Basic Nouns

1. ފެން

   fen

   Water

   Usage

   The basic word for drinking water, understood in any eatery or shop

2. ކާނާ

   kaanaa

   Food

   Usage

   The general word for food — a way into asking where you can eat

3. ފައިސާ

   faisaa

   Money

   Usage

   The base word for anything about paying or changing currency

4. ފާޚާނާ

   faakhaanaa

   Toilet

   Usage

   Essential when asking directions. The word alone usually does the job

5. ޓިޝޫ

   tishoo

   Tissue

   Usage

   Needed at toilets and street stalls that provide no paper

6. ބޭސް

   beys

   Medicine

   Usage

   Use it at a pharmacy while miming your symptom

7. ފޮށި

   foshi

   Luggage

   Usage

   For checking, carrying or collecting bags — common at airports and hotels

8. ތަޅުދަނޑި

   thalhudhandi

   Key

   Usage

   For room keys and locker keys

9. ޓިކެޓް

   tiket

   Ticket

   Usage

   Transport or entry tickets. Combine it with a number at the counter

10. ޕާސްޕޯޓް

    paaspoat

    Passport

    Usage

    Requested at check-in and currency exchange, and the word you need if it goes missing

11. ފޯނު

    foanu

    Phone

    Usage

    Usually covers both the device and the act of calling

12. ޗާޖަރު

    chaajaru

    Charger

    Usage

    For borrowing or buying one — often needed at a hotel front desk

13. ފެރީ ޓާމިނަލް

    feree taaminal

    Ferry terminal

    Usage

    A landmark word when asking for directions

    Grammar Note

    There are no railways in the Maldives; the ferry terminal is the equivalent hub for getting between islands.

14. ހޮސްޕިޓަލް

    hospital

    Hospital

    Usage

    For when you fall ill — works as a destination in a taxi

15. ފުލުހުން

    fuluhun

    Police

    Usage

    For theft or accidents. Even the bare word conveys urgency

16. ފިހާރަ

    fihaara

    Shop

    Usage

    The base word when asking where to buy something

17. ކޮޓަރި

    kotari

    Room

    Usage

    For accommodation — checking vacancies or explaining a room number

18. މަގު

    magu

    Road

    Usage

    For asking the way, ideally while pointing at a map

19. އާއިލާ

    aa-ilaa

    Family

    Usage

    A guaranteed small-talk topic. Add a number and the conversation keeps going

20. ނަން

    nan

    Name

    Usage

    For confirming a booking or introducing yourself

21. ބޯ

    boa

    Head

    Usage

    Point at the part of your body that hurts

22. ލޯ

    loa

    Eye

    Usage

    Point at the part of your body that hurts

23. ދަތް

    dhaiy

    Tooth

    Usage

    For showing where it hurts at a dentist or pharmacy

24. ކަރު

    karu

    Throat

    Usage

    The throat itself; for the neck use "kandhuraa" instead

25. ބަނޑު

    bandu

    Stomach / belly

    Usage

    For pointing out abdominal pain

26. ބުރަކަށި

    burakashi

    Back

    Usage

    Covers the whole back; to mean just the lower back, point at the exact spot on yourself

27. ފައި

    fai

    Leg / foot

    Usage

    Covers both the leg and the foot — point at the exact spot on yourself

28. އަތް

    aiy

    Hand / arm

    Usage

    Covers both hand and arm; Dhivehi has no separate everyday word for the arm alone

29. މޭ

    mey

    Chest

    Usage

    For chest pain or tightness

30. ކަންފަތް

    kanfaiy

    Ear

    Usage

    Also useful for ear trouble after diving

31. ކަނދުރާ

    kandhuraa

    Neck

    Usage

    The neck itself; for a sore throat use "karu"

32. ކޮނޑު

    kondu

    Shoulder

    Usage

    Point at the part of your body that hurts

33. ކަކުލު

    kakulu

    Knee

    Usage

    Point at the part of your body that hurts

34. އިނގިލި

    ingili

    Finger

    Usage

    Used for fingers and toes alike — show which one on your own hand

35. ހަން

    han

    Skin

    Usage

    For sunburn, rashes, and skin irritation

36. ނޭފަތް

    neyfaiy

    Nose

    Usage

    For a blocked nose or a nosebleed

37. ހޮޓެލް

    hotel

    Hotel (lodging)

    Usage

    Lodging. Do not confuse it with Dhivehi "hotaa", which means a local eatery or teashop

38. ވައިގެ ބަނދަރު

    vaige bandharu

    Airport

    Usage

    Literally "the harbour of the air"; the English loan "earpoat" is also used. Malé's gateway is Velana International Airport

39. ބަސް ހުއްޓި

    bus hutti

    Bus stop

    Usage

    For the city bus stops in Malé and Hulhumalé

40. އެމްބަސީ

    embasee

    Embassy

    Usage

    The destination to show if you lose your passport

41. އޭޓީއެމް

    eytee-em

    ATM

    Usage

    Point at it when asking where the nearest machine is

42. ފައިސާ ބަދަލުކުރާ ތަން

    faisaa badhalukuraa than

    Money exchange

    Usage

    Literally "the place money is changed"; found at the airport and at banks

43. ލޯންޑްރީ

    loandree

    Laundry service

    Usage

    Coin laundries are rare in the Maldives; this means a guesthouse or shop laundry service

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