If we manage our money properly, we can use fifty dollars for a month. in Tetun

Grammar in this phrase

• Conditionals

  se / karik — conditionals

  karik

  '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.

• Possibility & probability

  bele / parese / dala ruma / kala — possibility

  bele

  Tetun hedges less than English, but has a cluster of markers. 'bele' before the verb = can / may. 'parese' at the start = 'seems'. 'dala ruma' at the start of a clause = 'perhaps, sometimes'. 'kala / kal' before a number = 'approximately'.

More patterns like these in the Tetun grammar guide.

Related phrases

• Ami nia rendimentu fulan ida ne'e mínimu liu: dolar limanulu de'it!.Our minimum income for this month was very low: only fifty dollars!
• Iha ami nia aldeia ami uza jeradór bainhira presiza karega telefone.In our village, we use a generator to charge our phones.
• Ami nia osan rai iha banku. Ami presiza mak bele bá foti.We keep our money in the bank. We can go and take it out when we need it.
• Osan sei manán justisa mundu nian, tanba hodi osan ema sala bele sai ba loos.Money will defeat justice in the world, as with money people who have done wrong can be (judged) right.
• Ita uza ita nia matan hodi haree.we use our eyes to see.
• Koto lata ida sentavus limanulu.A can of red beans is fifty cents.