potofu
poh-TOH-foo
How to say it
Swahilipotofupoh-TOH-foosoon
Englishmisleading, false, mistakensoon
Frenchtrompeur, faux, erronésoon
Meaning
Wrong or twisted in a way that leads people astray, used of beliefs, information, ideas or behavior.
Good to know
It does not change for class and follows the noun: imani potofu, false beliefs; taarifa potofu, misinformation; tabia potofu, deviant behavior. It comes from kupotoka, to go astray.
Examples
- Kuna imani potofu kuhusu chanjo kijijini.There are false beliefs about vaccines in the village.
- Wananchi waepuke kusambaza taarifa potofu.Citizens should avoid spreading misleading information.
- Mawazo hayo ni potofu kabisa.Those ideas are completely mistaken.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.