kuteleza

How to say it

Meaning

To slide suddenly and lose one's footing on a wet or smooth surface, or to glide on snow or ice; figuratively, to make a small mistake.

Good to know

Used without an object: aliteleza bafuni, he slipped in the bathroom. The proverb kuteleza si kuanguka means slipping is not falling, a mistake is not failure. Utelezi is slipperiness.

Examples

• Bibi aliteleza sakafuni akavunjika mguu.Grandmother slipped on the floor and broke her leg.
• Barabara inateleza sana wakati wa mvua.The road is very slippery when it rains.
• Watalii walikwenda milimani kuteleza kwenye theluji.The tourists went to the mountains to ski.

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