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	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

Diphthongs are displayed with an alifu (އ) carrier

Thaana Script	Transliteration	Equivalent/Comments
އައި	ai	As in Light
އައު	au	As in out

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)

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

where? 

kobaa?

why? 

keevve?

who? 

kaaku?

what? 

koacheh?

there 

ethaa

here 

mithaa

this 

mi

that 

e

Problems

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

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 ireh?

now 

mihaaru

later 

fahun

before 

kurin

morning 

hendhunu

afternoon 

mendhuru

evening 

haveeru

night 

reygandu

Clock time

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

_____ minute(s) 

_____ minute(s) (...)

_____ hour(s) 

_____ gadi-iru

_____ day(s) 

_____ dhuvas

_____ week(s) 

_____ hafthaa

_____ month(s) 

_____ mas

_____ year(s) 

_____ aharu

Days

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

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

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

Colors

black 

(kalhu)

white 

(hudhu)

gray 

(alhi)

red 

(raiy)

blue 

(noo)

yellow 

(reendhoo)

green 

(fehi)

orange 

(niyadhuru)

purple 

(dhambu)

brown 

(garagui)

Transportation

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

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

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

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

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 

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

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 ........? (...)

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

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)