Public Transport

1. Bis ne'e ba ne'ebé?

   Where does this bus go?

   Usage

   Asking the destination of a bus

   Grammar Note

   Bus is "bis". "ba" means "go / to" and "ne'ebé" is the question word "where", placed at the end. "fatin" is the noun "place", not a question word

2. Tuku hira mak bis aranka?

   What time does the bus depart?

   Usage

   Checking the departure time of a bus

   Grammar Note

   "mak" is a focus particle. "Tuku hira mak...?" asks "at what time does...?" "tuku hira" is clock time and "aranka" is depart ("prazu" means deadline, not time of day)

3. Hau hakarak bilheti ida.

   I would like one ticket.

   Usage

   Buying a single ticket for public transport

   Grammar Note

   Tetum places numerals like "ida" (one) after the noun they modify

4. Iha fatin hein bis besik ne'e?

   Is there a bus stop near here?

   Usage

   Looking for a nearby bus stop

   Grammar Note

   "Iha X besik ne'e?" is the standard pattern for "Is there X near here?" There is no single word for bus stop; it is expressed as "fatin hein bis" (place for waiting for the bus), "hein" being "to wait". Portuguese "paragem" is not used in Tetun

5. Bis ne'e para iha Dili?

   Does this bus stop in Dili?

   Usage

   Asking if a bus stops at a specific city or location

   Grammar Note

   "iha" is Tetum's location preposition, equivalent to English "in" or "at"

6. Osan hira mak bilheti?

   How much is the ticket?

   Usage

   Asking the fare for public transport

   Grammar Note

   "Osan hira mak...?" is the standard Tetum pattern for asking prices

7. Hau lakon dalan. Bele ajuda hau?

   I am lost. Can you help me?

   Usage

   Asking for help when lost while using public transport

   Grammar Note

   "Bele ajuda hau?" asks "Can you help me?" — "bele" expresses ability/permission

8. Bis tuir mai, mai bainhira?

   When is the next bus coming?

   Usage

   Asking when the next bus will arrive

   Grammar Note

   "tuir mai" is a compound meaning "next/following", used to say "the next [bus]". The question word "bainhira" (when) goes at the end of the sentence

9. Hau hakarak sai iha ne'e.

   I want to get off here.

   Usage

   Telling the driver you want to get off at the current stop

   Grammar Note

   "sai" means "exit / get off" and is used for disembarking from vehicles

10. Dalan ba aeroportu iha ne'ebé?

    What is the way to the airport?

    Usage

    Asking for directions to the airport

    Grammar Note

    "iha ne'ebé?" asks "where / which?". "Dalan ba ... iha ne'ebé?" means "where is the road to ...?"

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