Pavërtetë

Pavërtetë is an Albanian noun that denotes a falsehood or untruth. It refers to a statement, belief, or claim that does not correspond to reality or to verifiable facts, serving as the negation of vërtetë, which means truth. In everyday language, pavërtetë can describe both isolated incorrect statements and broader patterns of misinformation.

Etymology and usage notes: the word is formed with the prefix pa-, meaning "without," attached to vërtetë, meaning "truth." This builds the semantic value of something that lacks truthfulness. In discourse, pavërtetë is used to discuss errors, misinformation, or deceptive claims in journalism, public life, education, and culture. It can function as a descriptive label for incorrect or misleading information without necessarily implying intent.

Nuances and related terms: pavërtetë is distinct from gënjeshër, which specifically connotes a lie or deliberate deception. While a pavërtetë can be true by mistake, it may also reflect intentional falsehoods when used in critical or evaluative contexts. Phrases such as “përhapja e pavërtetës” (the spread of falsehood) appear in media, politics, and discussions about truthfulness and fact-checking.

See also: vërtetë (truth), gënjeshër (lie), misinformation, fact-checking.