Dhivehi (ދިވެހ Divehi) is the official language of the Maldives. A dialect of it is also spoken on Minicoy in the Lakshadweep islands of India, where it is known as Mahal (މަހަލް महल्) or Mahl.

Pronunciation guide

Dhivehi romanization is somewhat inconsistent. This phrasebook uses the Malé (Nasiri) Latin standard used in the Maldives, with SAMT (Indic) spellings in parentheses when different.

Vowels

Vowels in Thaana script is written using diacritics. Vowels are displayed with an alifu (އ) carrier

Thaana Script	Transliteration	Equivalent/Comments
އަ	a	As in up
އާ	aa (ā)	As in arm
އި	i	As in if
އީ	ee (ī)	As in eel
އު	u	As in put
އޫ	oo (ū)	As in cartoon
އެ	e	As in egg
އޭ	ey (ē)	As in hey!
އޮ	o	As in of
އޯ	oa (ō)	As in born

Consonants

There are 24 consonants in Thaana script with additional 13 consonants used to transliterate Arabic words and 1 consonant which is used to transliterate English words with voiced palato-alveolar fricative (ʒ) sound. Making it altogether 38 consonants. The letter alifu has no sound value of its own and is used for three different purposes: It can act as a carrier for a vowel with no preceding consonant, that is, a word-initial vowel or the second part of a diphthong; when it carries a sukun, it indicates gemination (lengthening) of the following consonant; and if alifu+sukun occurs at the end of a word, it indicates that the word ends in /eh/. Gemination of nasals, however, is indicated by nūnu+sukun preceding the nasal to be geminated.

Thaana Script	Nasiri Romanization	Equivalents/ Comments	IPA value
ހ	h	As in hat	h
ށ	sh	As in motion	ʃ
ނ	n	As in land	n̪
ރ	r	As right	ɾ
ބ	b	As in ball	b
ޅ	lh	Retroflex lateral approximant like in letter but with the tunge curled back when saying L	ɭ
ކ	k	As in consonant	k
އ	Varies	See above	ø
ވ	v	As in van	ʋ
މ	m	As in monkey	m
ފ	f	As in fish	f
ދ	dh	As in daal (hindi)	d̪
ތ	th	As in teeth	t̪
ލ	l	As in tilt	l
ގ	g	As in great	g
ޏ	gn	As in canyon or lasagna	ɲ
ސ	s	As in selfish	s̺
ޑ	d	As in fraud	ɖ
ޒ	z	As in zebra	z̺
ޓ	t	As in tiger, but with the tongue curled back	ʈ
ޔ	y	As in yak	j
ޕ	p	As in past	p
ޖ	j	As in jam	dʒ
ޗ	ch	As in chair	tʃ

Common Diphthongs

Diphthongs are displayed with an alifu (އ) carrier

Thaana Script	Transliteration	Equivalent/Comments
އައި	ai	As in Light (mostly in names) or in pan (in dhivehi words)
އައު	au/aa	As in out/arm

Phrase list

Some phrases in this phrasebook still need to be translated. If you know anything about this language, you can help by plunging forward and translating a phrase.

Basics

Common signs OPEN hulhuvaafa (ހުޅުވާފަ) / hulhuvaa (ހުޅުވާ) CLOSED bandhu (ބަންދު) / bandhukoffa (ބަންދުކޮށްފަ) ENTRANCE vanna (dhoru) (ވަންނަ) EXIT nikunna (dhoru) (ނުކުންނ) PUSH koppaala (ކޮށްޕާލާ) PULL dhamaalaa (ދަމާލާ) TOILET faakhaanaa (ފާޚާނާ) MEN firihenun (ފިރިހެން) WOMEN anhenun (އަންހެން) FORBIDDEN manaa (މަނާ) WARNING inzaaru (އިންޒާރު)

In Dhivehi, we usually tend to leave out subjects such as I, you and me. The sentence remains and means the same with or without said subject.

