The investigation process into Armando’s is still ongoing. 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'.

• 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

  nian

  '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

• Na'an ne'e koá halo pedasuk-pedasuk.Cut this meat into pieces.
• Aguenta tan uitoan, ha'u sei te'in hela.Hang on, I’m still cooking.
• Ha'u haree ro'o mout iha tasi laran.I saw a ferry drown into the sea.
• Ha'u nia moris sei sadere hela ba ha'u nia família.My life still depends on my family.
• Kuidadu! Standar tuun hela.Be careful! The stand is still down.
• Rai sei nakukun bainhira Julieta hadeer husi nia toba fatin.It was still dark when Julieta got up.