Fashion & Clothing

1. Imi iha ne'e ho medida hau nian?

   Do you have this in my size?

   Usage

   Asking if a specific size is available

   Grammar Note

   "Size" is "medida". For shoes and trousers Tetun asks by number instead: "númeru hira".

2. Hau bele prova ne'e?

   Can I try this on?

   Usage

   Asking to try on a clothing item

   Grammar Note

   "prova" = to try/test (from Portuguese "provar"). "Hau bele ...?" = Can I?

3. Kabine prova iha ne'ebé?

   Where is the fitting room?

   Usage

   Asking for directions to the fitting room

   Grammar Note

   "kabine prova" = fitting cabin/room (Portuguese compound)

4. Ne'e metin liu / luan liu / naruk liu / badak liu.

   This is too tight / loose / long / short.

   Usage

   Describing how clothing fits after trying on

   Grammar Note

   "liu" = too (excess modifier). Tight is "metin" / "aperta" and loose is "luan"; "labele" means "cannot", not "loose"

5. Iha kór seluk?

   Do you have this in a different color?

   Usage

   Asking if another color is available

   Grammar Note

   "seluk" = other/another. "kór" = color (from Portuguese "cor")

6. Ne'e halo ho materiál saida?

   What material / fabric is this made of?

   Usage

   Asking about the material or fabric composition

   Grammar Note

   "halo ho" = made with. "saida" = what (question word)

7. Bele fase ho mákina?

   Is this machine washable?

   Usage

   Checking if clothing is machine washable

   Grammar Note

   "Machine" is "mákina"; the Portuguese spelling "máquina" is not used. "fase" = to wash.

8. Folin hira?

   How much is this?

   Usage

   Asking the price of a clothing item

   Grammar Note

   "Folin hira?" = How much? (basic price question in Tetum)

9. Iha promosaun ka deskontu?

   Is there a sale or discount?

   Usage

   Asking if there is a sale or discount

   Grammar Note

   "Sale" is "promosaun" (a marked-down price is "faan ho folin tuun"). "saldão" is Portuguese and is not used. "deskontu" = discount.

10. Hau lori ne'e.

    I'll take it.

    Usage

    Deciding to purchase an item

    Grammar Note

    "lori" = to take/carry (used to mean purchasing too)

11. Hau haree de'it. Obrigadu.

    I'm just looking, thank you.

    Usage

    Politely declining help from a store assistant

    Grammar Note

    "de'it" = only/just. Tetun spells it Obrigadu (male speaker) / Obrigada (female speaker); the Portuguese form Obrigado is not used

12. Polítika fila fali / troka saida?

    What is your return / exchange policy?

    Usage

    Asking about the store's return and exchange policy

    Grammar Note

    "fila fali" = go back = return. "troka" = exchange (from Portuguese "trocar"). "Policy" is "polítika"; Tetun nouns do not inflect for number, so the Portuguese plural "polítikas" is not used.

13. Ne'e di'ak ba ita! (elogiu ba kolega)

    That looks great on you! (compliment to companion)

    Usage

    Complimenting a companion's outfit

    Grammar Note

    "di'ak" = good/well. "ba ita" = for you

14. Imi iha medida Osidentál / internasionál?

    Do you carry Western / international sizes?

    Usage

    Checking if Western or international sizes are stocked

    Grammar Note

    Portuguese "Osidentál" = Western, "internasionál" = international

15. Bele ajusta parte kraik ne'e?

    Can you alter / hem this for me?

    Usage

    Requesting clothing alterations or hemming

    Grammar Note

    "ajusta" = to adjust (Portuguese). "parte kraik" = lower part = hem

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