Hello (formal)

assalaamu alaikum (އައްސަލާމު ޢަލައިކުމް)

Hello (informal)

maruhabaa (މަރުޙަބާ) (can also mean welcome)

How are you?

haalu kihineh? (ހާލުކިހިނެއް؟)

How are you? (informal)

kihineh? (ކިހިނެއް؟)

Fine, thank you

ran'galhu, shukuriyyaa. (ޝުކުރިއްޔާ)

What is your name?

kon nameh kiyanee? (ކޮން ނަމެއް ކިޔަނީ؟)

My name is ______

aharenge namakee ______. ( ._____އަހަރެންގެ ނަމަކީ)

Nice to meet you

Baddhalu vee thee varah ufaavejje. (ބައްދަލުވީތީ ވަރަށް އުފާވެއްޖެ)

Please (adverb)

Aadheys koffa (އާދޭސް ކޮށްފަ)

Thank you

shukuriyyaa (ޝުކުރިއްޔާ)

You're welcome

maruhabaa (މަރުޙަބާ)

Yes

Aan (ްއާނ):polite: labba (ލައްބަ) or aadhe (އާދެ)

No

Noon (ނޫން)

Excuse me (getting attention)

Ma'aaf kurey (މަޢާފް ކުރޭ)

Excuse me (begging pardon)

Ma'aaf kurey (މަޢާފް ކުރޭ)

I'm sorry

Ma'aaf kurey (މަޢާފް ކުރޭ)

Goodbye

vakivelan (ވަކިވެލަން)

Goodbye (informal)

dhanee (ދަނީ)

I can't speak Dhivehi [well]

Mashakah [rangalhah] dhivehin vaahaka eh nudhekkayne ( މަށަކަށް [ރަނގަޅަށް] ދިވެހިން ވާހަކައެއް ނުދެއްކޭނެ) : If you are talking to a stranger, or someone of higher status than you, rather than "mashakah", use "alhugandakah". It is the more formal way of referring to "I".: You may also leave out the word "mashakah" completely.

Do you speak English?

Kaley ingireysin vaahaka dhakkantha? (ކަލޭ އިނގިރޭސިން ވާހަކަ ދައްކަންތަ؟): "kaley", meaning you, is very informal and not commonly used when talking to strangers and people of higher standing. Rather, when speaking to strangers, we completely omit the word. With people of higher stadning, we use "thibeyfulhaa" (ތިބޭފުޅާ)

Is there someone here who speaks English?

mithaa ingireysin vaahaka dhakkan ingey meehaku eba huri tha? (މިތާ އިންގިރޭސިން ވާހަކަ ދައްކަން އިންގޭ މީހަކު އެބަ ހުރި ތަ؟)

Help!

Eheevedhee! (!އެހީވެދީ)

Look out!

Balaa bala! (!ބަލާބަލަ)

Good morning.

Baajjaveri hendhuneh. (ބާއްޖަވެރި ހެނދުނެއް)

Good evening.

Baajjaveri haveereh. (ބާއްޖަވެރި ހަވީރެއް)

Good night.

Baajaveri regadeh. (ބާއްޖަވެރި ރޭގަނޑެއް)

Good night (to sleep)

Ufaaveri nidhumeh. (އުފާވެރި ނިދުމެއް)

I don't understand.

Ahannakah neyn'gunu. (އަހަންނަކަށް ނޭނގުނު)

Where is the toilet?

Faakhanaa kobaithoa? (ފާޚާނަ ކޮބައިތޯ؟)

Questions

where?

konthaaku? (ކޮންތާކު؟)

why?

keevve? (ކީއްވެ؟)

who?

kaaku? (ކާކު؟)

what?

koan'cheh? (ކޯންެޗެއް؟)

there

ethaa (އެތާ)

here

mithaa (މިތާ)

this

mi (މި)

that

e (އެ)

Problems

Leave me alone.

aharen ekani dhookollaa . (aharen ekani haalah dhookollaa)

Don't touch me!

aharen gaiga aiy nulaa (އަހަރެން ގައިގަ އަތްނުލާ)

I'll call the police.

aharen fuluhun nah gulhaanan. (...)

Police!

sifain! (fuluhun)

Stop! Thief!

huttuvaa! vageh! (...)

I need your help.

ahanah thibaage eheetheri kan beynun. (...)

