Swahili
watovu
wa-TO-voo
How to say it
Swahiliwatovuwa-TO-voosoon
Englishdeficient peoplesoon
Frenchpersonnes déficientessoon
Meaning
People who lack something or fall short in a particular respect.
Good to know
plural of mtovu (m-/wa- class); very common in the fixed phrase watovu wa adabu, ill-mannered people.
Examples
- Watovu wa adabu hawaheshimu wazee.Ill-mannered people do not respect elders.
- Si watovu wote wa maadili wanaoonekana hivyo.Not all people lacking morals appear that way.
- Je, watovu hao wa nidhamu watafukuzwa shuleni?Will those lacking discipline be expelled from school?
- Watovu wa adabu watapewa onyo la mwisho.The ill-mannered ones will be given a final warning.
Not yet checked by a native speaker.