This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 noun #5,000 most common 9 min read

لحاف

laahaaf Top 5,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips لحاف in 30 Seconds

Explanation لحاف in your Level:

At the A1 level, you just need to know that 'lehâf' means a thick blanket or quilt. Think of it as the big, heavy thing you use when you are very cold at night. It is a noun. You can use it in simple sentences like 'The quilt is warm' (لحاف گرم است) or 'I have a quilt' (من لحاف دارم). Focus on the basic sound: leh-hâf. It's one of the first words you might learn when talking about a bedroom or winter. At this stage, don't worry about the history or how it's made—just remember it's for sleeping and it's warmer than a regular blanket (patu).

At the A2 level, you should be able to use 'lehâf' with basic verbs and adjectives. You can describe its color or weight, such as 'lehâf-e sefid' (white quilt) or 'lehâf-e sangin' (heavy quilt). You should also know the verb 'keshidan' (to pull) to say 'I pull the quilt over me' (لحاف را روی خودم می‌کشم). You might encounter this word when talking about your daily routine or your home. It's also helpful to know that it's different from 'patu' (blanket). If you are visiting an Iranian home, you might be asked if you need a 'lehâf' for the night, so being able to recognize and respond to this is key.

At the B1 level, you can start using 'lehâf' in more descriptive contexts and understand its cultural role. You should know about the 'Korsi' and how the 'lehâf' is essential for it. You can describe the process of getting ready for bed or preparing a room for a guest. For example, 'I spread the quilt for the guest' (لحاف را برای مهمان پهن کردم). You should also be comfortable using it in the past tense and with compound verbs. This is the level where you begin to understand that a 'lehâf' is often handmade and filled with cotton, which is a significant detail in Persian culture compared to factory-made bedding.

At the B2 level, you should be familiar with common idioms and the more nuanced uses of the word. You might hear the phrase 'the fight was over Mullah's quilt' (دعوا سر لحاف ملا بود) and understand that it means a dispute over nothing or a pretext. You can discuss the craftsmanship of a 'lehâf-duz' (quilt maker) and the decline of traditional crafts in modern cities. Your vocabulary should include terms like 'melafeh' (sheet cover) and 'panbeh' (cotton filling). You can express opinions about the comfort of traditional bedding versus modern mattresses and duvets using more complex sentence structures.

At the C1 level, you should be able to appreciate the word 'lehâf' in literature and poetry. It often appears in stories to evoke a sense of nostalgia, poverty, or domestic security. You can analyze how authors use the quilt as a metaphor for protection or a barrier between the individual and the harsh outside world. You should also understand the technical aspects of its construction and be able to participate in detailed discussions about traditional Iranian textiles and home economics. Your usage should be fluid, incorporating the word into sophisticated narratives about Iranian life and history.

At the C2 level, you possess a near-native understanding of 'lehâf'. You are aware of its etymological roots in Arabic and its journey through Persian literature over centuries. You can distinguish between regional variations in quilt-making and the specific terminology used in different parts of Iran. You understand the subtle social cues associated with bedding—for instance, what the quality of a guest's 'lehâf' says about the host's status or respect. You can use the word in any register, from technical textile analysis to high-level metaphorical discourse, and you understand its deep-seated emotional resonance in the Iranian psyche.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

لحاف in 30 Seconds

A traditional, heavy Persian quilt filled with cotton or wool.
Essential for winter warmth and the central part of a 'Korsi' setup.
Often handmade by a 'lehâf-duz' with intricate stitching patterns.
Distinguished from 'patu' (blanket) by its thickness and filling.

The Persian word لحاف (pronounced lehâf) refers to a traditional, heavy, and thick quilt that is a cornerstone of Iranian domestic life, particularly during the cold winter months. Unlike a modern Western duvet which is often light and filled with synthetic materials or down, a traditional Persian lehâf is typically filled with dense layers of carded cotton or wool and is significantly heavier. This weight is often described by Iranians as providing a sense of security and deep warmth, which is essential in the high-altitude, dry winters of the Iranian plateau. Historically, these quilts were handmade by specialized craftsmen known as lehâf-duz, who would visit homes to card the old cotton and sew new covers, often with intricate geometric or floral stitching patterns that serve both an aesthetic and functional purpose—keeping the filling from shifting.

