The Language of the Maldives is strikingly similar to Sinhala, the language of Sri Lanka. You might notice many phrases or words that were seemingly lifted straight from the Hindi language as well.

The Basics

If you wish to greet someone, you can say ‘asalaamu alaikum’, which is the standard Arabic. If you wish to ask someone ‘how are you doing?’, then it would be ‘haalu kihineh’ in a formal situation, or simply ‘kihineh’ in a more light-hearted setting. ‘I’m fine thank you’, would be ‘Ran’galhu, shukuriyaa’.

Travel-Related Phrases

If you wish to know if someone speaks English: ‘Ingireysin vaahaka dhakkan ingeytha?’. If you wish to ask for the time, you could use the phrase ‘Gadin kihaa ireh?’. When asking for directions, you could inquire with “Kehene aharen (insert place) ah dhanee?”.

Accommodation Related

If you wish to ask ‘does your hotel have rooms available?’ then go with “Evves kotarieh liben ebahuri tha?”. Although you probably won’t need to use it in a Maldives luxury resort such as the likes of Milaidhoo Maldives.

Safety

If you want to find a doctor, you can say “paharen doctor eh beynun”. Should an emergency occur, and you wish to communicate it, you can say “mee kulli haalatheh”.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+