Tetum phrases for travel

Basic Tetum phrases for a trip, with how to say them and what they mean.

Emergency

Ajuda! · ah-ZHOO-dah · Help
Ha'u presiza doutór. · HA-oo preh-SEE-za doh-TOR · I need a doctor
Bolu ambulánsia! · BO-loo am-boo-LAN-see-a · Call an ambulance
Bolu polísia! · BO-loo po-LEE-see-a · Call the police
Ha'u lakon dalan. · HA-oo LA-kon DA-lan · I'm lost
Ajuda ha'u, ha'u-nia kolega moras. · a-ZHOO-da HA-oo, HA-oo-nee-a ko-LEH-ga MO-ras · I need help, my friend is ill
Ema ida kanek. · EH-ma EE-da KA-nek · Someone is hurt
Ospitál iha ne'ebé? · os-pee-TAL EE-ha neh-eh-BEH · Where is the hospital?
Ha'u alérjiku ba penisilina. / Ha'u alérjika ba penisilina. · HA-oo a-LER-zhee-koo ba peh-nee-see-LEE-na / a-LER-zhee-ka… · I'm allergic to penicillin
Ha'u alérjiku ba forai. / Ha'u alérjika ba forai. · HA-oo a-LER-zhee-koo ba fo-RAI / a-LER-zhee-ka… · I'm allergic to nuts
Ha'u alérjiku ba ai-han tasi. / Ha'u alérjika ba ai-han tasi. · HA-oo a-LER-zhee-koo ba ai-HAN TA-see / a-LER-zhee-ka… · I'm allergic to shellfish
Ha'u alérjiku ba bani tata. / Ha'u alérjika ba bani tata. · HA-oo a-LER-zhee-koo ba BA-nee TA-ta / a-LER-zhee-ka… · I'm allergic to bee stings
Ahi! · A-hee · Fire
Ne'e emerjénsia. · NEH-eh eh-mer-ZHEN-see-a · It's an emergency
Favór ida, ita bele ajuda ha'u? · fa-VOR EE-da, EE-ta BEH-leh a-ZHOO-da HA-oo · Can you help me, please?
Ema na'ok ha'u-nia sasán. · EH-ma NA-ok HA-oo-nee-a sa-SAN · I've been robbed
Ha'u lakon ha'u-nia pasaporte. · HA-oo LA-kon HA-oo-nee-a pa-sa-POR-teh · I've lost my passport
Eskuadra polísia iha ne'ebé? · es-KWA-dra po-LEE-see-a EE-ha neh-eh-BEH · Where is the police station?
Favór ida, bolu númeru ne'e. · fa-VOR EE-da, BO-loo NOO-meh-roo NEH-eh · Please call this number
Husik ha'u! · HOO-sik HA-oo · Leave me alone
Ha'u iha moras diabetes. · HA-oo EE-ha MO-ras dee-a-BEH-tes · I'm diabetic
Ha'u iha moras asma. · HA-oo EE-ha MO-ras AS-ma · I have asthma
Ha'u isin rua. · HA-oo EE-sin ROO-a · I'm pregnant

At the border

Ne'e ha'u-nia pasaporte. · NEH-eh HA-oo-nee-a pa-sa-POR-teh · Here is my passport
Ha'u mai halimar. · HA-oo mai ha-LEE-mar · I'm here on holiday
Ha'u sei hela loron … · HA-oo say HEH-la LO-ron … · I'm staying for … days
Ha'u hela iha… · HA-oo HEH-la EE-ha · I'm staying at…
Ha'u liu de'it, ha'u ba… · HA-oo LEE-oo deh-EET, HA-oo ba · I'm passing through to…
Ha'u la'o ho bisikleta. · HA-oo LA-oh ho bee-see-KLEH-ta · I'm travelling by bicycle
Ha'u la'o ain. · HA-oo LA-oh ain · I'm travelling on foot
Ha'u la'o ho kareta. · HA-oo LA-oh ho ka-REH-ta · I'm travelling by car
Ha'u la'o ho ró. · HA-oo LA-oh ho ro · I'm travelling by boat
Ha'u la iha buat ida atu deklara. · HA-oo la EE-ha BOO-at EE-da A-too deh-KLA-ra · I have nothing to declare
Ha'u presiza vistu? · HA-oo preh-SEE-za VEES-too · Do I need a visa?
Ha'u iha bilhete fila. · HA-oo EE-ha bee-LYEH-teh FEE-la · I have a ticket home
Fronteira loke ka lae? · fron-TAY-ra LO-keh ka lai · Is the border open?
Postu fronteira iha ne'ebé? · POS-too fron-TAY-ra EE-ha neh-eh-BEH · Where is the border crossing?
Ha'u tenke kontaktu ha'u-nia embaixada. · HA-oo TEN-keh kon-TAK-too HA-oo-nee-a em-bai-SHA-da · I need to contact my embassy