Cultural Significance: The lehâf is not just bedding; it is a symbol of hospitality and family warmth. In many traditional Iranian homes, guest bedding consists of several layers of mattresses (doshak) and a heavy lehâf spread on the floor. It is also the central component of the 'Korsi'—a traditional low table with a heater underneath, covered by a massive lehâf that family members tuck themselves under to stay warm while socializing, eating, or reading poetry during the long nights of Yalda.

مادربزرگ برای زمستان یک لحاف سنگین و گرم دوخت تا هیچ‌کس از سرما نلرزد.

Translation: Grandmother sewed a heavy and warm quilt for winter so that no one would shiver from the cold.

The word carries a nostalgic weight for many Iranians living abroad, evoking memories of snowy nights in Tehran or Tabriz, the smell of freshly carded cotton, and the comfort of a home heated by traditional means. In literature and everyday metaphors, the lehâf can represent protection or even a facade. The act of 'pulling the quilt over one's head' (لحاف را روی سر کشیدن) is a common idiom for avoiding reality or hiding from the world's troubles. Furthermore, the craftsmanship involved in making a lehâf is considered a dying art, making the possession of a hand-stitched one a point of pride and a valuable heirloom passed down through generations.

Materiality: Traditional ones use cotton (panbeh) or wool (pashm), covered in colorful fabrics like velvet (makhmal) or satin (satan). The stitching is done with a long needle and thick thread to ensure durability over decades of use.

وقتی برف می‌بارد، هیچ‌چیز مثل خوابیدن زیر یک لحاف پشمی لذت‌بخش نیست.

Translation: When it snows, nothing is as enjoyable as sleeping under a wool quilt.

In the context of a dowry (jahiziyeh), a set of high-quality lehâf and doshak (mattresses) was traditionally a mandatory inclusion, often custom-made months before the wedding. Even today, while modern beds are prevalent, many families keep a 'guest set' of these traditional quilts in a large closet (komod) or a dedicated storage area, ready to be spread out for overnight visitors. This practice reinforces the Persian value of hospitality, ensuring that a guest is provided with the utmost warmth and comfort, far exceeding a simple blanket.

Using the word لحاف correctly involves understanding the specific verbs that accompany it. Since it is a heavy object, we often use verbs related to spreading, pulling, or sewing. For example, to say 'to spread a quilt,' we use لحاف پهن کردن. To say 'to pull the quilt over oneself,' we use لحاف کشیدن. Because of its size and weight, it is rarely 'thrown' like a light blanket but rather 'placed' or 'spread' with intent.

Common Verb Pairings: 1. دوختن (Dukhtan - to sew): Used for the creation or repair of the quilt.
2. کشیدن (Keshidan - to pull): Used when covering oneself.
3. تکاندن (Takândan - to shake): Used when cleaning or fluffing the quilt.

او لحاف را تا چانه‌اش بالا کشید و خوابید.

Translation: He pulled the quilt up to his chin and fell asleep.

When describing the quality of a lehâf, adjectives like sangin (heavy), garm (warm), narm (soft), and dast-duz (hand-stitched) are frequently employed. If you are in a shop or a bazaar, you might ask for a lehâf-e do-nafareh (double quilt) or a lehâf-e yek-nafareh (single quilt). It is also important to distinguish between the lehâf itself and the melafeh (sheet/cover) that goes over it to keep it clean. You would say ملحفه کشیدن روی لحاف to mean 'putting a cover on the quilt.'

In more complex sentences, lehâf can be used to set a scene of coziness or domestic labor. Consider the sentence: 'The quilt maker spent all day carding the old cotton to make a fresh quilt' (لحاف‌دوز تمام روز را صرف زدن پنبه‌های قدیمی برای ساختن یک لحاف تازه کرد). Here, the word is central to the traditional occupation. Furthermore, in the context of the Korsi, the sentence 'We all sat under the big quilt' (همه زیر لحاف بزرگ کرسی نشستیم) evokes a very specific cultural image of communal warmth.

You will encounter the word لحاف in various real-world scenarios across Iran. The most common place is within the home, especially during the transition from autumn to winter. You might hear a mother telling her child: برو لحاف رو از توی کمد بیار ('Go bring the quilt from the closet'). In the morning, you might hear someone complain about the weight of the quilt making it hard to get out of bed: لحاف آنقدر سنگین بود که نمی‌توانستم بلند شوم.

Bazaar Conversations: In traditional bazaars, specifically in the 'Bazar-e Lehâf-duz-hâ' (Quilt-makers' Market), you will hear vendors shouting about the quality of their cotton or the beauty of their stitching. Customers will negotiate prices based on the weight of the cotton filling and the type of fabric used for the outer layer.

