I scrape off the phone recharge card to top up my phone, so I can call my mother. 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

  lai — 'first' / polite request

  lai

  After the verb or object, 'lai' means 'first, for a moment' — often softens a request by implying the action won't last long.

More patterns like these in the Tetun grammar guide.

Related phrases

• Ha'u fó nia pulsa saugati, maibé nia nafatin la telefone ha'u.I gave him phone credit for free, but he still didn’t call me.
• Faru ne'e haree hanesan bosan tiha ona, la bele uza ba festa.This top looks like it’s worn out. You can’t wear it to a party.
• Mina rai bele sai bénsaun ba nasaun, maibé bele mós sai malisan.Petroleum can be a blessing to a nation, but can also become a curse.
• Ahi lakan-mate beibeik bele estraga sasán eletróniku.When the power keeps going on and off, it can damage electronic goods.
• Ami rasik la bele ajuda ita, maibé ami bele husu ajuda ba ema seluk.We ourselves can’t help you, but we can ask for help from someone else.
• Sira na'in rua konslet hela, la bele bolu mai tuur hamutuk.The two of them are aren't talking, you can't call them to sit together.