Every day

Olá · o-LA · Hello
Bondia · bon-DEE-a · Good morning
Botarde · bo-TAR-deh · Good afternoon
Bonoite · bo-NOY-teh · Good evening
Até amanhá · a-TEH a-man-YA · Goodbye
Favór ida · fa-VOR EE-da · Please
Obrigadu / Obrigada · o-bree-GA-doo / o-bree-GA-da · Thank you
Sin · sin · Yes
Lae · lai · No
Kolisensa · ko-lee-SEN-sa · Excuse me
Deskulpa · des-KOOL-pa · Sorry
Ita ko'alia Inglés? · EE-ta ko-A-lee-a een-GLES · Do you speak English?
Ha'u la komprende · HA-oo la kom-PREN-deh · I don't understand
Sentina iha ne'ebé? · sen-TEE-na EE-ha neh-eh-BEH · Where is the toilet?
Loja iha ne'ebé? · LO-zha EE-ha neh-eh-BEH · Where is the shop?
Paragem mikrolete iha ne'ebé? · pa-RA-zhem mee-kro-LEH-teh EE-ha neh-eh-BEH · Where is the bus stop?
Farmásia iha ne'ebé? · far-MA-see-a EE-ha neh-eh-BEH · Where is the chemist?
Ha'u bele hetan bee hemu iha ne'ebé? · HA-oo BEH-leh HEH-tan beh HEH-moo EE-ha neh-eh-BEH · Where can I get drinking water?
Hira? · HEE-ra · How much is it?
Saúde! · sa-OO-deh · Cheers
Kalan di'ak · KA-lan dee-AK · Good night
Ha'u-nia naran… · HA-oo-nee-a NA-ran · My name is…
Ha'u mai husi… · HA-oo mai HOO-see · I'm from…
Loron di'ak! · LO-ron dee-AK · Have a good day
… iha ne'ebé? · … EE-ha neh-eh-BEH · Where is…?
Ita bele hatudu iha mapa? · EE-ta BEH-leh ha-TOO-doo EE-ha MA-pa · Can you show me on the map?
Favór ida, hakerek ba ha'u? · fa-VOR EE-da, ha-KEH-rek ba HA-oo · Can you write it down, please?
Favór ida, ko'alia neineik · fa-VOR EE-da, ko-A-lee-a nay-NAYK · Please speak more slowly
Favór ida, ita bele foti ami-nia foto? · fa-VOR EE-da, EE-ta BEH-leh FO-tee A-mee-nee-a FO-to · Could you take a photo of us, please?

Food and drink

Meza ida ba ema na'in rua, favór ida · MEH-za EE-da ba EH-ma NA-in ROO-a, fa-VOR EE-da · A table for two, please
Ementa, favór ida · eh-MEN-ta, fa-VOR EE-da · The menu, please
Ita rekomenda saida? · EE-ta reh-ko-MEN-da SAI-da · What do you recommend?
Iha hahán espesiál ba ohin? · EE-ha ha-HAN es-peh-see-AL ba O-heen · Is there a dish of the day?
Serveja ida, favór ida · ser-VEH-zha EE-da, fa-VOR EE-da · One beer, please
Serveja rua, favór ida · ser-VEH-zha ROO-a, fa-VOR EE-da · Two beers, please
Vinhu mean kopu ida, favór ida · VEEN-yoo MEH-an KO-poo EE-da, fa-VOR EE-da · A glass of red wine, please
Vinhu mutin kopu ida, favór ida · VEEN-yoo MOO-teen KO-poo EE-da, fa-VOR EE-da · A glass of white wine, please
Ida tan, favór ida · EE-da tan, fa-VOR EE-da · Another one, please
Kafé ida, favór ida · ka-FEH EE-da, fa-VOR EE-da · A coffee, please
Xá ida, favór ida · sha EE-da, fa-VOR EE-da · A tea, please
Sumu laranja ida, favór ida · SOO-moo la-RAN-zha EE-da, fa-VOR EE-da · An orange juice, please
Bee kopu ida, favór ida · beh KO-poo EE-da, fa-VOR EE-da · A glass of water, please
Bee de'it, favór ida · beh DEH-eet, fa-VOR EE-da · Still water, please
Ha'u la han na'an. · HA-oo la han NA-an · I'm vegetarian
La ho na'an, favór ida · la ho NA-an, fa-VOR EE-da · No meat, please
La ho forai, favór ida · la ho fo-RAI, fa-VOR EE-da · No nuts, please
Ne'e halal ka lae? · NEH-eh ha-LAL ka lai · Is this halal?
Ha'u la han na'an fahi. · HA-oo la han NA-an FA-hee · I don't eat pork
La ho tolun, favór ida · la ho TO-loon, fa-VOR EE-da · No eggs, please
La manas liu, favór ida · la MA-nas LEE-oo, fa-VOR EE-da · Not too spicy, please
Ne'e iha na'an ka lae? · NEH-eh EE-ha NA-an ka lai · Is there meat in this?
Ne'e iha ikan ka lae? · NEH-eh EE-ha EE-kan ka lai · Is there fish in this?
Konta, favór ida · KON-ta, fa-VOR EE-da · The bill, please
Bele lori ba? · BEH-leh LO-ree ba · Can I take this away?
Ne'e gostu tebes. · NEH-eh GOS-too TEH-bes · That was delicious
Iha sentina iha ne'e? · EE-ha sen-TEE-na EE-ha NEH-eh · Is there a toilet here?