ببخشید، این لحاف با پنبه پر شده یا پشم شیشه؟

Translation: Excuse me, is this quilt filled with cotton or synthetic batting?

In Persian literature and cinema, the lehâf often serves as a prop to denote poverty, tradition, or intimacy. In classic Iranian films set in villages, the sight of a family huddled under a single large quilt is a common visual shorthand for their close-knit nature. You might also hear the word in the famous folk tale 'The Quilt of Mullah Nasreddin' (لحاف ملا نصرالدین), which is used as a metaphor for a dispute where the object of the dispute disappears, leaving the disputants with nothing. When someone says 'The fight was over Mullah's quilt' (دعوا سر لحاف ملا بود), they mean the whole argument was a pretext for something else or ended pointlessly.

Finally, in the context of seasonal changes, the 'shaking of the quilt' (لحاف تکانی) is a part of the deep cleaning rituals that happen before Nowruz (Persian New Year) or at the start of winter. Hearing neighbors beating their quilts on balconies or in courtyards was once a rhythmic sound of city life, signaling the change of seasons. Even if the practice is less common in high-rise apartments today, the vocabulary remains deeply embedded in the language of domestic care and seasonal preparation.

For English speakers, the most frequent mistake is confusing لحاف (lehâf) with پتو (patu). While both are used for warmth while sleeping, they are not interchangeable in a Persian context. A patu is a blanket—usually thinner, factory-made, and often made of wool or synthetic fibers without any filling. A lehâf is a quilt—thick, stuffed with filling, and usually hand-stitched. If you ask for a lehâf in a hotel and they give you a thin blanket, you would be disappointed.

Lehâf vs. Patu: - Lehâf: Thick, stuffed, heavy, used as the primary top cover.
- Patu: Thin, woven, lighter, often used as an extra layer or for lounging.

اشتباه: من در تابستان زیر لحاف می‌خوابم. (Incorrect context)

Note: Unless the air conditioning is very cold, sleeping under a 'lehâf' in summer is unusual because they are very heavy and warm.

Another common mistake involves the word تشک (toshak or doshak), which means mattress. Learners sometimes confuse the bedding layers. Remember: you sleep on the doshak and under the lehâf. Mixing these up can lead to confusing sentences like 'I spread the quilt on the floor to sleep on it,' which would imply you are using a thick quilt as a mattress—not impossible, but not the standard use of the word.

Lastly, learners often forget the 'ezafe' when describing the quilt. It is lehâf-e garm (warm quilt), not just lehâf garm. Also, avoid using 'lehâf' for a bedspread that is purely decorative; that is usually called a ru-takhti. A lehâf is functional and meant for sleeping. Using the wrong term might make you sound like you're talking about a heavy winter quilt when you just mean a light decorative cover.

In the world of Persian bedding, several words orbit around لحاف. Understanding these nuances will make your Persian sound much more natural. The most common alternative is پتو (patu), which we've discussed. However, there are more specific terms like روانداز (ravandâz), which is a general term for any 'over-cover' or something you pull over yourself, including blankets and quilts.

Comparison Table

Word	Meaning	Usage
لحاف (Lehâf)	Quilt/Duvet	Thick, stuffed, for winter.
پتو (Patu)	Blanket	Woven, thinner, all seasons.
لحاف‌انداز	Quilt-cover	Specific term for the outer sheet.
چادرشب	Bedspread	Traditional thin woven cover.

به جای لحاف سنگین، یک پتوی نازک روی من بینداز.

Translation: Instead of a heavy quilt, throw a thin blanket over me.

Another related term is لحاف لایت (lehâf-e light), which is a modern borrowing used in Iranian bedding stores to refer to lightweight, synthetic duvets that fit inside a cover—very similar to what you would find in IKEA. For those interested in traditional crafts, the term پنبه‌دوزی (panbeh-duzi) refers to the quilting technique itself. If you are looking for something very decorative for a guest room, you might look for a لحاف چهل‌تکه (chehel-tekkeh), which is the Persian equivalent of a patchwork quilt, literally meaning 'forty pieces.'

In summary, while lehâf is the king of winter bedding, knowing when to use patu, ru-takhti, or lehâf-e light will help you navigate Iranian homes and shops with ease. Each word carries a different weight, both literally and figuratively, reflecting the importance of sleep and comfort in Persian culture.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"خواهشمند است جهت شستشوی لحاف به خشکشویی مراجعه فرمایید."

