Music & Entertainment

1. Múzika Timor mak bonitu tebes.

   Timorese music is very beautiful.

   Usage

   Used to compliment traditional Timorese music.

   Grammar Note

   "tebes" is an emphatic adverb meaning "really" or "truly". Music is spelled "múzika" with an acute accent; the grave-accent form "mùzika" is wrong.

2. Ó hatene toka violinu?

   Do you know how to play the violin?

   Usage

   Used to ask if someone can play a musical instrument.

   Grammar Note

   "hatene" means "to know" or "to know how to". Violin is "violinu" (and the older "rabeka"); it is not spelled "violín".

3. Hau gosta kanta tradisionál Timor.

   I like traditional Timorese songs.

   Usage

   Used to express appreciation for traditional Timorese folk songs.

   Grammar Note

   "gosta" is from Portuguese "gostar" meaning "to like".

4. Iha konsertu orsida kalan ka lae?

   Is there a concert tonight?

   Usage

   Used to ask about live music events or concerts.

   Grammar Note

   "Tonight" is "orsida kalan" (orsida = later, kalan = night). "loron kalan" means "day and night", not "tonight".

5. Povu Timor uza babadook iha festa.

   Timorese people use drums at festivals.

   Usage

   Used to describe traditional percussion in Timorese cultural festivals.

   Grammar Note

   "babadook" (the traditional Timorese drum played at festivals) is distinguished from "tambór" (the general Portuguese-derived drum). The spelling "tambur" does not occur.

6. Hau hakarak sosa CD múzika lokál.

   I want to buy a local music CD.

   Usage

   Used to look for local music recordings as a souvenir.

   Grammar Note

   "lokál" is from Portuguese "local" meaning "local".

7. Hanorin hau kanta ne'e.

   Teach me this song.

   Usage

   Used to request someone teach you a local song.

   Grammar Note

   "hanorin" is the native Tetum word for "to teach".

8. Múzika ne'e nia ritmu hanesan saida?

   What is the rhythm of this music like?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the musical style or rhythm.

   Grammar Note

   Possession is "noun + nia + noun" ("múzika ne'e nia ritmu" = the rhythm of this music). "kakutak" means brain, not rhythm.

9. Ó bele kanta hamutuk ho hau?

   Can you sing together with me?

   Usage

   Used to invite someone to sing along together.

   Grammar Note

   "ho" is a preposition meaning "with/together with".

10. Rezisténsia iha kanta Timor nian.

    The spirit of resistance lives in Timorese songs.

    Usage

    Used when discussing the role of music in East Timor's independence movement.

    Grammar Note

    A post-nominal possessor takes "nian": "kanta Timor nian" = Timorese songs. In "kanta sira Timor", "sira" is only a plural marker and cannot express the possessive ("Livru hau nian" = my book). Tetun nouns have no plural form, so plurality is left to context.

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