Useful Phrases

1. Hau mak halo aplikasaun ida ne'e

   I made this app

   Usage

   Used when introducing an app you created

   Grammar Note

   Tetum is heavily influenced by Portuguese. "Aplikasaun" is from Portuguese

2. Aplikasaun ida ne'e gratis

   This app is free

   Usage

   Used to inform someone the app is free of charge

   Grammar Note

   "Gratis" is borrowed from Portuguese meaning free of charge

3. Favór ida koko download

   Please try downloading it

   Usage

   Used to encourage someone to download the app

   Grammar Note

   "Try" is "koko" ("tenta" is only a secondary variant). A request is introduced with "Favór ida"

4. Hau Xaponés

   I'm Japanese

   Usage

   Basic phrase for introducing your nationality

   Grammar Note

   "Xaponés" derives from Portuguese "Japonês" (Japanese)

5. Hau turista ida

   I'm a traveler

   Usage

   Used to identify yourself as a tourist/traveler

   Grammar Note

   "Turista" from Portuguese. "Ida" functions as an indefinite article

6. Hau halao viajen mesak

   I'm traveling alone

   Usage

   Used to say you are traveling by yourself

   Grammar Note

   "Viajen" is from Portuguese "viagem". "Alone / by oneself" is "mesak" (emphatic "mes-mesak"); "ida-idak" means "each / individually", not "alone"

7. Hau mai iha ne'e ba dala uluk

   It's my first time here

   Usage

   Common phrase when visiting a place for the first time

   Grammar Note

   "For the first time" is written "ba dala uluk" ("ba dala" + an ordinal gives "for the Nth time"). "dalan" is a different word meaning "road"

8. Hau bele foti foto?

   May I take a photo?

   Usage

   Used when asking permission to take a photo

   Grammar Note

   "Bele" is a modal verb expressing ability or permission

9. Ita bele foti foto hamutuk?

   Shall we take a photo together?

   Usage

   Used to suggest taking a photo together

   Grammar Note

   "Ita" is the inclusive first-person plural pronoun

10. Favór ida scan kódigu QR

    Please scan the QR code

    Usage

    Used when asking someone to scan a QR code

    Grammar Note

    The polite request form is "favór ida" (also "halo favór"); bare "favór" is not a request on its own. Same form as "Favór ida koko download".

11. La bele engana hau

    Don't cheat me / Stop ripping me off

    Usage

    Used to protest being cheated or overcharged

    Grammar Note

    "La bele" is the Tetum prohibitive modal. "Engana" comes from Portuguese "enganar" (to deceive)

12. Keta haree ki'ik hau

    Don't underestimate me / Don't look down on me

    Usage

    Used when someone underestimates or disrespects you

    Grammar Note

    "haree" (to see) + "ki'ik" (small) = to underestimate. "keta" goes before the verb to forbid an action (same pattern as "Keta ta'uk!"); "la bele" is a different construction meaning "must not / cannot". "To see" is spelled "haree"; "hare" is the rice plant

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