Neutral

"من ترجیح می‌دهم در زمستان از لحاف استفاده کنم."

Informal

"برو زیر لحاف که سرما نخوری!"

Child friendly

"لحاف کوچولو روی خرس مهربان خوابیده."

Slang

"طرف هنوز زیر لحافه! (He's still under the quilt!)"

Fun Fact

In ancient Arabic, 'lihâf' could refer to any outer garment, but in Persian, it became specialized to mean a thick bedding quilt.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /le.hɒːf/

US /le.hɑːf/

The stress is typically on the second syllable: le-HÂF.

Rhymes With

شکاف (Shekâf - gap) طواف (Tavâf - circumambulation) گزاف (Gazâf - extravagant) مصاف (Masâf - battle) صاف (Sâf - smooth/clear) باف (Bâf - weave/suffix) کفاف (Kafâf - sufficiency) غلاف (Ghalâf - sheath)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'lahaf' with a short 'a' in the first syllable.
Making the 'h' silent; it must be clearly articulated.
Shortening the final 'â' sound.
Confusing the 'f' with a 'p' sound.
Adding an extra vowel at the end like 'lehafe'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize once the script is learned.

Writing 3/5

Requires correctly placing the 'h' and 'f'.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward.

Listening 2/5

Clear phonetic profile.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

تخت (Bed) خوابیدن (To sleep) گرم (Warm) زمستان (Winter) پتو (Blanket)

Learn Next

تشک (Mattress) بالش (Pillow) ملحفه (Sheet) کرسی (Korsi) پنبه (Cotton)

Advanced

نساجی (Textile) بخیه‌زنی (Stitching) حلاجی (Cotton carding) منسوجات (Textiles)

Grammar to Know

Ezafe Construction

لحافِ من (My quilt), لحافِ گرم (Warm quilt)

Compound Verbs

لحاف پهن کردن (To spread a quilt)

Object Marker 'râ'

لحاف را بیاور (Bring the quilt)

Pluralization with '-hâ'

لحاف‌ها (Quilts)

Prepositions with Bedding

زیر لحاف (Under the quilt)

Examples by Level

این لحاف گرم است.

This quilt is warm.

Simple subject-adjective sentence.

لحاف کجاست؟

Where is the quilt?

Basic question using 'kojust'.

من یک لحاف دارم.

I have a quilt.

Using the verb 'dashtan' (to have).

لحاف آبی است.

The quilt is blue.

Color adjective following the noun.

لحاف بزرگ است.

The quilt is big.

Size adjective.

او لحاف می‌خواهد.

He/she wants a quilt.

Third-person singular present tense.

لحاف روی تخت است.

The quilt is on the bed.

Prepositional phrase 'ru-ye' (on).

یک لحاف بیاور.

Bring a quilt.

Imperative form of 'âvardan'.

مادر لحاف را پهن کرد.

Mother spread the quilt.

Simple past tense with compound verb 'pahn kardan'.

آیا این لحاف سنگین است؟

Is this quilt heavy?

Question form with adjective 'sangin'.

من زیر لحاف خوابیدم.

I slept under the quilt.

Preposition 'zir-e' (under).

لحاف را روی خودت بکش.

Pull the quilt over yourself.

Imperative with reflexive 'khodat'.

ما برای زمستان لحاف جدید خریدیم.

We bought a new quilt for winter.

Plural past tense.

این لحاف خیلی نرم است.

This quilt is very soft.

Adverb 'kheyli' (very).

لحاف را توی کمد بگذار.

Put the quilt in the closet.

Preposition 'tu-ye' (in).

او لحافش را دوست دارد.

He loves his quilt.

Possessive suffix '-ash'.

لحاف‌دوز پنبه‌های کهنه را زد تا لحاف را بازسازی کند.

The quilt-maker carded the old cotton to reconstruct the quilt.

Use of professional term 'lehâf-duz'.

وقتی مهمان آمد، سریع یک لحاف تمیز از کمد برداشتم.

When the guest arrived, I quickly took a clean quilt from the closet.

Complex sentence with 'vaghti' (when).

در قدیم، همه دور کرسی زیر یک لحاف بزرگ می‌نشستند.

In the old days, everyone sat around the Korsi under a large quilt.

Imperfect tense 'mi-neshastand' for habitual past.

باید برای این لحاف یک ملحفه جدید بخریم تا کثیف نشود.

We must buy a new cover for this quilt so it doesn't get dirty.

Subjunctive 'nashavad' after 'tâ'.