It's an emergency.

mee kulli haalatheh. (...)

I'm lost.

aharen miulhenee gelligen. (...)

I lost my bag.

aharen ge dhabas gelije. (...)

I lost my wallet.

aharenge laari dhabas gellije. (...)

I'm sick.

aharen miulhenee balive. (...)

I've been injured.

aharennah haanika vejje . (...)

I need a doctor.

aharen doctareh beynun. (...)

Can I use your phone?

ahannah thi phoanu beynun kollevi dhaane tha? (...)

Numbers

1

one (Ekeh)

2

two (Dheyeh)

3

three (Thineh)

4

four (Hathareh)

5

five (Faheh)

6

six (Hayeh)

7

seven (Hatheh)

8

eight (Asheh)

9

nine (Nuvaeh)

10

ten (Dhihaeh)

11

eleven (Egaara)

12

twelve (Baara)

13

thirteen (Theyra)

14

fourteen (Saadha)

15

fifteen (Fanara)

16

sixteen (Soalha)

17

seventeen (Sathaara)

18

eighteen (Ashaara)

19

nineteen (Navaara)

20

twenty (Vihi)

21

twenty one (Ekaavees)

22

twenty two (Baavees)

23

twenty three (Theyvees)

30

thirty (Thirees)

40

forty (Saalhees)

50

fifty (Fansaas)

60

sixty (Fasdholhos)

70

seventy (Haiyydhiha)

80

eighty (Addiha)

90

ninety (Nuvadhiha)

100

one hundred (Satheyka)

200

two hundred (Dhuisaththa)

300

three hundred (Thin Satheyka)

1000

one thousand (Enhaas')

2000

two thousand (Dhehaas)

1,000,000

one million (Ehmilian)

1,00,000

one hundred thousand (Eh lakka)

1,000,000,000

one thousand million in UK, one billion in USA

1,000,000,000,000

one billion in UK, one trillion in USA

number _____ (train, bus, etc.)

number _____ (...)

half

ehbai / Dhebai kulhah ehbai

less

madhu

more

gina

Time

What time is it?

Gadin kihaa vareh?

now

mihaaru [މިހާރު]

later

fahun [ފަހުން]

before

kurin [ކުރިން]

morning

hendhunu [ހެންދުނު]

afternoon

mendhuru [މެންދުރު]

evening

haveeru [ހަވީރު]

night

reygandu [ރޭގަންޑު]

midnight

dhanvaru [ދަންވަރު]

Clock time

(it is) one o'clock AM

dhanvaru ekeh jahaifi

(it is) two o'clock AM

dhanvaru dheyh jahaifi

noon

mendhuru

one o'clock PM

mendhuru ekeh jahaifi / mendhurun amburaa ekeh jahaifi

two o'clock PM

mendhuru dehyh jahaifi / mendhurun amburaa dheyeh jahaifi

midnight

mendhan / dhanvaru (މެންދަން / ދަންވަރު)

Duration

_____ minute(s)

_____ minetu (...)

_____ hour(s)

_____ gadi-iru

_____ day(s)

_____ dhuvas

_____ week(s)

_____ hafthaa

_____ month(s)

_____ mas

_____ year(s)

_____ aharu

Days

today

miadhu (މިއަދު)

yesterday

iyye (އިއްޔެ)

day before yesterday

iyye noon kuree dhuvas

tomorrow

maadhan

day after tomorrow

maadhan noon aneh dhuvas

this week

mi hafthaa

last week

midhiya hafthaa

next week

anna hafthaa

Sunday

aadhittha dhuvas ( އާދިއްތަ ދުވަސް)

Monday

hoama dhuvas (ހޯމަ ދުވަސް)

Tuesday

angaara dhuvas (އަންގާރަ ދުވަސް)

Wednesday

budha dhuvas (ބުދަ ދުވަސް)

Thursday

buraasfathi dhuvas (ބުރާސްފަތި ދުވަސް)

Friday

hukuru dhuvas (ހުކުރު ދުވަސް)

Saturday

honihiru dhuvas (ހޮނިހިރު ދުވަސް)

Months

January

Janavaree (...)

February

Feburuvaree (...)

