Post Office

1. Koreius iha ne'ebé?

   Where is the post office?

   Usage

   Used to ask for the location of the post office.

   Grammar Note

   The word is "koreius" (post office) — the Portuguese plural "correios" borrowed as a singular.

2. Hau hakarak haruka karta ba Japaun.

   I want to send a letter to Japan.

   Usage

   Used when wanting to send mail to an international destination.

   Grammar Note

   "haruka" is the Tetum verb for "to send".

3. Iha selus ka lae?

   Do you have any stamps?

   Usage

   Used when buying stamps at the post office.

   Grammar Note

   "selus" is a postage stamp. Existence is asked with "Iha" at the front and "ka lae" at the end.

4. Pakote ne'e presiza kleur hira atu to'o?

   How long does it take for this package to arrive?

   Usage

   Used to ask about delivery time for a parcel.

   Grammar Note

   Duration is asked with "kleur hira". "naruk" is the length of horizontal objects and is not used for time.

5. Haruka internasionál nia kustu hira?

   How much does international shipping cost?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the cost of international postage.

   Grammar Note

   "kustu" is cost. The similar-looking "kusta" is a different word meaning "difficult, hard", and cannot be used here.

6. Hau iha pakote ida ba simu.

   I have a package to collect.

   Usage

   Used when collecting a parcel at the post office.

   Grammar Note

   "simu" means "to receive" or "to welcome" in Tetum.

7. Hatudu hau diresaun koreius nian.

   Show me the post office's address.

   Usage

   Used to ask someone to show or tell a postal address.

   Grammar Note

   "diresaun" is the address of a building. "X nian" forms the possessive "of X".

8. Lista akompanha pakote ne'e.

   This package comes with a list.

   Usage

   Used when declaring contents of an international package.

   Grammar Note

   The verb is "akompanha" (to accompany). The Portuguese past-participle form ("acompanhado") is not used in Tetun, so the idea is expressed actively: "the list accompanies this package".

9. Koreius loke iha tuku hira?

   What time does the post office open?

   Usage

   Used to ask about post office opening hours.

   Grammar Note

   "loke" is "to open" ("abre" is untranslated Portuguese). Clock time is "tuku hira".

10. Hau hakarak haruka pakote ne'e lalais.

    I want to send the package by express.

    Usage

    Used to request express delivery for urgent mail or packages.

    Grammar Note

    There is no word for express mail, so the request is phrased with "lalais" (quickly) — "I want to send this package quickly".

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