لحاف‌های سنتی بسیار گرم‌تر از پتوهای ماشینی هستند.

Traditional quilts are much warmer than machine-made blankets.

Comparative 'garm-tar'.

مادربزرگم تمام گل‌های روی این لحاف را با دست دوخته است.

My grandmother sewed all the flowers on this quilt by hand.

Present perfect tense.

هوا سرد شده است، وقت آن است که لحاف‌ها را بیرون بیاوریم.

The weather has turned cold; it's time to bring out the quilts.

Phrase 'vagt-e ân ast' (it is time).

او با دقت لحاف را تا کرد و گوشه اتاق گذاشت.

He carefully folded the quilt and placed it in the corner of the room.

Adverbial phrase 'bâ deghat' (carefully).

دعوا سر لحاف ملا بود و در نهایت هیچ‌کس به مقصودش نرسید.

The fight was over Mullah's quilt, and in the end, no one achieved their goal.

Idiomatic usage of the folk tale.

لحاف سنگین روی سینه‌اش حس امنیت عجیبی به او می‌داد.

The heavy quilt on his chest gave him a strange sense of security.

Abstract concept 'hes-e amniyat' (sense of security).

با وجود بخاری، او باز هم ترجیح می‌داد زیر لحاف پشمی بخزد.

Despite the heater, he still preferred to crawl under the wool quilt.

Concession 'bâ vojud-e' (despite).

او چنان در لحاف فرو رفته بود که صدایی نمی‌شنید.

He was so buried in the quilt that he couldn't hear any sound.

Result clause 'chonân... ke'.

صنعت لحاف‌دوزی سنتی به دلیل رواج کالاهای صنعتی در حال فراموشی است.

The traditional quilt-making industry is being forgotten due to the prevalence of industrial goods.

Passive-like construction 'dar hâl-e farâmushi'.

این لحاف چهل‌تکه یادگار دوران کودکی مادرم است.

This patchwork quilt is a memento from my mother's childhood.

Compound noun 'chehel-tekkeh'.

او لحاف را کنار زد و با عجله از تخت بیرون پرید.

He pushed the quilt aside and hurriedly jumped out of bed.

Compound verb 'kenâr zadan'.

ضخامت لحاف باعث می‌شد که سرمای بیرون را اصلاً حس نکند.

The thickness of the quilt caused him not to feel the outside cold at all.

Causative structure 'bâ'es mi-shod'.

در ادبیات کلاسیک، لحاف گاهی نمادی از انزوا و دوری از هیاهوی جهان است.

In classical literature, the quilt is sometimes a symbol of isolation and distance from the world's clamor.

Academic register.

او خاطراتش را مانند تکه‌های پارچه به هم می‌دوخت تا لحافی از گذشته بسازد.

He sewed his memories together like pieces of cloth to make a quilt of the past.

Metaphorical usage.

سنگینی لحاف دست‌دوز، گویی بار تاریخ و سنت را بر دوش او می‌گذاشت.

The weight of the hand-stitched quilt, as if, placed the burden of history and tradition on his shoulders.

Literary 'gu-yi' (as if).

هنر لحاف‌دوزی مستلزم صبر و دقتی است که در دنیای پرشتاب امروز کمیاب شده است.

The art of quilt-making requires patience and precision that have become rare in today's fast-paced world.

Complex relative clause.

او در زیر لحاف، دنیایی خیالی برای خود ساخته بود که هیچ غریبه‌ای به آن راه نداشت.

Under the quilt, he had built an imaginary world for himself that no stranger could enter.

Pluperfect 'sâkhteh bud'.

لحاف‌های مخمل قدیمی با آن رنگ‌های تند، جلوه‌ای خاص به اتاق‌های سرد می‌بخشیدند.

Old velvet quilts with those bold colors gave a special effect to cold rooms.

Descriptive adjectives.

بررسی تطبیقی نقوش لحاف در مناطق مختلف ایران، تنوع فرهنگی بی‌نظیری را نشان می‌دهد.

A comparative study of quilt patterns in different regions of Iran shows a unique cultural diversity.

Formal research register.

او با هر بخیه‌ای که به لحاف می‌زد، گویی گرهی از مشکلات زندگی‌اش را می‌گشود.

With every stitch he made in the quilt, it was as if he was untying a knot in his life's problems.

Simile with 'har bakhiyeh'.

استحاله مفهوم لحاف از یک کالای ضروری به یک شیء نوستالژیک، نشان‌دهنده تغییرات عمیق در زیست‌جهان ایرانی است.