A bed for the night

Iha kuartu ba kalan ne'e? · EE-ha KWAR-too ba KA-lan NEH-eh · Do you have a room for tonight?
Kalan ida hira? · KA-lan EE-da HEE-ra · How much per night?
Matabixu inklui ka lae? · ma-ta-BEE-shoo een-KLOO-ee ka lai · Is breakfast included?
Password wifi saida? · PAS-word WAI-fai sa-EE-da · What's the wifi password?
Ha'u bele husik ha'u-nia pasta iha ne'e? · HA-oo BEH-leh HOO-sik HA-oo-nee-a PAS-ta EE-ha NEH-eh · Can I leave my bags here?
Ha'u tenke sai tuku hira? · HA-oo TEN-keh sai TOO-koo HEE-ra · What time do I need to leave?
Ha'u bele fase ha'u-nia ropa iha ne'ebé? · HA-oo BEH-leh FA-seh HA-oo-nee-a RO-pa EE-ha neh-eh-BEH · Where can I wash my clothes?

At the chemist

Iha ai-moruk ba kabun moras? · EE-ha ai-MO-rook ba KA-boon MO-ras · Do you have something for an upset stomach?
Iha ai-moruk ba ulun moras? · EE-ha ai-MO-rook ba OO-loon MO-ras · Do you have something for a headache?

Shopping

Ne'e hira? · NEH-eh HEE-ra · How much is this?
Ha'u foti ida ne'e. · HA-oo FO-tee EE-da NEH-eh · I'll take it
Ha'u bele selu ho kartaun? · HA-oo BEH-leh SEH-loo ho kar-TOWN · Can I pay by card?
Iha … ka lae? · EE-ha … ka lai · Do you have…?
Ha'u haree de'it, obrigadu. · HA-oo ha-REH deh-EET, o-bree-GA-doo · Just looking, thanks
Plástiku ida, favór ida · PLAS-tee-koo EE-da, fa-VOR EE-da · A bag, please
Supermerkadu iha ne'ebé? · soo-per-mer-KA-doo EE-ha neh-eh-BEH · Where is the supermarket?
Paun · pown · Bread
Susubeen · soo-soo-BEHN · Milk
Bee botir · beh BO-teer · Water (bottled)
ATM iha ne'ebé? · ay-tee-EM EE-ha neh-eh-BEH · Where is a cash machine?
Ha'u bele selu ho osan? · HA-oo BEH-leh SEH-loo ho O-san · Can I pay in cash?
Kartaun SIM ho internet, favór ida · kar-TOWN sim ho een-ter-NET, fa-VOR EE-da · A SIM card with data, please
Loke tuku hira? · LO-keh TOO-koo HEE-ra · When do you open?

Getting around

Bilhete ida ba…, favór ida · bee-LYEH-teh EE-da ba, fa-VOR EE-da · A ticket to…, please
Sai tuku hira? · sai TOO-koo HEE-ra · When does it leave?
Bis ne'e ba… ka lae? · bees NEH-eh ba … ka lai · Is this the bus to…?
Liman karuk · LEE-man KA-rook · Left
Liman los · LEE-man los · Right
Los de'it · los deh-EET · Straight on
Dook ka lae? · doh-OK ka lai · How far is it?

By bike

Ha'u-nia roda kuak. · HA-oo-nee-a RO-da KOO-ak · I have a puncture
Ita bele hadi'a ha'u-nia bisikleta? · EE-ta BEH-leh ha-dee-A HA-oo-nee-a bee-see-KLEH-ta · Can you fix my bike?
Kareta barak iha estrada? · ka-REH-ta BA-rak EE-ha es-TRA-da · Is the road busy?
Sa'e maka'as? · sa-EH ma-ka-AS · Is it very steep?

