Shopping

1. Ne'e hira?

   Ne-e hi-ra?

   How much is this?

   Usage

   The most basic phrase to ask for the price in a market or shop

   Grammar Note

   "hira" is the Tetum question word for quantity/price. This very short phrase is widely used in markets and stalls. Timor-Leste uses the US dollar.

2. Bele baratu liu?

   Be-le ba-ra-tu li-u?

   Can you make it cheaper?

   Usage

   Basic bargaining phrase. Negotiating prices is normal in Timorese markets

   Grammar Note

   "baratu" from Portuguese "barato." "liu" is Tetum's comparative marker meaning "more." "adjective + liu" = "more [adjective]."

3. Karu liu

   Ka-ru li-u

   Too expensive

   Usage

   Bargaining phrase when the price seems too high

   Grammar Note

   "karu" from Portuguese "caro" (expensive). "liu" expresses both comparison and excess. "karu liu" is a classic bargaining opener.

4. Hau sosa ida ne'e

   Hau so-sa i-da ne-e

   I'll take this / I'll buy this

   Usage

   When you have decided to purchase an item

   Grammar Note

   Buying is "sosa". "simu" means "to receive", which is not a statement of intent to purchase.

5. Iha kór seluk ka lae?

   I-ha kor se-luk ka lae?

   Do you have another color?

   Usage

   When looking for a different color in clothing or goods

   Grammar Note

   "seluk" is native Tetum for "other/another." "Kór" is colour ("kór kafé" = brown, "kór moris" = bright colour); it is not spelled "kolor". "iha ... ka lae?" is the standard "do you have...?" construction.

6. Tais nia folin hira?

   Ta-is ni-a fo-lin hi-ra?

   How much is the tais (traditional woven cloth)?

   Usage

   Tais is Timor-Leste's traditional handwoven cloth and a major souvenir

   Grammar Note

   "tais" is Timor-Leste's iconic textile, essential for weddings and ceremonies. "Folin" is price ("folin sa'e" = the price goes up); it is not spelled "prexu". "nia folin" = "its price."

7. Hau bele haree ne'e?

   Hau be-le ha-re-e ne-e?

   Can I see this?

   Usage

   Ask to look at or handle an item before buying

   Grammar Note

   "haree" is a native Tetum verb for "to see/look." "bele haree" = "can see." In Timorese market culture, browsing without buying is perfectly acceptable.

8. Troka osan iha ne'ebé?

   Tro-ka o-san i-ha ne-e-be?

   Where can I exchange money?

   Usage

   Timor-Leste uses USD as the main currency, with unique centavo coins

   Grammar Note

   "Troka" is borrowed from Portuguese "trocar" (to exchange); "osan" is the native Tetun word for money. "Iha ne'ebé?" is the standard "where is/can I…?" formula. The word is spelled ne'e / ne'ebé; nee / nebe are variants of the same word.

9. Hau bele selu ho kartaun?

   Hau be-le se-lu ho kar-taun?

   Can I pay by card?

   Usage

   Cash (USD) is the norm in Timor-Leste. Card payment is only available at larger hotels and shops

   Grammar Note

   "Selu" is the native verb for paying ("selu taksi" = pay for the taxi), not Portuguese "paga". "ho" is a preposition meaning "with / by means of", expressing instrument or accompaniment.

10. Iha saku seluk ka lae?

    I-ha sa-ku se-luk ka lae?

    Can I have another bag?

    Usage

    Ask for an extra shopping bag

    Grammar Note

    "saku" from Portuguese "saco." "seluk" means "another/other," used for requesting an extra. Environmental awareness in Timor-Leste is growing, with plastic bag reduction efforts underway.

11. Hau la presiza resibu.

    Hau la pre-si-za re-si-bu.

    I don't need a receipt

    Usage

    How to decline when asked "Presiza resibu ka lae?" (do you need a receipt?)

    Grammar Note

    Putting the negator "la" before the verb turns "Hau presiza resibu." (I need a receipt) into a refusal. The word order is otherwise unchanged — just one word added before the verb.

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