The transformation of the concept of the quilt from a necessary commodity to a nostalgic object indicates profound changes in the Iranian lifeworld.

High-level sociological terminology.

در متون کهن، واژه لحاف گاه به معنای مطلق پوشش و جامه نیز به کار رفته است.

In ancient texts, the word 'lehâf' has sometimes been used in the absolute sense of covering and garment.

Philological observation.

تار و پود این لحاف کهنه، گویی با ناله‌های شبانه و رازهای مگو در هم تنیده شده است.

The warp and weft of this old quilt, as if, are intertwined with nightly moans and unspoken secrets.

Poetic personification.

او به چنان فلاکتی افتاده بود که حتی لحافی برای گرم کردن تن رنجور خود نداشت.

He had fallen into such misery that he didn't even have a quilt to warm his ailing body.

Intensive 'chonân... ke'.

ظرافت‌های موجود در بخیه‌زنی لحاف‌های مناطق کویری، بازتابی از هندسه انتزاعی در هنر اسلامی است.

The subtleties in the stitching of quilts in desert regions are a reflection of abstract geometry in Islamic art.

Art historical analysis.

لحاف در اینجا نه یک ابزار خواب، بلکه استعاره‌ای است از حجابی که حقیقت را از دیدگان پنهان می‌دارد.

The quilt here is not a sleep tool, but a metaphor for a veil that hides the truth from the eyes.

Philosophical metaphor.

او با وسواسی زاهدانه، هر روز صبح لحاف را به گونه‌ای مرتب می‌کرد که گویی هرگز لمس نشده است.

With ascetic obsession, he arranged the quilt every morning in a way that it seemed as if it had never been touched.

Adverbial phrase of manner.

توالی نسل‌ها را می‌توان در پینه‌هایی که بر این لحاف قدیمی زده شده است، بازجست.

The succession of generations can be traced in the patches that have been put on this old quilt.

Abstract verbal construct 'bâz-jost'.

Common Collocations

لحاف دوختن

لحاف پهن کردن

لحاف کشیدن

لحاف سنگین

لحاف پنبه‌ای

لحاف کرسی

لحاف چهل‌تکه

لحاف تکاندن

روکش لحاف

لحاف‌دوز قدیمی

Common Phrases

زیر لحاف خزیدن

— To crawl under the quilt to get warm.

از سرما به زیر لحاف خزیدم.

لحاف و تشک

— A general term for bedding set.

لحاف و تشک مهمان آماده است.

لحاف انداختن

— To put a quilt over someone or something.

روی بچه یک لحاف بینداز.

گرمای زیر لحاف

— The specific cozy warmth found under a quilt.

هیچ‌چیز مثل گرمای زیر لحاف در زمستان نیست.

لحاف نو

— A brand new quilt, often for a bride.

برای جهیزیه لحاف نو خریدند.

لحاف کهنه

— An old, worn quilt.

لحاف کهنه را دور نینداز.

دوخت لحاف

— The act or style of quilting.

دوخت این لحاف خیلی ظریف است.

لحاف یک‌نفره

— A single-person quilt.

یک لحاف یک‌نفره برای پسرم خریدم.

لحاف دونفره

— A double-person quilt.

لحاف دونفره برای تخت بزرگ است.

وزن لحاف

— The weight of the quilt.

وزن لحاف باید مناسب باشد.

Often Confused With

لحاف vs پتو

Patu is a thin blanket; Lehâf is a thick quilt.

لحاف vs تشک

Toshak is the mattress you lie on; Lehâf is the cover.

لحاف vs ملحفه

Melafeh is the thin sheet cover for the quilt.

Idioms & Expressions

"دعوا سر لحاف ملا نصرالدین بود"

— The whole argument was over something that didn't matter or was just a pretext.

فکر می‌کردیم بحث جدی است، اما فهمیدیم دعوا سر لحاف ملا بود.

Informal/Proverbial

"لحاف را روی سر کشیدن"

— To ignore the world or hide from problems.

او فقط می‌خواهد لحاف را روی سرش بکشد و بخوابد.

Common

"پایت را به اندازه لحافت دراز کن"

— Live within your means (Stretch your legs as far as your quilt goes).

بیشتر از درآمدت خرج نکن؛ پایت را به اندازه لحافت دراز کن.

Proverbial

"لحاف ملانصرالدین شدن"

— To become a victim of a situation where everyone takes a piece of you.

