Before going to school, tidy up (your) bed. in Tetun
Molok atu bá eskola, aruma tiha kama lai.
English → Tetun phrasebook
Grammar in this phrase
Aspect markers
lai — 'first' / polite request
laiAfter the verb or object, 'lai' means 'first, for a moment' — often softens a request by implying the action won't last long.
Time expressions
Temporal connectors
molokCommon time words: 'bainhira / kuandu' = when; 'molok / antes' = before; 'depois' and 'liu tiha' = after; 'kedas' = immediately; 'foin' = only just, very recently; 'kleur' = a long time.
More patterns like these in the Tetun grammar guide.
Translate your own text with the free English ↔ Tetun translator or look up individual words in the Tetun dictionary.
Related phrases
- Ó loroloron tenke kose nehan dala rua, dadeer ho molok atu toba.Every day you must brush your teeth twice, in the morning and before going to bed.
- Ha'u sei hamaran hela ropa antes ha'u bá servisu.I’m drying the clothes before going to work.
- Sandra uza mina morin rega ba nia faru atu bá festa.Sandra sprays perfume on her blouse before going to a party.
- Uza eskova nehan ida ne'e hodi kose nehan didi'ak molok toba.Use this toothbrush to brush your teeth well before going to sleep.
- Agora ó nia laran sei manas. Di'ak liu hein to'o laran malirin foin bá ko'alia ho nia.You're still angry. You should wait until your anger has cooled before going to talk with him.
- Ita bá ne'ebé?Where are you going?