Phrases › Tetum
Phrases
Early draft: There was little reliable source material for this language, so some lines may be wrong. Check with a speaker before relying on them.
In Tetum, hello is Bondia and thank you is Obrigadu. Here are 14 everyday Tetum phrases with pronunciation, for travel and a first conversation.
How to say hello in Tetum · How to say thank you in Tetum · How to say goodbye in Tetum · How to say please in Tetum · How to say sorry in Tetum
| English | Tetum |
|---|---|
| Hello | Bondia Lit. "good morning" (used until about 11:30am); botardi (good afternoon) and bonoiti (good evening/night) are used later in the day — Tetum has no single all-purpose "hello". |
| Goodbye | Adeus Até amanhá (see you tomorrow) and ate logu (see you later today) are common alternatives. |
| Please | Favór ida Lit. "favour one". |
| Thank you | Obrigadu Men say obrigadu, women say obrigada, matching the speaker's own gender. |
| Yes | Sín |
| No | Lae |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Lisensa Deskulpa is used more specifically for "sorry". |
| I don't understand | Ha'u la kompriende Built from confirmed la (not) and kompriende (understand). |
| Please speak slowly | Koalia neineik favór ida Built from confirmed koalia (speak), neineik (slowly) and favór ida (please). |
| How much is it? | Folin hira? Lit. "price how much". |
| I'd like this, please | Ha'u hakarak ida nee, favór ida Built from confirmed hakarak (want), ida nee (this one) and favór ida (please). |
| Where is …? | ... iha nebee? Fill the gap with the place name. |
| I need a doctor | Ha'u presiza doutór ida Confirmed as a set phrase for "I need a doctor". |
| I don't speak Tetum | Ha'u la koalia Tetun Same 'Ha'u la' as the file's 'I don't understand' |
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