اموال او مثل لحاف ملا بین همه تقسیم شد.

Literary

"زیر لحاف پنهان شدن"

— To hide one's true intentions or feelings.

او زیر لحاف سکوت پنهان شده بود.

Metaphorical

"لحاف‌دوزی کردن"

— Sometimes used to describe tedious, repetitive work.

تمام روز مشغول لحاف‌دوزی (کارهای تکراری) بودم.

Slang/Metaphorical

"لحاف را به دندان گرفتن"

— To endure extreme cold or hardship while trying to stay covered.

در آن کلبه سرد، لحاف را به دندان گرفته بودیم.

Descriptive

"از زیر لحاف بیرون آمدن"

— To finally face reality or start the day.

وقت آن است که از زیر لحاف تنبلی بیرون بیایی.

Informal

"لحاف تشک جمع کردن"

— To pack up and leave, often abruptly.

لحاف تشکش را جمع کرد و از آن خانه رفت.

Informal

"سر به لحاف گذاشتن"

— To go to sleep, often with a sense of relief.

خسته بود و زود سر به لحاف گذاشت.

Neutral

Easily Confused

لحاف vs پتو

Both are bed covers.

Patu is thin and woven; Lehâf is thick and stuffed.

برای روی مبل پتو بیاور، اما برای خواب لحاف لازم است.

لحاف vs لحاف‌دوز

Related to the object.

Lehâf is the object; Lehâf-duz is the person who makes it.

لحاف‌دوز لحاف مرا دوخت.

لحاف vs روانداز

General category.

Ravandâz is any cover; Lehâf is a specific type of heavy quilt.

لحاف بهترین روانداز برای زمستان است.

لحاف vs چادرشب

Both used on beds.

Chador-shab is a thin decorative spread; Lehâf is for warmth.

چادرشب را روی لحاف پهن کن.

لحاف vs لحاف لایت

Modern variation.

Lehâf is traditional/heavy; Lehâf-light is modern/synthetic.

من لحاف سنتی را به لحاف لایت ترجیح می‌دهم.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] [Noun] [Adjective] [Verb].

این لحاف گرم است.

[Subject] [Noun] râ [Verb].

او لحاف را آورد.

[Subject] zir-e [Noun] [Verb].

ما زیر لحاف خوابیدیم.

Harvaght [Clause], [Subject] [Noun] [Verb].

هر وقت سردم می‌شود، لحاف می‌کشم.

[Noun] be عنوانِ [Concept] [Verb].

لحاف به عنوانِ نمادِ خانه شناخته می‌شود.

Stating etymology or literary significance.

ریشه واژه لحاف به زبان عربی بازمی‌گردد.

Using 'dashtan' for possession.

آیا شما لحاف دارید؟

Describing material.

این لحاف از پنبه درست شده است.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High, especially in autumn and winter.

Common Mistakes

Using 'patu' for a thick quilt. → Using 'lehâf'.
A 'patu' is a thin blanket, while a 'lehâf' is thick and stuffed.
Saying 'lehâf khordan' (to eat quilt). → Saying 'lehâf keshidan' (to pull quilt).
Bedding uses verbs of movement or spreading, not consumption.
Forgetting the 'e' in 'lehâf-e garm'. → Using the ezafe.
Adjectives must be linked to the noun with the ezafe sound.
Confusing 'lehâf' with 'melafeh'. → Lehâf is the quilt, melafeh is the sheet.
They sound similar but refer to different layers of bedding.
Thinking 'lehâf' is only for beds. → It is also for floor sleeping.
Traditionally, Iranians sleep on the floor with a mattress and lehâf.

Tips

Guest Etiquette

If you are a guest in an Iranian home, being offered a 'lehâf' is a sign of care and hospitality.

Distinguish Bedding

Always remember: Toshak (bottom), Lehâf (top), Bâlesh (head).

Compound Verbs

Master 'pahn kardan' (to spread) and 'jam kardan' (to collect) for bedding.

Bazaar Tip

Ask for 'lehâf-e panbeh-i' if you want the high-quality traditional cotton version.

The 'H' Sound

The 'h' in lehâf is a soft breathy sound from the throat, similar to 'house'.

Seasonal Word

Use 'lehâf' to talk about winter preparations to sound more culturally aware.

Idiom Usage

Use the 'Mullah's quilt' idiom when people are arguing over something pointless.

Spelling

Note that it starts with 'Lâm' and ends with 'Fe', with 'He' and 'Alef' in the middle.

