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
Stress
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 ireh?
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)
_____ minutu (...)
_____ 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
Monday
hoama
Tuesday
angaara
Wednesday
budha
Thursday
buraasfathi
Friday
hukuru
Saturday
honihiru
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)
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?
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?
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
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 ........? (...)
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? (...)
