Jhooti

Jhooti is a Hindustani word used as the feminine form of the adjective jhoota, meaning false or deceitful. In Hindi and Urdu, jhooti describes something that is not true or someone who lies, and it can function as a gendered descriptor or as part of a phrase. The corresponding neutral noun for a lie is jhooth.

Etymology and usage notes: The term shares its root with jhooth (lie) in Hindustani, with influences from Persian and Arabic through centuries of language contact in South Asia. The feminine form jhooti mirrors gender agreement in adjectives, so it is commonly used with feminine nouns or in contexts referring to a female who lies, though it can also appear in broader expressions about falsehoods.

Common phrases and examples: Jhooti baat means a false statement; jhooth bolna means to tell a lie; jhooti kahani refers to a false story. For example, “ye baat jhooti hai” translates to “this statement is false,” and “woh jhooti hai” can mean “she is a liar” or “she is deceitful,” depending on context.

Cultural and linguistic context: Jhooti appears across everyday speech, journalism, literature, and media in Hindi-Urdu-speaking communities. It is part of a broader vocabulary that distinguishes truth from falsehood and reflects gendered forms of adjectives in Hindustani grammar. The term is not a proper noun or place name.

See also: jhooth, jhoota, jhooti kahani.