Why is a big boat able to float, while even a small stone sinks? in Tetun
Nusaa mak ro'o todan bele namlele, maibé fatuk ki'ikoan ida mós mout?
English → Tetun phrasebook
Grammar in this phrase
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'.
Possibility & probability
bele / parese / dala ruma / kala — possibility
beleTetun hedges less than English, but has a cluster of markers. 'bele' before the verb = can / may. 'parese' at the start = 'seems'. 'dala ruma' at the start of a clause = 'perhaps, sometimes'. 'kala / kal' before a number = 'approximately'.
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
- Ó nia matan musan boot hanesan berlindus.Your eyeballs are as big as marbles.
- Ita nein komprende musan ida.We don't even understand a single word.
- Tia hodi saida iha pasta boot ne'e ?What is auntie carrying in this big bag?
- Kontínua la'o bá oin maski iha susar nia laran.Keep going ahead even when it is difficult.
- Ó neon la iha, labarik ki'ikoan mós ó baku!You're crazy, you even hit little children!
- Ha'u presiza osan rahun para selu bemo.I need small change to pay for the minibus.