Sleep Quality

Iranians believe the weight of a 'lehâf' helps with anxiety and better sleep.

Dowry Tradition

A set of 'lehâf' was traditionally a central part of a bride's dowry.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'LE-HÂF'. 'LE' like 'Lay' down, and 'HÂF' like 'Half'—you lay down under half a ton of cotton! It's that heavy Persian quilt.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant, fluffy cloud made of cotton that is so heavy it pins you to the bed in a warm hug.

Word Web

Bedding Winter Cotton Warmth Handmade Korsi Stitching Sleep

Challenge

Try to describe your current bed cover using the word 'lehâf' and three adjectives (e.g., color, weight, texture).

Word Origin

Derived from the Arabic root 'L-H-F' (ل-ح-ف), which relates to covering or wrapping.

Original meaning: A covering, garment, or anything used to wrap around the body for protection.

Semitic (root), adapted into Indo-European (Persian).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that in modern Iran, calling someone's bedding just a 'patu' might imply it's less substantial than a 'lehâf'.

The closest equivalent is a 'quilt' or 'duvet', but 'lehâf' implies a specific weight and handmade quality not always present in Western bedding.

The story of Mullah Nasreddin's Quilt. Modern Persian poems about the warmth of childhood homes.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Bedtime

شب بخیر، برو زیر لحاف.
لحاف را بکش بالا.
لحاف سنگین است.
خواب زیر لحاف.

Shopping

قیمت این لحاف چند است؟
داخلش چیست؟
لحاف دونفره می‌خواهم.
جنس پارچه‌اش عالی است.

Winter Prep

باید لحاف‌ها را آماده کنیم.
لحاف‌دوز کی می‌آید؟
کرسی را با لحاف بپوشان.
هوا برای پتو سرد است، لحاف بیاور.

Hospitality

برای مهمان لحاف تمیز بگذار.
آیا لحاف اضافی دارید؟
زیر این لحاف راحت هستید؟
لحاف را پهن کردم.

Cleaning

باید ملحفه لحاف را بشویم.
لحاف را در آفتاب بگذار.
لحاف را تکان بده.
گرد و خاک لحاف را بگیر.

Conversation Starters

"شما در زمستان از لحاف استفاده می‌کنید یا پتو؟ (Do you use a quilt or a blanket in winter?)"

"آیا تا به حال زیر لحاف کرسی نشسته‌اید؟ (Have you ever sat under a Korsi quilt?)"

"به نظر شما لحاف سنگین بهتر است یا سبک؟ (In your opinion, is a heavy quilt better or a light one?)"

"در کشور شما، لحاف‌ها را چگونه درست می‌کنند؟ (How do they make quilts in your country?)"

"خاطره‌ای از لحاف‌های قدیمی مادربزرگتان دارید؟ (Do you have a memory of your grandmother's old quilts?)"

Journal Prompts

احساس خود را وقتی در یک شب سرد زیر یک لحاف گرم می‌روید توصیف کنید. (Describe your feeling when you go under a warm quilt on a cold night.)

درباره تفاوت‌های زندگی مدرن و استفاده از لحاف‌های سنتی بنویسید. (Write about the differences between modern life and using traditional quilts.)

داستانی کوتاه درباره یک لحاف جادویی بنویسید. (Write a short story about a magic quilt.)

چرا در فرهنگ ایرانی، لحاف نمادی از امنیت و خانه است؟ (Why is the quilt a symbol of security and home in Iranian culture?)

اگر یک لحاف‌دوز بودید، چه نقوشی روی لحاف‌هایتان می‌دوختید؟ (If you were a quilt-maker, what patterns would you sew on your quilts?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Primarily, yes. Because it is thick and heavy, it is too warm for summer use in most parts of Iran.

You usually don't wash the whole quilt because the cotton inside will clump. Instead, you wash the 'melafeh' (cover) or take it to a professional dry cleaner.

Traditionally, it is filled with natural carded cotton or sheep's wool.

Yes, in modern Persian, 'lehâf' is the standard word for duvet.

Yes, it originated from Arabic but is fully integrated into Persian.

It is a very large quilt (often 4x4 meters) designed to cover a Korsi table.

The weight comes from the dense layers of cotton, which provide superior insulation against dry, cold climates.

Persian does not have grammatical gender, so it is neutral.

You can say 'takht râ moratab kardan', but for traditional bedding, you say 'lehâf-toshak râ jam kardan'.

They are rarer in big cities now, but you can still find them in traditional bazaars or smaller towns.