March

Maarichu (...)

April

Epreel (...)

May

Mey (...)

June

Joon (...)

July

Julai (...)

August

Ogastu (...)

September

Septembaru (...)

October

Oktoobaru (...)

November

Novembaru (...)

December

Disembaru (...)

Writing time and date

Give some examples how to write clock times and dates if it differs from English.

Colors

black

(kalhu)

white

(hudhu)

gray / silver

(alhi/rihi)

red

(raiy)

blue

(noo)

yellow

(reendhoo)

green

(fehi)

orange

(niyadhuru/ naaringu)

purple

(dhambu)

brown

(garagui/ mushi)

Pink

(fiyaathoshi/ ފިޔާތޮށި)

Transportation

How much is a ticket to _____?

_____ ah ticket eh kihaavara kah? (...)

One ticket to _____, please.

_____ ah ticket eh, please. (...)

Where does this go?

meethi dhany kon thaakah? (...)

Where is the boat to _____?

______ ah dhaa boatu kobaa? (...)

Does this boat stop in _____?

_____ah mi boat hutaa tha? (...)

What time are we leaving?

Aharemen dhanee kon irakun? (...)

How long does it take?

Kihaa ireh nagaanee? (...)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?

kehene aharen _____ ah dhanee? (...)

...the airport?

...airport ah / vaige bandharah? (...)

...downtown?

...rashuthere ah? (...)

...the youth hostel?

...zuvaanunge marukazah? (...)

...the _____ hotel?

..._____ hotalah? (...)

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? (...)

Where are there a lot of ______?

konthaaku hunnaanee emme gina _______ ? / emme gina ______ hunnaanee kon thaaku? (...)

...hotels?

...hotaa? (...)

...restaurants?

...restaurants? (...)

...bars?

...bars? (...)

...sites to see?

...balaane thanthan? (...)

Can you show me on the map?

mi chaatun aharen dhakaba? (...)

street

magu

Turn left.

vaathah eburey / vaathah alhaa

Turn right.

kanaathah eburey / kanaathah alhaa

left

vaaiy

right

kanaaiy

straight ahead

kuri ah / huri gothah

towards the _____dhimaalah _____ (...)

past the _____

_____ dhookohffa (...)

before the _____

kuri mathinn _____ (...)

Watch for the _____.

ethanah balamun / _____ ah balamun

intersection

gulheythan / bedheythan / dhimaavaathan (...)

north

Uthuru (...)

south

Dhekunu (...)

east

irumathi (...)

west

hulhangu (...)

Taxi

Taxi!

Teksee! (...)

Take me to _____, please.

aharen gengos faanan tha _____, please. (...)

How much does it cost to get to _____?

ethanah dhaan kihaavareh nagaa tha _____?

Take me there, please.

ethanah gengos dheefanan tha?

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?

Evves kotarieh liben ebahuri tha? (...)

How much is a room for one person/two people?

ekakah/ dhemeehunah kotari huree kihaavarkah tha?/ kotari kuli kihaavarakah

Does the room come with _____

_____ Kotariaai eku veytha? (...)

...bedsheets?

Edhu fothigan'du? (...)

...a bathroom?

Faahaanaa? (...)

...a telephone?

Foanu? (...)

...a TV?

TV ? (...)

May I see the room first?

Furathama ahannah kotari balaa levidhaanetha? (...)

Do you have anything quieter?

Miah vure hama himeyn thaneh neiytha? (...)

...bigger?

Bodu? (...)

...cleaner?

Saafu thaahiru? (...)

...cheaper?

Agu heyo? (...)

OK, I'll take it.

Massala eh ney, aharen mikotari nagaanan. (...)

I will stay for _____ night(s).

Aharen hunnaanee _____ rey vandhen. (...)

Can you suggest another hotel?

ahannah ehen hotaleh bunedheefaanantha? (...)

Do you have a safe?

Thijooree eh hureytha? (...)

...lockers?

...lockers? (...)

Is breakfast/supper included?

Hedhunuge naasthaa/reygadu keumaai ekkohtha? (...)

What time is breakfast/supper?

Kaa gadi thakakee kobaa? (...)

