I am sharpening a knife because it is no longer sharp. 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

  tiha ona — completed perfect

  tiha ona

  Stronger than 'ona' alone. Marks a completed action with ongoing relevance — closer to the English present perfect.

More patterns like these in the Tetun grammar guide.

Related phrases

• Kuidadu! Tudik ne'e kro'at loos.Be careful! This knife is very sharp.
• Tudik ne'e meik loos, bele uza hodi sona fahi.This knife is very sharp, and can be used to stab the pig.
• Padre deskomunga Maria ho Justino tanba sira na'in rua soe malu ona.The priest declared that Maria and Justino can no longer take communion because they have divorced.
• Uluk ema respeitu ó tanba ó servisu ho onestu, maibé agora ó nia naran aat ona tanba ó na'ok.People used to respect of you because you worked honestly, but now you have a bad reputation because you stole.
• Ajuda kehe ha'u lai, tanba kosar loos ne'e.Please fan me, because I am very sweaty.
• Matéria Inglés tama ha'u nia kakutak lalais de'it, tanba ha'u gosta.I learn English fast, because I like it.