هلو
holu[ho.luː]
The English word "peach" can be said in Persian as هلو (holu) or شفتالو.
Meaning: fruit (noun)
Ways to say it
| Persian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| هلو | holu | [ho.luː] (Iran, formal, narrow) |
| شفتالو | šaftâlu | /ʃaf.taː.ˈluː/ (Classical Persian) |
Both terms refer to the peach fruit.
Which one should you use?
هلو and شفتالو are both used to denote the fruit.
Is it said differently in some regions?
هلو is widely understood in Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. شفتالو is mainly used in Iran and Afghanistan.
How do you pronounce it?
holu
Did you know?
- While هلو means 'peach' in a culinary context, it is also the exact same spelling and pronunciation used for the English greeting 'hello' when borrowed into Persian.
- In Iranian culture, the peach is often associated with the arrival of summer and is frequently used in traditional preserves and jams that differ from Western styles.
Examples in context
- من دوست دارم هلو بخورم.I like to eat peaches.
- قصد دارم شفتالو بخرم.I intend to buy peaches.
- شیرینی هلو را دوست دارم.I love peach sweets.
- هلو خیلی شیرین است.holu kheyli shirin ast.The peach is very sweet.
- من یک هلو خریدم.man yek holu kharidam.I bought a peach.
- آیا هلو در یخچال هست؟āyā holu dar yakhchāl hast?Is there a peach in the refrigerator?
Example conversation
Zahra and Amir are at a fruit market.
- زهرا Zahraامیر، هلو می‌خوای؟Amir, holu mikhāyi?Amir, do you want a peach?
- امیر Amirبله، لطفاً دو تا بده.Bale, lotfan do tā bede.Yes, please give me two.
- زهرا Zahraببین، این هلوها خیلی تازه هستند.Bebin, in holuhā kheyli tāze hastand.Look, these peaches are very fresh.
- امیر Amirواقعاً عالی به نظر می‌رسند.Vāghe'an āli be nazar miresand.They really look great.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “peach” translations and entries هلو, شفتالو, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries شفتالو, هلو, CC BY-SA 4.0.
