Even though his clothes were still somewhat wet, Atoy had to wear them, because he was late for school. in Tetun

Grammar in this phrase

• Aspect markers

  hela — 'currently' or 'reside'

  hela

  After a verb, 'hela' marks continuous aspect ('is ...-ing'). As a standalone verb it means 'live, reside'. Often paired with 'sei' for 'is still ...-ing'.

• 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.

• Aspect markers

  sei — 'will' or 'still'

  sei

  Tetun has no verb conjugation. Aspect and tense are marked by particles. 'sei' sits immediately before the verb — marking a definite future ('will') or a continuative ('still'). Combine with 'hela' after the verb for ongoing action. Negation is 'sei la' = 'will not'.

More patterns like these in the Tetun grammar guide.

Related phrases

• Labarik ne'e kalan boot ona mós matan lakan nafatin.Even though it is late at night, this child is still wide awake.
• Mateus agora de'ut hela nia matan, tanba ai-luruk mak tama.Mateus is rubbing his eyes with the back of his hands, because a prickle has gotten into his eye.
• Ha'u tenke la'o de'it, biar eskola dook.I have to walk, even though the school is far away.
• Ó nia ropa bokon hotu, di'ak liu habai tiha.Your clothes are all wet; you’d better hang them out to dry.
• Nia tau ropa dalas haat mós, sei malirin nafatin.Even though she wore four layers of clothing, she still felt cold.
• Aban ita bá hola ha'u nia kalsa naruk, para ha'u uza ba eskola.Tomorrow lets go and buy me some trousers so I can wear them to school.