, such as the flowers of a cherry, apple, or almond tree. It comes from the Persian verb شکفتن (shekoftan), meaning to bloom or to unfold, making it a fully native Persian word. A close related word is گل (gol), which means flower in general, but شکوفه refers specifically to the flowering of a fruit-bearing tree rather than a garden flower or rose.
How to use it
- درخت سیب شکوفه داد. (derakht-e sib shokufe dad.) “The apple tree has blossomed.”
- شکوفههای بهاری خیلی قشنگن. (shokufe-hâye bahâri kheyli ghashangan.) “Spring blossoms are so beautiful.”
- وقتی شکوفهها میریزن، بهار تمومه. (vaghti shokufe-hâ mirizan, bahâr tamume.) “When the blossoms fall, spring is over.”
- باغ پر از شکوفه بود. (bâgh por az shokufe bud.) “The garden was full of blossom.”
Cultural note
In Iran, the arrival of شکوفه on fruit trees, especially almond and cherry trees, is one of the first signs of Nowruz (Persian New Year). Families often make day trips to orchards and parks just to see the blossoms. The word appears throughout classical Persian poetry as a symbol of renewal and fleeting beauty, from Hafez to Saadi.