Bike parts in Tetum

pneu · pneh-OO · Tyre
korrente · ko-REN-teh · Chain
roda · RO-da · Wheel
bomba · BOM-ba · Pump

On the road

Ha'u bele para kareta iha ne'ebé? · HA-oo BEH-leh PA-ra ka-REH-ta EE-ha neh-eh-BEH · Where can I park?
bomba gazolina · BOM-ba ga-zo-LEE-na · Petrol station
gasóleu · ga-ZO-leh-oo · Diesel
Ha'u-nia kareta aat. · HA-oo-nee-a ka-REH-ta a-AT · My car has broken down
Ha'u-nia pneu kuak. · HA-oo-nee-a pneh-OO KOO-ak · I have a flat tyre
gazolina · ga-zo-LEE-na · Unleaded

Car and van parts in Tetum

pneu · pneh-OO · Tyre
bateria · ba-teh-REE-a · Battery
mina motór · MEE-na mo-TOR · Engine oil
oficina · o-fee-SEE-na · A garage that does repairs

Walking

Dalan ne'e ba… ka lae? · DA-lan NEH-eh ba … ka lai · Is this the path to…?
La'o ain tempu hira? · LA-oh ain TEM-poo HEE-ra · How long does it take on foot?
Iha bee iha dalan ka lae? · EE-ha beh EE-ha DA-lan ka lai · Is there water on the way?
Dalan ne'e ba ne'ebé? · DA-lan NEH-eh ba neh-eh-BEH · Where does this path go?

Outdoors

Ha'u bele hela iha tenda iha ne'e? · HA-oo BEH-leh HEH-la EE-ha TEN-da EE-ha NEH-eh · Can I camp here?
Bee ne'e bele hemu ka lae? · beh NEH-eh BEH-leh HEH-moo ka lai · Is the water safe to drink?
Iha hariis fatin? · EE-ha ha-REES FA-tin · Is there a shower?
Ha'u bele karga ha'u-nia telefone iha ne'ebé? · HA-oo BEH-leh KAR-ga HA-oo-nee-a teh-leh-FO-neh EE-ha neh-eh-BEH · Where can I charge my phone?
Dalan ba… iha ne'ebé? · DA-lan ba … EE-ha neh-eh-BEH · Which way to…?
Aban tempu oinsá? · A-ban TEM-poo oin-SA · What will the weather be like tomorrow?
Bele sunu ahi iha ne'e? · BEH-leh SOO-noo A-hee EE-ha NEH-eh · Is it all right to light a fire?
Iha animál perigozu iha ne'e? · EE-ha a-nee-MAL peh-ree-GO-zoo EE-ha NEH-eh · Are there any dangerous animals here?

Camping and walking kit in Tetum

pilha · PEEL-ya · Batteries
krema loro-matan · KREH-ma lo-ro-MA-tan · Sun cream
lanterna · lan-TER-na · Torch
mapa área ne'e · MA-pa A-reh-a NEH-eh · A map of the area
iskeiru · ees-KAY-roo · Lighter

By boat

Ha'u bele kesi ró iha ne'ebé? · HA-oo BEH-leh KEH-see ro EE-ha neh-eh-BEH · Where can I moor?
Previzaun tempu oinsá? · preh-vee-ZOWN TEM-poo oin-SA · What is the weather forecast?
Ami tenke ba alfándega iha ne'ebé? · A-mee TEN-keh ba al-FAN-deh-ga EE-ha neh-eh-BEH · Where do we check in with customs?
Seguru atu soe ankora iha ne'e? · seh-GOO-roo A-too SO-eh AN-ko-ra EE-ha NEH-eh · Is it safe to anchor here?

Boat parts in Tetum

tali · TA-lee · Rope
ankora · AN-ko-ra · Anchor

Numbers in Tetum

ida · EE-da · 1
rua · ROO-a · 2
tolu · TO-loo · 3
haat · ha-AT · 4
lima · LEE-ma · 5
neen · neh-EN · 6
hitu · HEE-too · 7
ualu · oo-A-loo · 8
sia · SEE-a · 9
sanulu · sa-NOO-loo · 10
ruanulu · roo-a-NOO-loo · 20
limanulu · lee-ma-NOO-loo · 50
atus ida · A-toos EE-da · 100

Signs you'll see

To recognise when you see them.

Loke · LO-keh · Open
Taka · TA-ka · Closed
Tama · TA-ma · Entrance
Sai · sai · Exit
Sentina / WC · sen-TEE-na · Toilets
Mane · MA-neh · Men
Feto · FEH-to · Women
Labele tama · la-BEH-leh TA-ma · No entry
Perigu · peh-REE-goo · Danger

Where Tetum is spoken

Main language

Timor-Leste

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