Mr Olivio’s capacity in using a computer is very minimal, because he has only just started using one. in Tetun
Sr. Olivio nia kapasidade kona ba uza komputadór mínimu liu, tanba foin hahú uza.
English → Tetun phrasebook
Grammar in this phrase
Comparison
liu — comparison 'more / most'
liuTetun comparison uses 'X liu Y' not 'mais X' — the adjective stays put and 'liu' follows. With a focus 'mak' it becomes superlative. Avoid Portuguese-style 'melhor' or 'mais boot'.
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.
Time expressions
Temporal connectors
foinCommon time words: 'bainhira / kuandu' = when; 'molok / antes' = before; 'depois' and 'liu tiha' = after; 'kedas' = immediately; 'foin' = only just, very recently; 'kleur' = a long time.
More patterns like these in the Tetun grammar guide.
Translate your own text with the free English ↔ Tetun translator or look up individual words in the Tetun dictionary.
Related phrases
- Ha'u foin komesa aprende Tetun.I have only just started learning Tetun.
- Tina nia kakorok laran katar tan de'it nia hemu bee torneira.Tina’s throat is very itchy just because she drank tap water.
- Nu'udar fundadór ida, ha'u orgullu loos tanba ita nia universidade loke ona kursu mestradu.As one of the founders, I am very proud that our university has now started a masters' course.
- Ha'u foin aprende kaer kareta.I've only just learned to drive.
- Ha'u ladún gosta ida ne'e.I don’t like this one very much.
- Ajuda kehe ha'u lai, tanba kosar loos ne'e.Please fan me, because I am very sweaty.