Osan hira ida-ne'e?
How much does this cost?
Usage
Basic price inquiry at market
Grammar Note
"hira" = "how much/many"
Bele halo negosiasaun ka lae?
Can I negotiate the price?
Usage
Ask if bargaining is allowed
Grammar Note
"ka lae" = yes/no question marker. "Negotiate" is "halo negosiasaun" (the verb is built with "halo")
Hau oferese [osan] ba ida-ne'e.
I offer [price] for this.
Usage
Make a counter-offer
Grammar Note
"ba" marks dative/for
Bele hetan deskontu ka lae?
Can I get a discount?
Usage
Ask for a discount
Grammar Note
"Bele hetan" = "can get"
Ida-ne'e halo ho liman ka halo iha fatin lokál?
Is this handmade or locally made?
Usage
Check if handmade or local
Grammar Note
"ho liman" = "by hand"
Ida-ne'e halo husi saida?
What material is this made of?
Usage
Ask about the material
Grammar Note
"husi" = "from" (origin)
Bele falun hanesan prezenti?
Can you gift-wrap this?
Usage
Request gift wrapping
Grammar Note
"hanesan" = "like/as". "To wrap" is "falun" and "gift" is "prezenti"; "fa'an" means to sell, not to wrap
Merkadu kalan iha ne'ebé?
Where is the night market?
Usage
Ask location of night market
Grammar Note
Location question "ne'ebé" at end
Bele fó resibu ba hau?
Can I have a receipt?
Usage
Ask for a receipt
Grammar Note
"ba hau" = "to me". "Receipt" is "resibu"
Merkadu loke husi tuku hira to'o tuku hira?
What are the market opening hours?
Usage
Ask market hours
Grammar Note
"husi ... to'o ..." = "from ... to ...". "Until / as far as" is written with the glottal stop: to'o
Hau haree de'it, obrigadu.
I'm just looking, thank you.
Usage
Tell vendor you're just browsing
Grammar Note
"de'it" = restrictive adverb "only"
Ita simu pagamentu kartaun?
Do you accept card payment?
Usage
Check if card payment accepted
Grammar Note
"Ita" = polite "you"
Hau sosa ida-ne'e hanesan lembransa.
I'm buying this as a souvenir.
Usage
Indicate purchasing as souvenir
Grammar Note
"hanesan" = "as" (role). "Souvenir / keepsake" is "lembransa" (a souvenir shop is "loja lembransa nian")
Bele haruka internasionál?
Can this be shipped internationally?
Usage
Ask about international shipping
Grammar Note
"Bele" = "can/possible"
Sasan ne'ebé di'ak liu iha ne'e mak saida?
What's your best item here?
Usage
Ask for the best/recommended item
Grammar Note
"liu" is a separate word placed after an adjective, meaning "more / most" (di'ak liu = better / best)
Osan ne'e bele muda ka lae?
Is this price negotiable?
Usage
Check if price is negotiable
Grammar Note
"ne'e" = proximal demonstrative
Iha medida seluk ba ida-ne'e?
Do you have a different size for this?
Usage
Ask for a different size
Grammar Note
"Iha" = "there is/have". "Size" is "medida"; "natoon" means "fits well, of the right size".
Karun liu!
This is too expensive!
Usage
Express that price is too high
Grammar Note
"liu" after an adjective indicates excess
More Tetum phrases
- Basic Words
- Basic Nouns
- Basic Verbs
- Adjectives
- Question Words
- Greetings
- Food & Drinks
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Numbers
- Hotel
- Emergency
- Sightseeing
- Flirting
- Nightlife
- Massage & Spa
- Compliments
- Contacts & SNS
- Beach & Activities
- Places & Areas
- Useful Phrases
- Airport & Customs
- Weather & Climate
- Pharmacy & Health
- Directions
- Money & Exchange
- Health & Hospital
- Internet & WiFi
- Nature & Outdoors
- Religion & Temples
- Café & Drinks
- Schedule & Booking
- Culture & Etiquette
- Traveling with Kids
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- Business & Work
- School & Education
- Cooking & Markets
- Music & Entertainment
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- Festivals & Events
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- Dating Apps
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- Time & Dates
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- Yoga & Wellness
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- Remote Work
- Fashion & Clothing
- Convenience Store
- Martial Arts
- Signs
- Body Parts
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- Electronics
- Feelings
- Slang
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences