Basic Words

1. އާނ

   aan

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic yes. Often enough on its own to keep a transaction moving

2. ނޫން

   noon

   No

   Usage

   The basic no. Pair it with a head shake to make refusal unmistakable

3. ދެއްވާ

   dhevvaa

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request, including when you order by pointing at something

   Grammar Note

   Dhivehi has no standalone word for "please"; politeness comes from the -ދެއްވާ ending on the verb. ދެއްވާ alone works as "please give".

4. ޝުކުރިއްޔާ

   shukuriyyaa

   Thank you

   Usage

   For anything you receive or any help you get. The single most-used word of a trip

5. މަޢާފުކުރައްވާ

   maaafukuravvaa

   Excuse me

   Usage

   To get a stranger's or staff member's attention, or to squeeze past someone

6. ވަރަށް ބޮޑަށް މާފުކުރޭ

   varah bodah maafukurey

   Sorry

   Usage

   An actual apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake, not for getting attention

7. މައްސަލައެއް ނެތް

   massalaeh neiy

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Both "no harm done" when someone apologises and a soft "no thanks" to an offer

8. އަހަންނަށް ނޭނގުނު

   ahannah neyngunu

   I don't understand

   Usage

   When you did not follow what was said. It usually prompts the other person to rephrase

9. އެނގިއްޖެ

   engijje

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms the explanation landed. Clearer than just nodding

10. ނިމިއްޖެ

    nimijje

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Signals a meal, payment or procedure is complete — also used to have plates cleared

11. މަޑުކޮށްލައްވާ

    madukoshlavvaa

    Please wait

    Usage

    To ask someone to hold on while you dig out luggage or paperwork

12. އިރުކޮޅެއް

    irukolheh

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A lighter, shorter hold-on for a brief pause at a till or before a photo

13. ބޮޑު މީހަކަށް އެކެއް

    bodu meehakah ekeh

    One adult, please

    Usage

    For ticket desks and entrances where adult and child prices differ

14. ބުކިންއެއް ނެތް

    bukineh neiy

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    The first thing to say when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking

15. ބުކިންއެއް އެބައޮތް

    bukineh ebaoiy

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it on arrival, then give your name to speed things up

16. އަހަންނަށް އެހީވެދީ

    ahannah eheeveydhee

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or an emergency. It is fine to say this loudly

17. އަނެއްކާވެސް ބުނެދީ

    aneikkaaves bunedhee

    Once more, please

    Usage

    When you missed what was said — handy for prices and room numbers

18. މަޑުމަޑުން ވާހަކަ ދައްކާ

    madumadun vaahaka dhakkaa

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speed is the problem. Works well combined with "once more"

19. ކުޑަކޮށް ވާހަކަ ދެއްކޭ

    kudakoh vaahaka dhekkey

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Sets expectations early so the other person switches to simpler wording

20. އިނގިރޭސި ދައްކަން އެނގޭތަ؟

    ingireysi dhakkan engeytha?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when communication stalls. Usually works at hotels and airports

21. މީތި

    meethi

    This one

    Usage

    For something right in your hand

22. ތީތި

    theethi

    That one (near you)

    Usage

    For something next to the person you are speaking to

23. އޭތި

    eythi

    That one (over there)

    Usage

    For something away from both of you

24. މިތާ

    mithaa

    Here

    Usage

    Use it while pointing at a map or a spot

25. ތިތާ

    thithaa

    There (near you)

    Usage

    For where the other person is

26. އެތާ

    ethaa

    Over there

    Usage

    For a place away from both of you

27. އަހަރެން

    aharen

    I / me

    Usage

    The standard word for referring to yourself

28. ތިޔަ ބޭފުޅާ

    thiya beyfulhaa

    You (polite)

    Usage

    The polite second person; travellers should avoid "kaley", which is rude

29. އެކުގައި

    ekugai

    Together

    Usage

    For saying you are with someone, or want to sit together

30. މިހާރުން މިހާރަށް

    mihaarun mihaarah

    Right now

    Usage

    The set phrase for conveying urgency

31. އެކަކު

    ekaku

    One person

    Usage

    For giving a headcount at a restaurant or when booking a boat

32. ދެމީހުން

    dhemeehun

    Two people

    Usage

    For giving a headcount at a restaurant or when booking a boat

33. ތިން މީހުން

    thin meehun

    Three people

    Usage

    For giving a headcount at a restaurant or when booking a boat

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