While the procession was underway, suddenly a crazy person barged through. in Tetun
Ema sei halo hela prosesaun, derrepente ema bulak tama sasurut de'it mai.
English → Tetun phrasebook
Grammar in this phrase
Aspect markers
hela — 'currently' or 'reside'
helaAfter 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'
seiTetun 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'.
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
- Mane klosan ida halai motór hanesan ema bulak.A young single guy rode a motorbike like a crazy person.
- Ha'u hatene an katak ha'u ema kiak.I am aware that I am a poor person.
- Ema ne'e ko'alia oin ida, hahalok oin ida.This person talks one way, acts another.
- Derrepente alarme lian, "Kring!"Suddenly the alarm clock went off, "Ring!"
- Tia sikat ulsuku iha fuuk.Auntie stuck her hairpin through her hair.
- Ó neon la iha, labarik ki'ikoan mós ó baku!You're crazy, you even hit little children!