Dating Apps

1. Hau hetan ó iha aplikasaun.

   I found you on the app.

   Usage

   Used to explain how you found someone on a dating app.

   Grammar Note

   "aplikasaun" is from Portuguese "aplicação" (application/app).

2. Ó nia perfil interesante tebes.

   Your profile is very interesting.

   Usage

   Used to compliment someone's profile on a dating app.

   Grammar Note

   "interesante" is from Portuguese "interessante" (interesting).

3. Ó moris iha Dili ka iha fatin seluk?

   Do you live in Dili or somewhere else?

   Usage

   Used online to ask where someone lives in Timor-Leste.

   Grammar Note

   "seluk" means "other/another" so "fatin seluk" means "another place".

4. Ó iha tempu ba hasoru hau?

   Do you have time to meet?

   Usage

   Used to move from online chatting to an in-person meeting.

   Grammar Note

   "hasoru" means "to meet" or "to encounter" in Tetum. A one-to-one meeting takes "hau" (me); "ami" is the exclusive "we" and cannot refer to a meeting between just the two speakers.

5. Ó gosta halo saida iha tempu livre?

   What do you like to do in your free time?

   Usage

   A standard question for getting to know someone's hobbies on an app.

   Grammar Note

   "saida" is the question word "what" placed mid-sentence.

6. Hau bele hatama ó nia número?

   Can I have your number?

   Usage

   Used to ask for a phone number to move communication off the app.

   Grammar Note

   "número" is borrowed from Portuguese "número" (number).

7. Selebrasaun kultural Timor mak interesa hau.

   Timorese cultural celebrations interest me.

   Usage

   Used to share interest in Timorese culture when connecting online.

   Grammar Note

   "interesa" is from Portuguese "interessar" meaning "to interest".

8. Hau gosta ó nia hamnasa.

   I like your smile.

   Usage

   Used to compliment someone's smile from their profile photo.

   Grammar Note

   "Smile" is "hamnasa" (also "oin midar"). "kotuk" means back / behind, not smile.

9. Hau nia intensaun la'os halimar de'it.

   I have no intentions of joking around.

   Usage

   Used to clarify serious romantic intentions.

   Grammar Note

   "la'os" negates a noun phrase ("it is not"). "To play / joke around" is "halimar"; "baruk" means lazy or bored ("Hau baruk" means bored) and never means joking.

10. Hau pronto ba relasaun sériu.

    I am ready for a serious relationship.

    Usage

    Used to express readiness for a committed relationship.

    Grammar Note

    "sériu" is from Portuguese "sério" meaning "serious".

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