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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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 | 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 | ɲ |
ސ |
s | As in selfish | s̺ |
ޑ |
d | As in fraud | ɖ |
ޒ |
z | As in zebra | z̺ |
ޓ |
t | As in tiger | 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[edit]
Diphthongs are displayed with an alifu (އ) carrier
Thaana Script | Transliteration | Equivalent/Comments |
---|---|---|
އައި |
ai | As in Light |
އައު |
au | As in out |
Stress[edit]
Phrase list[edit]
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[edit]
Common signs
|
- Hello (formal)
- assalaamu alaikum (އައްސަލާމު ޢަލައިކުމް)
- Hello (informal)
- maruhabaa (މަރުޙަބާ)
- How are you?
- haalu kihineh? (ހާލުކިހިނެތް؟)
- How are you? (informal)
- kihineh? (ކިހިނެތް؟)
- 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)
- 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]
- [] ( [])
- Do you speak English?
- ingireysin vaahaka dhakkan ingeytha? (އިނގިރޭސިން ވާހަކަ ދައްކަން އިނގޭތަ؟)
- 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.
- Baajaveri hendhuneh. (ބާއްޖަވެރި ހެނދުނެއް)
- Good evening.
- Baajaveri haveereh. (ބާއްޖަވެރި ހަވީރެއް)
- Good night.
- Baajaveri regadeh. (ބާއްޖަވެރި ރޭގަނޑެއް)
- Good night (to sleep)
- Ufaaveri nidhumeh. (އުފާވެރި ނިދުމެއް)
- I don't understand.
- Ahannakah neyngunu. (އަހަންނަކަށް ނޭންގުނު)
- Where is the toilet?
- Faahanaa kobaitha? (ފާހާނަ ކޮބައިތަ؟)
Questions[edit]
- where?
- kobaa?
- why?
- keevve?
- who?
- kaaku?
- what?
- koacheh?
- there
- ethaa
- here
- mithaa
- this
- mi
- that
- e
Problems[edit]
- Leave me alone.
- aharen ekani dhukoh laa . (aharen ekani haalah dhookollaa)
- Don't touch me!
- aharen gaiga aiy nulaa (...)
- 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[edit]
- 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[edit]
- What time is it?
- Gadin kihaa ireh?
- now
- mihaaru
- later
- fahun
- before
- kurin
- morning
- hendhunu
- afternoon
- mendhuru
- evening
- haveeru
- night
- reygandu
Clock time[edit]
- one o'clock AM
- dhanvaru ekeh jahaifi
- 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
Duration[edit]
- _____ minute(s)
- _____ minute(s) (...)
- _____ hour(s)
- _____ gadi-iru
- _____ day(s)
- _____ dhuvas
- _____ week(s)
- _____ hafthaa
- _____ month(s)
- _____ mas
- _____ year(s)
- _____ aharu
Days[edit]
- today
- miadhu
- yesterday
- iyye
- 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
- Monday
- hoama
- Tuesday
- angaara
- Wednesday
- budha
- Thursday
- buraasfathi
- Friday
- hukuru
- Saturday
- honihiru
Months[edit]
- January
- January (...)
- February
- February (...)
- March
- March (...)
- April
- April (...)
- May
- May (...)
- June
- June (...)
- July
- July (...)
- August
- August (...)
- September
- September (...)
- October
- October (...)
- November
- November (...)
- December
- December (...)
Writing time and date[edit]
Give some examples how to write clock times and dates if it differs from English.
Colors[edit]
- black
- (kalhu)
- white
- (hudhu)
- gray
- (alhi)
- red
- (raiy)
- blue
- (noo)
- yellow
- (reendhoo)
- green
- (fehi)
- orange
- (niyadhuru)
- purple
- (dhambu)
- brown
- (garagui)
Transportation[edit]
- How much is a ticket to _____?
- _____ ah ticket eh kihaavara kah? (...)
- One ticket to _____, please.
- _____ ah ticket eh, please. (...)
- Where does this go?
- mi 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[edit]
- 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 (...)
- uphill
- uphill (...)
- downhill
- downhill (...)
Taxi[edit]
- Taxi!
- Taxi! (...)
- 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[edit]
- 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?
- 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?
- Furatham 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?
- Kaley 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[edit]
- 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[edit]
- 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
- sausage (...)
- 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[edit]
- 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[edit]
- 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 ........? (...)
- expensive
- Agu bodu (...)
- cheap
- Agu heyo (...)
- I can't afford it.
- Ahannakah nuganeveyne thieh? (...)
- I don't want it.
- Aharen thiyeh beynumeh nun (...)
- You're cheating me.
- Kaley Ahannah olhuvaalaneetha? (...)
- I'm not interested.
- Aharen shauguveri eh nun (..)
- 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[edit]
- 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[edit]
- 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[edit]
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[edit]
- English-Dhivehi-English Dictionary [dead link] (PDF, 157 pages)