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!
