You probably have anaemia, that’s why your face looks so pale. in Tetun

Grammar in this phrase

• Conditionals

  se / karik — conditionals

  karik

  'se' opens a definite conditional ('if X, then Y'). 'karik' sits at the end of a clause and hedges it ('perhaps'); it can also mark an uncertain conditional.

• 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'.

• Intensifiers

  Intensifiers (loos, tebes, demais, laduun)

  loos

  Position matters. 'loos' / 'tebes' / 'demais' follow the adjective ('barak loos' = very many). 'laduun' PRECEDES the adjective ('laduun diak' = not very good). 'liu tan' = even more.

More patterns like these in the Tetun grammar guide.

Related phrases

• Ha'u haree ó oin kamutis loos ne'e. Ó moras karik?I see you face is very pale. Are you sick?
• Feto ne'e oin aat loos. Nia presiza make-up para halo oin di'ak oituan.This woman has a very ugly face. She needs makeup to beautify her face a bit.
• Ita rezolve problema, di'ak liu ko'alia oin ho oin, la bele iha kotukotuk.When resolving problems, it's better to talk face to face, not behind people's backs.
• Avoo pai nia oin namkurut loos.Grandpa has a very wrinkled face.
• Ha'u fila oin ba apá tanba nia bolu ha'u.I turned to face Dad because he called me.
• Sees hosi ha'u nia uma! Ha'u la gosta haree ó nia oin.Get away from my house! I don’t like to see your face.