Markets & Souvenirs

18 phrases · Tetum with romanization, English and audio

  1. Osan hira ida-ne'e?

    How much does this cost?

    Usage

    Basic price inquiry at market

    Grammar Note

    "hira" = "how much/many"

  2. 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")

  3. Hau oferese [osan] ba ida-ne'e.

    I offer [price] for this.

    Usage

    Make a counter-offer

    Grammar Note

    "ba" marks dative/for

  4. Bele hetan deskontu ka lae?

    Can I get a discount?

    Usage

    Ask for a discount

    Grammar Note

    "Bele hetan" = "can get"

  5. 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"

  6. Ida-ne'e halo husi saida?

    What material is this made of?

    Usage

    Ask about the material

    Grammar Note

    "husi" = "from" (origin)

  7. 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

  8. Merkadu kalan iha ne'ebé?

    Where is the night market?

    Usage

    Ask location of night market

    Grammar Note

    Location question "ne'ebé" at end

  9. Bele fó resibu ba hau?

    Can I have a receipt?

    Usage

    Ask for a receipt

    Grammar Note

    "ba hau" = "to me". "Receipt" is "resibu"

  10. 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

  11. 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"

  12. Ita simu pagamentu kartaun?

    Do you accept card payment?

    Usage

    Check if card payment accepted

    Grammar Note

    "Ita" = polite "you"

  13. 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")

  14. Bele haruka internasionál?

    Can this be shipped internationally?

    Usage

    Ask about international shipping

    Grammar Note

    "Bele" = "can/possible"

  15. 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)

  16. Osan ne'e bele muda ka lae?

    Is this price negotiable?

    Usage

    Check if price is negotiable

    Grammar Note

    "ne'e" = proximal demonstrative

  17. 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".

  18. Karun liu!

    This is too expensive!

    Usage

    Express that price is too high

    Grammar Note

    "liu" after an adjective indicates excess

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