During the Indonesian period there used to be many checkpoints on the road from Bobonaro to Maliana. We had to show our travel permits before we could go on. in Tetun

Grammar in this phrase

• Comparison

  liu — comparison 'more / most'

  liu

  Tetun comparison uses 'X liu Y' not 'mais X' — the adjective stays put and 'liu' follows. With a focus 'mak' it becomes superlative. Avoid Portuguese-style 'melhor' or 'mais boot'.

• Focus

  mak — focus marker

  mak

  'mak' focuses the preceding constituent — used when English would bold or cleft ('it was X who...'). Also forms the superlative with 'liu'.

• Time expressions

  Temporal connectors

  foin

  Common 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.

Related phrases

• Uluk funu, militár Indonézia sira uza granada hodi hamate Timor oan barak.During the war, the Indonesian military used grenades to kill many Timorese.
• Kuidadu, iha botir rahun barak iha dalan. Di'ak liu tau sapatu.Be careful, as there are many broken bottles on the road. You had better put your shoes on.
• Durante tempu okupasaun indonézia Timor oan barak involve an iha movimentu rezisténsia hodi kontra TNI.During the Indonesian occupation, many Timorese were involved in the resistance movement against the Indonesian military.
• Durante okupasaun Indonezia, Timor oan barak mate.Many Timorese people died during the Indonesian occupation.
• Durante okupasaun Indonézia, ema sivíl barak hetan detensaun arbitrária.During the Indonesian occupation, many civilians suffered arbitrary detention.
• Iha Lospalos fatuk kuak barak loos. Tempu uluk ema hela iha laran.In Lospalos there are very many caves. In the past people used to live in them.