The Head of Government gave the internally displaced people an ultimatum, saying that on 15th December humanitarian aid would cease. 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'.

• Comparison

  liu — comparison 'more / most'

  liu

  Tetun 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'.

More patterns like these in the Tetun grammar guide.

Related phrases

• Populasaun Oecusse hetan ajudu hosi governu tanba hetan dezastre naturais.The people of Oecusse received aid from the government because they went through a natural disaster.
• Iha 1974 governu koloniál Portugés fó liberdade ba povu Timor-leste atu harii partidu polítiku.In 1974 the Portuguese colonial government gave the East Timorese people freedom to establish political parties.
• Bainhira povu hili governu tuir prosesu ne'ebé la'o ho loos tuir lei, governu ne'e lejítimu.When the people choose a government according to a process that is run properly in accordance with the law, this government is legitimate.
• Kuandu ema hala'o edukasaun sívika, sira hanorin povu kona ba lia polítiku nian, no mós kona ba direitu no responsabilidade reinu nian, atu foti povu nia konsiénsia polítiku.When people conduct civic education, they teach the people about political affairs, and also about the rights and responsibilities of the people, to raise their political awareness.
• Ha'u fó $1, nia volta fali 50c.I gave (him) a dollar, and he gave me fifty cents change.
• Ema Atauro bahat ai sai estátua ema ne'ebé furak loos.Atauro people carve wood into beautiful statues of people.