Please clean my room.

Kotari saafukoh dhevvaa. (...)

Can you wake me at _____?

ahannah govaa dheefaanantha _____ iru? (...)

I want to check out.

Aharen mithanun dhaan beynun (...)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?

Kaley, Amerikaa/Australia/Kenedaa ge dollaru gaboolu kurantha? (...)

Do you accept British pounds?

Kaley, In'gireysi Pound gaboolu kurantha? (...)

Do you accept credit cards?

Kaley, credit card gaboolu kurantha? (...)

Can you change money for me?

Kaley ahannah faisaa maarukoh dheefaanantha? (...)

Where can I get money changed?

Konthaakun, aharen faisaa maarukuraanee? (...)

Can you change a traveler's check for me?

Kaley, ahannah Travellers chequeh maarukoh dheefaanantha? (...)

Where can I get a traveler's check changed?

Konthaakun, Aharen Travellers chequeh maaru kuraanee? (...)

What is the exchange rate?

Faisaa maaru kuraa reytakee kobaa? (...)

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?

Kobaa faisaa nagaa mashinu(ATM)? (...)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.

A table for one person/two people, please. (...)

Can I look at the menu, please?

Ahannah menu balaalevidhaanetha? (...)

Can I look in the kitchen?

Badhige there balaalevidhaanetha? (...)

Is there a house specialty?

Mithanuge khaassa keumeh veytha? (...)

Is there a local specialty?

Is there a local specialty? (...)

I'm a vegetarian.

Ahannakee mas nukaa meeheh. (...)

I don't eat pork.

Aharen ooru maheh nukan. (...)

I don't eat beef.

Aharen geri maheh nukan. (...)

I only eat kosher food.

Aharen hama ekani kanee kosher (Yahoodhee keumeh) kaanaa. (...)

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)

Can you make it "lite", please? (...)

fixed-price meal

fixed-price meal (...)

a la carte

a la carte (...)

breakfast

Hedhunuge naasthaa (...)

lunch

Mendhuru keun (...)

tea (meal)

Sai (keun) (...)

supper

supper (...)

I want _____.

Aharen beynun _____. (...)

I want a dish containing _____.

I want a dish containing _____. (...)

chicken

Kukulhumas (...)

beef

Gerimas(...)

fish

Mas (...)

ham

ham (...)

sausage

soseju (...)

cheese

cheese (...)

eggs

Kukulhu Bis (...)

salad

Satani (...)

(fresh) vegetables

(Thaazaa) Tharukaaree (...)

(fresh) fruit

(Thaazaa) Meyvaa (...)

bread

Paan (...)

toast

toast (...)

noodles

noodulus (...)

rice

Baiy (...)

beans

Tholhi (...)

May I have a glass of _____?

Ahanna ______ thatteh libidhaane tha? (...)

May I have a cup of _____?

Ahanna _____ thatteh libidhaane tha? (...)

May I have a bottle of _____?

Ahanna _____ fulhi eh libidhaane tha? (...)

coffee

coffee (...)

tea (drink)

Sai (Buin) (...)

juice

Joos (...)

(bubbly) water

Fen (...)

water

Fen (...)

beer

beer (...)

red/white wine

red/white wine (...)

May I have some _____?

_____ libidhaanetha? (...)

salt

Lonu (...)

black pepper

Aseymirus (...)

butter

bataru (...)

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

Excuse me, waiter? (...)

I'm finished.

Aharen nimmijje. (...)

It was delicious.

Varah meeru. (...)

Please clear the plates.

Thashi thah nagaa dheebala. (...)

The check, please.

Check génes dheebal. (...)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?

Mithaaga raa vihkan tha? (...)

Is there table service?

Is there table service? (...)

A beer/two beers, please.

Biareh/dhe Biaru, libidhaanetha. (...)

A glass of red/white wine, please.

A glass of red/white wine, please. (...)

A pint, please.

eh pint. (...)

A bottle, please.

eh fulhi please. (...)

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.

_____ and _____, please. (...)

whiskey

whiskey (...)

vodka

voduka (...)

rum

rum (...)

water

fenn (...)

club soda

club soda (...)

tonic water

tonic water (...)

orange juice

orange juice (...)

