If I had really entered that door, I too would have died. in Tetun

Grammar in this phrase

• Conditionals

  se / karik — conditionals

  sekarik

  'se' opens a definite conditional ('if X, then Y'). 'karik' sits at the end of a clause and hedges it ('perhaps'); it can also mark an uncertain conditional.

• 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

• Madalena huu nia liman ida ohin bee manas kona.Madalena blew on her hand which had just had hot water touch it.
• Hori-kalan ha'u atu estuda, maibé la iha livru, entaun ha'u deskansa de'it.Last night I intended to study, but had no books, so I just had a rest.
• Ha'u ladún gosta lee istória ne'e, tanba deskritivu demais, asaun la iha.I didn't really like reading this story, as it was too descriptive, there was no action.
• Ha'u nia oan ne'e ne'e, hanesa ami mesak, ne'e nia ladún seda – ladún maña.My daughter here, like, when we’re alone, she’s not really you-know – not really demanding.
• STAE hasai esteitmentu katak eleisaun ne'e iha sala maibé la iha manipulasaun.STAE released a statement that the election had involved errors but that there had been no manipulation.
• Ko'us labarik keta doko demais, se lae nia bele mura tanba nia foin han bosu loos.When cuddling this infant don't shake her too much, else she might burp up her milk, because she's just had a big feed.