Tetun Translator

Who is the oldest? in Tetun

Sé mak tinan boot liu?

English → Tetun phrasebook

Grammar in this phrase

  • 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'.

  • Focus

    mak — focus marker

    mak

    'mak' focuses the preceding constituent — used when English would bold or cleft ('it was X who...'). Also forms the superlative with 'liu'.

More patterns like these in the Tetun grammar guide.

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