kupotea
koo-poh-TEH-ah
How to say it
Swahilikupoteakoo-poh-TEH-ah
Englishto get lost, go missing, disappear
Frenchse perdre, disparaître
Meaning
To be unable to find one’s way, to go missing, or to stop existing, as a custom, a job or a life can.
Good to know
It has no object: mtoto amepotea, the child is lost. Kupoteza is to lose something, and upotevu is loss; kupotea njia is to lose one’s way.
Examples
- Tuliogopa mtoto angeweza kupotea sokoni.We were afraid the child might get lost at the market.
- Mila nyingi za zamani zinaanza kupotea.Many old customs are starting to disappear.
- Tumia ramani ili usije kupotea mjini.Use a map so that you do not get lost in town.
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