Dhivehi Language Guide
Basics & Important Phrases
Dhivehi sounds exotic and melodic to European ears — a mix of Sinhala, Arabic, and Hindi. The pronunciation is not easy, but Maldivians appreciate every attempt.
Greetings & Politeness
| German | Dhivehi | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Assalaamu alaikum | As-sa-laa-mu a-lai-kum |
| How are you? | Haalu kihineh? | Haa-lu ki-hi-ne? |
| I'm fine | Rangalhu | Ran-gal-hu |
| Thank you | Shukuriyaa | Schu-ku-ri-jaa |
| Please | Aharenge | A-ha-ren-ge |
| Yes | Aan | Aan |
| No | Noon | Nuun |
| Sorry | Ma-aafu kurey | Maa-fu ku-re |
| Goodbye | Vakivelan | Wa-ki-we-lan |
| Welcome | Maruhaba | Ma-ru-ha-ba |
| Good morning | Baajjaveri hendhuneh | Baa-dscha-we-ri hen-du-ne |
| Good night | Baajjaveri reygandeh | Baa-dscha-we-ri ree-gan-de |
Tipp
The magic words are "Shukuriyaa" (Thank you) and "Reethi" (beautiful). Say "Shukuriyaa" to the boat captain after the ride and "Reethi!" when looking at the sunset — and you've made a friend for life.
Practical Words & Phrases
Food & Drink
| German | Dhivehi | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Fen | Fen |
| Fish | Mas | Mas |
| Food | Kana | Ka-na |
| Rice | Bat | Bat |
| Coconut | Kurumba | Ku-rum-ba |
| Tea | Sai | Sai |
| Delicious! | Meeriu! | Mii-ri-u! |
| The bill, please | Bill genesdheeba | Bill ge-nes-dii-ba |
| I would like to order | Order kuran beynun | Order ku-ran be-nun |
| No chili, please | Mirus nulahva | Mi-rus nu-lah-wa |
On the Move
| German | Dhivehi | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Island | Raa / Fushi | Raa / Fu-schi |
| Boat | Dhoni | Do-ni |
| Beach | Gondu doshuga | Gon-du do-schu-ga |
| Reef/Atoll | Faru / Atholhu | Fa-ru / A-tol-hu |
| How much does this cost? | Kihavareh? | Ki-ha-wa-re? |
| Where is ...? | ... kobaa? | ... ko-baa? |
| Airport | Airport / Vaimatheege bandaru | Airport |
| Mosque | Miskiy | Mis-kii |
| Hospital | Hospital | Hos-pi-tal |
| Police | Fulus | Fu-lus |
Descriptions
| German | Dhivehi | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Beautiful | Reethi | Rii-ti |
| Large | Bodu | Bo-du |
| Small | Kuda | Ku-da |
| Good | Rangalhu | Ran-gal-hu |
| Bad | Goas | Go-as |
| Hot | Hoonuvey | Huu-nu-wee |
| Cold | Fini | Fi-ni |
| Expensive | Agu bodu | A-gu bo-du |
| Slow | Lassun | Las-sun |
| Fast | Bas | Bas |
Numbers & Useful Expressions
Numbers
| Number | Dhivehi | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ekeh | E-ke |
| 2 | Dheyh | De |
| 3 | Thineh | Ti-ne |
| 4 | Hathare | Ha-ta-re |
| 5 | Faheh | Fa-he |
| 6 | Hayeh | Ha-je |
| 7 | Hatheh | Ha-te |
| 8 | Asheh | A-sche |
| 9 | Nuvayeh | Nu-wa-je |
| 10 | Dhihayeh | Di-ha-je |
| 100 | Sateka | Sa-te-ka |
| 1000 | Hahe | Ha-he |
Useful Phrases for Everyday Life
| Situation | Dhivehi | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| While Snorkeling | Miyaru! | Shark! (for information, not fear) |
| While Snorkeling | Velaa! | Turtle! |
| While Eating | Varah meeriu! | Very delicious! |
| Compliment | Varah reethi! | Very beautiful! |
| While Shopping | Agu kudakoh dheebala | Can you lower the price? |
| When Saying Goodbye | Anekka dhekin | See you soon / Goodbye |
| Allow Photo? | Photo nagaa heyyo? | May I take a photo? |
| Help! | Ehbaatheri vejje! | I need help! |
Understanding Place Names
Dhivehi Syllables in Place Names
Knowing the meaning of the most common syllables allows you to "read" Maldivian place names like a map:
| Syllable | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -fushi | Island | Soneva Fushi (Soneva Island), Kurumba (Coconut Island) |
| -finolhu | Sandbank | Finolhu (the Sandbank Island) |
| -huraa | Rock / rocky island | Thulusdhoo |
| -dhoo / -dhoo | Channel / passage | Vaadhoo, Thulusdhoo |
| -male | Main place / center | Malé (the capital), Hulhumalé |
| kandu | Channel (atoll passage) | Fotteyo Kandu, Miyaru Kandu |
| thila | Underwater pinnacle | Maaya Thila, Nassimo Thila |
| giri | Shallow reef top | Fenfushi Giri |
| faru | Reef / ring reef | Vabbinfaru |
| bodu | Large | Bodufushi (large island) |
| kuda | Small | Kudafushi (small island) |
| hulhu | Reclaimed / filled | Hulhumalé (reclaimed Malé) |
| gan | Large inhabited island | Gan (Addu), Gan (Laamu) |
The Thaana Script
The Thaana script (ތާނަ) is one of the youngest actively used scripts in the world — developed in the 18th century, presumably from a mix of Arabic numerals and local elements. It is written from right to left (like Arabic) and has 24 consonants and 7 vowels.
The first nine consonants of Thaana are derived from the Arabic numerals 1–9 — a clever system that both monks and traders could master. The script looks elegant and gives signs, menus, and boat hulls in the Maldives their distinctive visual character.
A few recognizable words in Thaana:
- ދިވެހި = Dhivehi (the language)
- މާލެ = Malé (the capital)
- ޝުކުރިއްޔާ = Shukuriyaa (Thank you)
Tipp
The word "Atoll" comes from Dhivehi (Atholhu) — one of the few Dhivehi words that has entered international usage. The next time you use the word "Atoll," you'll know: You're speaking Dhivehi!
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