Greetings and Introductions
Master the fundamentals of Tetum grammar
Module 1: Asking and Telling Names
Skill 3 – Polite Responses and Short Introductions
Polite responses and short introductions are key to making friendly and respectful connections when speaking Tetum. After greeting someone and asking their name, you can respond to questions about your well-being, tell them where you are from, and close the interaction politely.
In Tetum:
Hau diak means "I am fine" and is a common response to "Oinsá ho ita?" ("How are you?").
You can tell your origin with Hau husi … meaning "I am from …".
Kontente bele hasoru o is a polite closing phrase that expresses friendliness and respect.
This lesson will help you:
- Respond politely to "How are you?"
- Tell someone where you are from.
- End short introductions with a friendly phrase.
By using these expressions, you will be able to hold basic introductory conversations with more confidence and cultural appropriateness.
1. Vocabulary
| Tetum | English Translation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hau diak | I am fine | Positive response to "How are you?" |
| Hau La diak | Not fine / Not well | Use when feeling unwell |
| Hau husi … | I am from … | Example: Hau husi Timor-Leste |
| Kontenti bele hasoru o | Nice to meet you | Often used at the end of introductions |
2. Examples
Example 1 – Responding to "How are you?"
Tetum: Oinsá ho ita? Hau diak.
English: How are you? I am fine.
Example 2 – Saying where you are from
Tetum: Hau husi Australia.
English: I am from Australia.
Example 3 – Full short introduction
Tetum: Dader diak, Hau-nia naran Paulo. Hau husi Timor-Leste. Kontenti bele hasoru o.
English: Good morning, My name is Paulo. I am from Timor-Leste. Nice to meet you.
4. Practice
A. Fill in the blanks:
- Hau ______. (I am fine)
- Hau ______ Baucau. (I am from Baucau)
- Kontenti bele ______ ita. (Nice to meet you)
B. Translate to Tetum:
- I am fine.
- I am from Baucau.
- Nice to meet you.
5. Answer Key & Explanation
A. Fill in the blanks
- diak → "Hau diak" means "I am fine."
- husi → "Hau husi Baucau" means "I am from Baucau."
- hasoru → "Prazer atu hasoru o" means "Nice to meet you."
B. Translation
- Hau diak.
- Hau husi Baucau.
- Kontenti bele hasoru o.
Explanation:
- Diak = fine/well; La diak = not fine/unwell.
- Husi = from (used for origin).
- Kontenti bele hasouru o is a standard polite phrase to end an introduction.
Remember to use polite expressions when speaking Tetum to make your interactions more friendly and respectful. 😊