Mateus is rubbing his eyes with the back of his hands, because a prickle has gotten into his eye. 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'.

• Focus

  mak — focus marker

  mak

  'mak' focuses the preceding constituent — used when English would bold or cleft ('it was X who...'). Also forms the superlative with 'liu'.

• Possession

  nia / nian — possession

  nia

  'nia' goes BEFORE the thing possessed; 'nian' goes AFTER. Both function the same way; position decides which form. 'nia' is also the 3rd-person pronoun (he / she / it) — disambiguate by position.

More patterns like these in the Tetun grammar guide.

Related phrases

• Nia saláriu hakerek klaru iha kontratu laran.His salary is clearly written in his contract.
• Paulo laran moras tanba nia kolega lohi nia.Paulo is upset because his friend deceived him.
• Janio monu ho motor, nia ain tohar.Janio fell off his motorbike and broke his leg.
• Wingky sente laran kanek tanba nia doben tolok nia.Wingky is hurt because his girlfriend swore at him.
• Lita: Nia naran António ka? Ina: Lae, nia naran José.Lita: Is his name António? Ina: No, his name is José.
• António gaba nia ferik oan tanba nia te'in midar loos.António praised his wife because she cooked a tasty meal.