Be quiet! Stop crying. in Tetun

Nonook ona! Keta tanis tan.

English → Tetun phrasebook

Grammar in this phrase

  • Aspect markers

    ona — 'already' (perfective)

    ona

    Placed after the verb (or after the object), 'ona' marks that something has already happened. Cannot stand alone — must belong to a sentence. See also 'tiha ona' for a stronger completed aspect.

  • Prohibition & permission

    keta / lalika / la bele — prohibition

    keta

    Three strengths of 'don't': 'lalika(n)' is softest — 'no need to, don't bother'. 'keta' is a direct prohibitive command. 'la bele' = 'not allowed, must not'.

More patterns like these in the Tetun grammar guide.

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