Coke (soda)

Coke (...)

Do you have any bar snacks?

Do you have any bar snacks? (...)

One more, please.

One more, please. (...)

Another round, please.

Another round, please. (...)

When is closing time?

bandhu kuranee konirakun? (...)

Cheers!

Cheers! (...)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?

Meetheege aharenge sizuge ebahuritha?(...)

How much is this?

Meege agu kihaavareh? (...)

That's too expensive.

Thi maa agu bodu! (...)

Would you take _____?

"Nangavaa nantha ........? "nagaanantha" (...)

expensive

Agu bodu (...)

cheap

Agu heyo (...)

I can't afford it.

Aharen athaku neiy thi ganna varakah rufiyaleh(...)

I don't want it.

Aharen thiyeh beynumeh nun (...)

You're cheating me.

Kaley Ahannah olhuvaalaneetha? (...)

I'm not interested.

Aharenge shauguveri kameh neiy (..)

OK, I'll take it.

Massalaeh ney aharen thi gendhaanan (...)

Can I have a bag?

Kothalheh libidhaanetha? (...)

Do you ship (overseas)?

Ehen Gaumuthakah kan;du magun fonuvaa dhentha? (...)

I need...

Aharen beynun (...)

...toothpaste.

Dhaiy ugulhaa beys. (...)

...a toothbrush.

Dhaiy ugulhaa burus. (...)

...tampons.

...tampons. (...)

...soap.

Saiboani. (...)

...shampoo.

...shampoo. (...)

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)

Thadhu kan'duvaa beys. (...)

...cold medicine.

Aridhafuhuge beys. (...)

...stomach medicine.

Badah thadhuvaathee kaa beys. (...)

...a razor.

...Reyzaru. (...)

...an umbrella.

Kuda. (...)

...sunblock lotion.

Avi bahdhaa loashan. (...)

...a postcard.

...Postcardeh. (...)

...postage stamps.

isteympu. (...)

...batteries.

Beteri. (...)

...writing paper.

Liyaa karudhaas. (...)

...a pen.

Galameh. (...)

...English-language books.

In'gireysi foythah. (...)

...English-language magazines.

In'gireysi Majallaathah. (...)

...an English-language newspaper.

...In'gireysi nooheh. (...)

...an English-English dictionary.

...In'gireysi basfotheh. (...)

Driving

I want to rent a car.

Aharen beynun vanee Kaareh kuyyah hifan(...)

Can I get insurance?

Insurance kurevidhaanetha?(...)

stop (on a street sign)

Huttey (...)

one way

Eh kolhah dhuvvaa mageh (...)

yield

yield (...)

no parking

Park kurun manaa (...)

speed limit

speed limit (...)

gas (petrol) station

gas station (...)

petrol

petrol (...)

diesel

diesel (...)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.

Alhugandu kusheh nukuran. (...)

It was a misunderstanding.

Thee olhumeh. (...)

Where are you taking me?

Alhugandu kon thaakah thigendhanee? (...)

Am I under arrest?

Aharen mihiree hahyarukohfa tha? (...)

I am a or (an) Maldivian/Iraqi/Pakistani/Saudi Arabian citizen.

I am an Maldivian/Iraqi/Pakistani/Saudi Arabian citizen. (Ahannakee dhivehiraahjege /iraquge/pakistaanuge/saudi arabiyaage Raiyyitheh...)

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.

I need to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. (...)

I want to talk to a lawyer.

I want to talk to a lawyer. (Aharen Qaanoonee Vakeelakaa vaahaka dhakkan beynun)

Can I just pay a fine now?

Can I just pay a fine now? (Aharennah Joorimanaa akun mikan ninmidhaanetha...)

Learning more

This is where you'd give more information on learning the language, such as links to online courses or textbooks, or suggestions for in-person courses to take, or pointers to a dictionary or two.

How do you say _____ ?

Kihineh bunaanee _____ ? (...)

What is this/that called?

miah/eah kiyany keekay? (...)

Learning more

• English-Dhivehi-English Dictionary (PDF, 157 pages)