Animals

1. މަސް

   mas

   Fish

   Usage

   Both the animal and the food; the centre of the Maldivian diet

2. ކަންނެލި

   kanneli

   Yellowfin tuna

   Usage

   The fish that carries Maldivian fishing and cooking, traditionally caught pole-and-line

3. މިޔަރު

   miyaru

   Shark

   Usage

   Inside the reef you mostly meet reef sharks, which are not a danger to people. Shark fishing is banned in the Maldives

4. ފެހުރިހި

   fehurihi

   Whale shark

   Usage

   Seen year-round in places like South Ari Atoll. Never touch one; rules limit how close boats may approach

5. މަޑި

   madi

   Ray

   Usage

   Stingrays in the shallows, mantas further out. Shuffle your feet over sand so you do not step on one

6. ކޯމަސް

   koamas

   Dolphin

   Usage

   They appear around boats in the evening; dolphin-watching trips are widely offered

7. ވެލާ

   velaa

   Sea turtle

   Usage

   A protected species: do not touch or chase them, and stay away from nesting individuals. Shell products may not be taken out of the country

8. ކަކުނި

   kakuni

   Crab

   Usage

   Ghost crabs and hermit crabs are everywhere on the sand; they scatter under your feet on a night walk

9. ދޫނި

   dhooni

   Bird

   Usage

   The general word for birds. Note it is not the same word as dhoni, the traditional boat — the vowel marks differ

10. ކާޅު

    kaalhu

    Crow

    Usage

    The bird you see most in Malé and on resort islands; leave food on a terrace and it will be taken

11. ކުކުޅު

    kukulhu

    Chicken

    Usage

    Kept loose on the islands; the same word covers chicken as food

12. ބުޅާ

    bulhaa

    Cat

    Usage

    Plentiful and tame on every island, especially around eating places

13. ކުއްތާ

    kuhthaa

    Dog

    Usage

    Dogs are not kept in the Maldives and you will hardly see one; cats vastly outnumber them

14. ބަކަރި

    bakari

    Goat

    Usage

    A few are kept on some islands; one of the very few livestock animals you will see here

15. މީދާ

    meedhaa

    Rat / mouse

    Usage

    Use it to report one at your lodging

16. ހޯނު

    hoanu

    Gecko

    Usage

    On the walls and ceilings of every room; harmless and it eats mosquitoes

17. މަދިރި

    madhiri

    Mosquito

    Usage

    The insect that matters most to travellers; it spreads dengue, so cover up after dusk and use repellent

18. މެހި

    mehi

    Fly

    Usage

    Comes up when eating outdoors

19. ސޫފި

    soofi

    Insect / bug

    Usage

    A catch-all for small creatures you cannot name; use it to report a bug in your room

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