Casino & Gambling

1. Kasinu iha ne'ebé?

   Where is the casino?

   Usage

   Asking where the casino is located

   Grammar Note

   "iha ne'ebé?" = where is it? (location question in Tetum). "Casino" is "kasinu"; the Portuguese spelling "casino" is not used in Tetun.

2. Taru mínimu hira mak iha meza ne'e?

   What is the minimum bet at this table?

   Usage

   Asking about the minimum bet at the table

   Grammar Note

   "hira mak" = how much. "iha meza ne'e" = at this table. "Bet" is "taru" (gamble = taru / joga); "apostu" is not used. "Minimum" is "mínimu" — Tetun adjectives do not inflect for gender, so not "mínima". "Table" is "meza".

3. Oinsá mak hau bele sosa chips?

   How do I buy chips?

   Usage

   Asking how to purchase casino chips

   Grammar Note

   "Oinsá mak" = how (method question)

4. Hau hakarak joga blackjack / roulette / baccarat / poker / slots.

   I'd like to play blackjack / roulette / baccarat / poker / slots.

   Usage

   Expressing interest in specific casino games

   Grammar Note

   "Hau hakarak ..." = I want to ... (desire)

5. Hau hakarak troka hau nia chips ba osan.

   I'd like to cash out my chips.

   Usage

   Requesting to cash out casino chips

   Grammar Note

   "To exchange" is "troka"; "exchange A for B" is "troka A ba B". "sai husi" means to go out from, not to exchange. Possession is written as two words: "hau nia".

6. Iha regra ropa iha ne'e?

   Is there a dress code?

   Usage

   Asking if there is a dress code

   Grammar Note

   "regra" = rule (from Portuguese). "Clothes" is "ropa"; the Portuguese spelling "roupa" and its plural "roupas" are not used in Tetun.

7. Hau bele hetan bebida gratis ida?

   Can I get a complimentary drink?

   Usage

   Asking for a complimentary casino drink

   Grammar Note

   Portuguese loanwords "bebida" = drink, "gratis" = free

8. Jogu saida mak iha iha ne'e?

   What games do you have available?

   Usage

   Asking about available game types

   Grammar Note

   "saida mak" = what (question word). "jogu" = game (from Portuguese)

9. Iha kuartu VIP?

   Is there a VIP room?

   Usage

   Asking if there is a VIP room

   Grammar Note

   "Iha ...?" = Is there ...? (existence question)

10. Hau hanoin natoon ona ba kalan ne'e.

    I think I've had enough for tonight.

    Usage

    Deciding to stop playing for the night

    Grammar Note

    "ona" = already/completed. "Enough" is "natoon". "baibain" means usual/ordinary, not enough.

11. Hau foun — bele esplika regra ba hau?

    I'm a beginner — can you explain the rules?

    Usage

    Asking for an explanation of game rules as a beginner

    Grammar Note

    "foun" = new. "esplika" = to explain (from Portuguese "explicar"). "Rule" is "regra"; Tetun nouns do not inflect for number, so the Portuguese plural "regras" is not used ("tuir regra" = follow the rules).

12. Tuku hira kasinu taka?

    What time does the casino close?

    Usage

    Asking when the casino closes

    Grammar Note

    "Tuku hira" = what time. "taka" = to close

13. Sentina iha ne'ebé?

    Where are the restrooms?

    Usage

    Asking for restroom location in the casino

    Grammar Note

    "Toilet" is "sentina". Portuguese "banheiro" is not used; a bathroom is "kaza de banhu" / "hariis fatin". "iha ne'ebé?" = where?

14. Hau bele troka chips ba osan iha kaixa?

    Can I exchange chips for cash at the cashier?

    Usage

    Asking to exchange chips for cash at the cashier

    Grammar Note

    "troka" = to exchange (from Portuguese "trocar"). "kaixa" means "box, case"; like Portuguese "caixa" it also covers the till. The Portuguese spelling "caixa" is not used in Tetun.

15. Hira mak limiti taru iha meza ne'e?

    What are the table limits?

    Usage

    Checking the table betting limits

    Grammar Note

    Amounts are asked with "hira mak". "Tuku hira" means "at what o'clock" and cannot be used for amounts. "Limit" is "limiti", "bet" is "taru", and "table" is "meza".

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