Tetum is a Malayo-Polynesian language and one of the two official languages of Timor-Leste (alongside Portuguese). Even a handful of phrases will go a long way — Timorese people genuinely appreciate visitors who make the effort. Start with this one:
Hau hadomi O — I love you
The official languages are Portuguese and Tetum, so if you have spent time in Portugal, Brazil, or any Portuguese-speaking country, you already have a head start. There are also around 31 other local languages spoken across the country.
Basic Greetings
| Tetum | English |
|---|
| Elo | Hello |
| Ksolok Bodik Mai / Bemvindu | Welcome |
| Bondia / Dader diak | Good morning |
| Botarde / Lorokraik diak | Good afternoon |
| Bonoite / Kalan diak | Good evening / Good night |
| Atelogu | See you later |
| Sorti diak ba loron ohin | Have a nice day |
| Hau ba lai / Adeus / Ate amanyá | Goodbye |
| Lao didiak / Boa Viajem | Bon voyage |
| Sorti diak / Boasorte | Good luck |
| Sin | Yes |
| Lae | No |
Everyday Conversation
| Tetum | English |
|---|
| Obrigadu barak (male) / Obrigada barak (female) | Thank you very much |
| Favór ida | Please |
| Deskulpa | I’m sorry |
| Kolisensa | Excuse me |
| Di’ak ka lae? | How are you? (lit. “Are you well or not?”) |
| Hau diak. Obrigadu/a. Ita mo’s di’ak? | I’m fine, thanks. And you? |
| Kleur ona la hetan ita | Long time no see |
| Ita nia naran saida? | What is your name? |
| Ha’u nia naran … | My name is … |
| Ita mai husi rai ida ne’ebe? | Where are you from? |
| Ha’u hosi … | I’m from … |
| Laran kontenti tebes atu hasoru malu ho ita | Pleased to meet you |
Language Help
| Tetum | English |
|---|
| Ita, bele ko’alia Inglês? | Do you speak English? |
| Ita, bele ko’alia Tetun? | Do you speak Tetum? |
| Sim, ituan | Yes, a little |
| Ha’u la hatene ko’alia Tetun | I can’t speak Tetum |
| Ha’u komprende | I understand |
| Ha’u la komprende | I do not understand |
| Favor ida koalia neneik ituan | Please speak more slowly |
| Favor ida bele dehan fali | Please say that again |
| Favor ida hakerek | Please write it down |
| (…) iha tetum dehan saida? | How do you say (…) in Tetum? |
Emergencies
| Tetum | English |
|---|
| Ajuda! | Help! |
| Ahi! | Fire! |
| Para! | Stop! |
| Bolu polisia! | Call the police! |
| Klinika iha nebee? | Where is the hospital? |
| Diak lalais | Get well soon |
| Sai tiha husi ne’e! | Leave me alone! |
Dining
| Tetum | English |
|---|
| Serbida / Han ho gostu | Bon appétit |
| Ha’u vejetarianu/a | I am vegetarian |
| Ha’u gosta (…) | I like (…) |
| Ha’u la han na’an | I don’t eat meat |
| Ha’u la han na’an manu | I don’t eat chicken |
| Ha’u la han ikan | I don’t eat fish |
| Ha’u iha alerjia kona ba aimusan | I am allergic to nuts |
| Ha’u iha alerjia kona ba hahán hosi tasi | I am allergic to seafood |
| Ha’u iha alerjia kona ba manutolun | I am allergic to eggs |
| Sintina iha ne’ebe? | Where is the toilet? |
| Saúde! | Cheers! |
| Senhor/Senhora ne’e mak sei selu buat hotu-hotu | This gentleman/lady will pay for everything |
Directions
| Tetum | English |
|---|
| Karuk | Left |
| Loos | Right |
| Ita ba nebee? | Where are you going? |
| Dook ka lae? | How far is it? |
| Iha liman karuk/loos ka? | Is it on the left/right? |
| iha nebee? | Where is…? |
| Ha’u la’o sala tiha dalan | I’m lost |
| Tetum | English |
|---|
| Ida ne’e folin hira? | How much does this cost? |
| Karun los! | That’s too expensive! |
| Hau foo dolar (number) | I will give you (number) dollars |
| Diak, osan maka nee | OK, here’s the money |
Special Occasions
| Tetum | English |
|---|
| Ksolok loron natal nian no Boas entradas! | Merry Christmas and Happy New Year |
| Feliz Paskua | Happy Easter |
| Ksolok Loron Tinan Nian | Happy Birthday |
| Ita hakarak dansa ho hau | Would you like to dance with me? |
Days of the Week
| Tetum | English |
|---|
| Segunda | Monday |
| Tersa | Tuesday |
| Kuarta | Wednesday |
| Kinta | Thursday |
| Sesta | Friday |
| Sabadu | Saturday |
| Dumingu | Sunday |
Months
| Tetum | English |
|---|
| Janeiru | January |
| Fevreiru | February |
| Marsu | March |
| Abril | April |
| Maiu | May |
| Junhu | June |
| Julhu | July |
| Agostu | August |
| Septembru | September |
| Otubru | October |
| Novembru | November |
| Dezrembru | December |
Numbers
| Tetum | English |
|---|
| ida | 1 |
| rua | 2 |
| tolu | 3 |
| haat | 4 |
| lima | 5 |
| neen | 6 |
| hitu | 7 |
| walu | 8 |
| sia | 9 |
| sanulu | 10 |
| sanulu-resin-ida | 11 |
| ruanulu | 20 |
| tolunulu | 30 |
| atus ida | 100 |
| rihun ida | 1,000 |
Languages of Timor-Leste
Timor-Leste is remarkably linguistically diverse. Beyond Tetum and Portuguese, the country has around 31 local languages, including: Adabe, Atauru, Baikeno, Bekais, Bunak, Fataluku, Galoli, Kemak, Makalero, Makasae, Mambai, Naueti, Tokodede, and Waimaha, among others.
Tetum itself has two main forms: Tetum Prasa (the urban, more widely spoken variety) and Tetum Terik (the more traditional inland form). The phrases above are in Tetum Prasa, which you will hear most in Dili and tourist areas.
