Adjectives

1. ބޮޑު

   bodu

   Big

   Usage

   For stating a size — clothes or rooms

2. ކުޑަ

   kuda

   Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big — for asking for a smaller size

3. ބަރު

   baru

   Heavy

   Usage

   For the weight of luggage, and as a lead-in to asking for help

4. ލުއި

   lui

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Light in weight — a different word from light meaning bright

5. އަގުބޮޑު

   agubodu

   Expensive

   Usage

   High in price — the opening move when haggling

6. އަގުހެޔޮ

   aguheyo

   Cheap

   Usage

   The opposite of expensive — for asking for something cheaper

7. ހޫނު

   hoonu

   Hot

   Usage

   Hot to the touch — kept separate from hot weather

   Grammar Note

   ހޫނު (hoonu) is hot to the touch; for weather Dhivehi says މޫސުން ހޫނު ("the weather is hot").

8. ފިނި

   fini

   Cold

   Usage

   Cold to the touch — kept separate from cold weather

   Grammar Note

   ފިނި (fini) is cold to the touch; for weather say މޫސުން ފިނި.

9. އާ

   aa

   New

   Usage

   Brand new — also used when asking for a replacement

10. ބާ

    baa

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Old as in worn — never the word to use about a person

    Grammar Note

    ބާ (baa) is for objects; for people use މުސްކުޅި (muskulhi).

11. ޒުވާން

    zuvaan

    Young

    Usage

    About a person's age — a small-talk staple

12. މުސްކުޅި

    muskulhi

    Old (person)

    Usage

    Elderly, about people — a different word from old things

13. ސާފު

    saafu

    Clean

    Usage

    For praising cleanliness, and for praising a view

14. ހަޑި

    hadi

    Dirty

    Usage

    Unclean — the reason you give when asking for a change of room or dishes

15. ރަނގަޅު

    rangalhu

    Good

    Usage

    A positive verdict, also usable to signal agreement

16. ގޯސް

    goas

    Bad

    Usage

    A negative verdict — also used of health and weather

17. ކައިރި

    kairi

    Near

    Usage

    Close by — for checking whether you can walk

18. ދުރު

    dhuru

    Far

    Usage

    Far away — your cue to look for transport

19. އަވަހަށް

    avahah

    Early

    Usage

    Early in time — for first departures and opening hours

    Grammar Note

    އަވަހަށް (avahah) means "early / soon / quickly": it covers both early in time and doing something quickly.

20. ލަހުން

    lahun

    Late

    Usage

    Late in time — for last departures and closing hours

    Grammar Note

    ލަހުން (lahun) is late in time; slow in speed is މަޑުމަޑުން (madumadun).

21. ގިނަ

    gina

    Many

    Usage

    A large amount or number — also used to describe crowds

22. މަދު

    madhu

    Few

    Usage

    A small amount or number — for asking for less of something

23. މޫސުން ހޫނު

    moosun hoonu

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather — learn it separately from hot objects

    Grammar Note

    މޫސުން (moosun) means weather or season — this is how hot weather is expressed.

24. މޫސުން ފިނި

    moosun fini

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather — learn it separately from cold objects

    Grammar Note

    Used for cool or cold weather; in the equatorial Maldives it usually means the cool of the rainy season.

25. ރީތި

    reethi

    Cute

    Usage

    A versatile compliment for people, animals, or things (broadly covers "beautiful / pretty")

26. ސަޅި

    sali

    Cool

    Usage

    Colloquial, youth-oriented word for complimenting someone's or something's appearance

27. މީރު

    meeru

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment to give during a meal

28. ފުރިހަމަ

    furihama

    Amazing

    Usage

    Expresses surprise or admiration (literally "perfect / complete")

29. ހިތްހަމަ ޖެހޭ

    hithama jehey

    Fun

    Usage

    Used to share how enjoyable an experience was (literally "the heart feels content")

30. އިތުރަށް

    ithurah

    More

    Usage

    For asking for a refill or an extra

31. ކުޑަކޮށް

    kudakoh

    Just a little

    Usage

    For asking for less spice or a smaller portion

32. ބައި

    bai

    Half

    Usage

    Shows a quantity; it can also mean "a part", so use it when talking about amounts

33. ހުރިހާ

    hurihaa

    All

    Usage

    For "all of it" — ordering or confirming the whole lot

34. ފުދިއްޖެ

    fudhijje

    That is enough

    Usage

    For stopping someone from pouring or serving more

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