Massage & Spa

1. Hakarak buti isin

   ha-ka-rak bu-ti i-sin

   I would like a massage

   Grammar Note

   "Massage" is "buti isin" / "kumu isin". The Portuguese form "massagem" is not a Tetun form.

2. Hau nia kotuk moras

   hau ni-a ko-tuk mo-ras

   My back hurts

   Grammar Note

   "Moras" = sick/painful — used for both sickness and physical pain. Possession is "hau nia + noun"; after the noun it takes "nian" ("kotuk hau nian").

3. Neineik liu

   nei-neik li-u

   More slowly / more gently

   Grammar Note

   "Liu" is the comparative marker meaning "more". It follows the adjective it modifies.

4. Forte liu

   for-te li-u

   A bit stronger

   Grammar Note

   "Forte" (from Portuguese "forte" = strong/loud) is widely used in Tetum.

5. Oras hira sesaun ne'e?

   o-ras hi-ra se-saun ne-e

   How many hours is this session?

   Grammar Note

   "Oras" (from Portuguese "hora" = hour). "Hira" = how many/much.

6. Iha buti isin tradisionál ka lae?

   i-ha bu-ti i-sin tra-di-si-o-nal ka lae

   Is there a traditional massage?

   Grammar Note

   "Tradisionál" (from Portuguese "tradicional") = traditional.

7. Hau nia ain moras

   hau ni-a ain mo-ras

   My feet hurt

   Grammar Note

   "Ain" = foot/leg — native Tetum vocabulary covering both. Possession is "hau nia + noun".

8. Iha ne'e moras

   i-ha ne-e mo-ras

   It hurts here

   Grammar Note

   "Iha ne'e" = "here/at this place". "Iha" = at, "ne'e" = this.

9. Di'ak tebes, obrigadu

   di-ak te-bes o-bri-ga-du

   Very good, thank you

   Grammar Note

   "Obrigadu" (Portuguese: "obliged/thank you") is used by male speakers; "obrigada" by females.

10. Hakarak buti isin ho mina

    ha-ka-rak bu-ti i-sin ho mi-na

    I would like an oil massage

    Grammar Note

    "Oil" is "mina" (coconut oil is "mina nuu"); Portuguese "óleo" is not the Tetun form. "ho" means "with".

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