Greetings

1. އައްސަލާމު އަލައިކުމް

   as-sa-laa-mu a-lai-kum

   Hello / Peace be upon you (Islamic greeting)

   Usage

   The standard greeting in Maldives. Widely used as the country is predominantly Muslim

   Grammar Note

   Dhivehi uses the Thaana script (ތާނަ), a unique RTL script invented in the Maldives. Many loanwords from Arabic and Sanskrit. This greeting is from Arabic. The response is "wa-alaikumus-salaam."

2. ކިހިނެއްތަ؟

   ki-hi-ne-tha?

   How are you?

   Usage

   Common question for acquaintances and friends

   Grammar Note

   Thaana script is read right to left. The suffix "tha" creates a question. Dhivehi often forms questions with sentence-final particles.

3. ވަރަށް ރަނގަޅު

   va-ras ran-ga-lu

   Very well / Very good

   Usage

   Used as a reply to "how are you?"

   Grammar Note

   "Varas" is a commonly used intensifier adverb. "Rangalu" may have Sanskrit origins. Thaana has 24 basic letters (not counting the extra letters for Arabic loanwords) and developed uniquely in the Maldives.

4. ޝުކުރިއްޔާ

   shu-ku-riy-yaa

   Thank you

   Usage

   The most common expression of gratitude

   Grammar Note

   Derived from Arabic "shukr" (gratitude). As a Muslim nation, Dhivehi retains many Arabic loanwords in everyday speech.

5. މަޢާފުކުރޭ

   ma-aa-fu ku-rey

   Sorry / Excuse me / Forgive me

   Usage

   Used for apologies and to get someone's attention

   Grammar Note

   "Kurey" is the imperative form of "kurun" (to do). Dhivehi forms imperatives through verb ending changes.

6. ނަމަކީ ކޮބާ؟

   na-ma-kee ko-baa?

   What is your name?

   Usage

   Used when meeting someone for the first time

   Grammar Note

   Dhivehi has rich suffixal morphology. "kee" marks the topic. "Kobaa" is a versatile question word meaning both "what" and "where."

7. އަހަރެންގެ ނަމަކީ ...

   a-ha-ren-ge na-ma-kee ...

   My name is...

   Usage

   Self-introduction. Replace "..." with your name

   Grammar Note

   First person: "aharen" (informal) vs "alugandu" (polite). Possessive uses suffix "ge." Word order: subject + possessive + noun.

8. ވަދެވަޑައިގަންނަވާ

   va-de-va-daa-i-gan-na-vaa

   Welcome

   Usage

   Used at hotels and establishments to welcome guests

   Grammar Note

   Dhivehi has an honorific system; verbs take respectful suffixes. "Vadaaigannava" is the honorific form of "vadey" (come in).

9. ދިވެހި ވާހަކަ ދައްކޭތަ؟

   di-ve-hi vaa-ha-ka dak-key-tha?

   Can you speak Dhivehi?

   Usage

   Used to check language ability

   Grammar Note

   "Dhivehi" means "islanders" and relates to the country name (Dhivehi Raajje). Thaana script developed independently, though influenced by Arabic script.

10. ދަނީ، ފެނިލާނެ

    da-nee, fe-ni-laa-ne

    Goodbye, see you later

    Usage

    Casual farewell between friends and acquaintances

    Grammar Note

    Dhivehi marks tense through verb suffixes. "Dhanee" is present progressive. Islamic expressions like "Allah yowsaluk" are also used in farewells.

11. ބައްދަލުވެ ހިތްހަމަ ޖެހިއްޖެ

    bad-da-lu-ve hit-ha-ma je-hij-je

    It was a pleasure to meet you

    Usage

    Said at the end of a first meeting

    Grammar Note

    "Hit" (heart) frequently appears in compound words. "Jehijje" marks completion. Dhivehi has a complex aspect system with multiple forms.

12. ތި ރަށް ވަރަށް ރީތި

    thi ras va-ras ree-thi

    This island is very beautiful

    Usage

    Conversation starter for tourists visiting Maldives

    Grammar Note

    "ރަށް" means "island" in Dhivehi (commonly used for the inhabited islands of the Maldives). In this sentence the adjective "ރީތި" comes after the noun "ރަށް" and works as the predicate.

13. ވަރަށް ހިތްހަމަ ޖެހިއްޖެ

    va-ras hit-ha-ma je-hij-je

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said when parting ways (literally "the heart became very content")

14. ޝުކުރިއްޔާ، ފެނިލާނެ

    shu-ku-riy-yaa, fe-ni-laa-ne

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual way to say goodbye

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