If the budget is approved, we will give employ another five staff on contracts. in Tetun

Grammar in this phrase

• 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'.

• Conditionals

  se / karik — conditionals

  se

  '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.

More patterns like these in the Tetun grammar guide.

Related phrases

• Staf ne'ebé publika sai dadus konfidensiál, hanesan kontratu projetu tenderizasaun ka kontratu servisu, sei hetan sansaun.Staff who publish confidential data, such as tender documents or work contracts, will receive sanctions.
• Ó hakarak saida de'it, apá fó.Whatever you want, Dad will give.
• Ha'u sei komprende lalais karik ita fó ezemplu ne'ebé di'ak.I will understand quickly if you give good examples.
• Oras ida mestra Portugés fó ezame orál ho mós eskrita.Later the Portuguese teacher will give oral and written exams.
• Sira sei halo kordenasaun ho sira nia xefe depois mak fó desizaun.They will coordinate with their boss, then they will make a decision.
• Mestre ne'e matan osan; ita fó osan mak nia fó valór di'ak.This teacher is greedy. Only if we give money does he give us good marks.