Festivals & Events

1. Festa independénsia iha loron hirak?

   On which day is the independence festival?

   Usage

   Used to ask about East Timor's Independence Day celebrations (May 20).

   Grammar Note

   East Timor achieved full independence on May 20, 2002.

2. Hau hakarak partisipa iha selebrasaun.

   I want to participate in the celebration.

   Usage

   Used to express interest in joining a local celebration.

   Grammar Note

   "selebrasaun" is borrowed from Portuguese "celebração" (celebration).

3. Tais uza iha sérimonia ne'e.

   Tais (traditional cloth) is used in this ceremony.

   Usage

   Used to describe the role of tais weaving in Timorese ceremonies.

   Grammar Note

   "tais" is a traditional Timorese hand-woven cloth important in ceremonies and gifting.

4. Natál selebra oinsá iha Timor?

   How is Christmas celebrated in Timor?

   Usage

   Used to ask about Christmas traditions in Catholic East Timor.

   Grammar Note

   About 96% of East Timorese are Catholic, making Christmas an important holiday.

5. Dansa tradisionál Timor mak bonitu tebes.

   Traditional Timorese dance is very beautiful.

   Usage

   Used to compliment traditional Timorese dance at festivals.

   Grammar Note

   "tebes" is an intensifying adverb placed after adjectives for emphasis.

6. Loron restaurasaun selebra iha Maiu.

   Restoration Day is celebrated in May.

   Usage

   Used when discussing Timor-Leste's Restoration of Independence Day (May 20).

   Grammar Note

   "Maiu" is borrowed from Portuguese "maio" (May).

7. Ai-knanoik sira konta istória povu Timor.

   Legends tell the stories of the Timorese people.

   Usage

   Used when discussing myths and legends shared at Timorese festivals.

   Grammar Note

   "ai-knanoik" is a single noun meaning "legend/folklore".

8. Fulan-moris selebra iha família.

   Birthdays are celebrated with family.

   Usage

   Used to describe family-centered birthday celebrations in Timor-Leste.

   Grammar Note

   "fulan-moris" combines "moon/month" and "to be born" meaning "birthday".

9. Festa kafé iha Ermera mak famózu.

   The coffee festival in Ermera is famous.

   Usage

   Used to discuss the coffee festival in Ermera, East Timor's coffee-growing region.

   Grammar Note

   "famózu" is from Portuguese "famoso". Coffee is spelled "kafé" ("kofee" is an ad-hoc respelling of English). Modifiers follow the noun, so "coffee festival" is "festa kafé".

10. Ami haluha laran tristi hamutuk iha selebrasaun.

    We forget sorrows together in celebration.

    Usage

    Used to express the communal healing aspect of Timorese festivals.

    Grammar Note

    "To forget" is "haluha" and "sad" is "laran tristi". "hatun" means to lower and "moras" means illness/pain; together they do not mean "let go of sorrow".

Browse all TravelPhrases languages