My understanding of the Portuguese language is still limited. 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'.

• 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

• Ha'u nia koñesimentu kona ba kria website seidauk to'o.My understanding of creating website is still lacking.
• Ba toos na'in sira, asesu ba merkadu sei limitadu, liuliu iha fatin izoladu.For farmers, access to markets is still limited, especially in isolated places.
• Aguenta tan uitoan, ha'u sei te'in hela.Hang on, I’m still cooking.
• Marta aprende Portugés.Marta is learning Portuguese.
• Señór ko'alia Portugés ka?Do you ('sir') speak Portuguese?
• Ha'u nia moris sei sadere hela ba ha'u nia família.My life still depends on my family.