Shopping

1. ކިހާ ވަރެއް؟

   ki-haa va-re?

   How much is this?

   Usage

   The most basic phrase for asking the price when shopping

   Grammar Note

   The Arabic question mark "؟" is sometimes used in Dhivehi. The currency is Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), written as "Rf" or "ރ."

2. ހަދިޔާ ފިހާރަ

   ha-di-yaa fi-haa-ra

   Souvenir shop / craft shop

   Usage

   A shop selling traditional Maldivian crafts and souvenirs

   Grammar Note

   Traditional Maldivian crafts include lacquerwork, takaa (mats), and kaddu (woodwork). Thaana is a distinct script, not Arabic.

3. ދިވެހި ލިޔެލާ ޖެހުން

   di-ve-hi li-ye-laa jeh-un

   Maldivian lacquerwork (Liyelaa Jehun)

   Usage

   A traditional Maldivian lacquer craft souvenir

   Grammar Note

   "Liyelaa jehun" is a traditional lacquerwork craft, a potential UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. Features geometric patterns in red, yellow, and black.

4. އަގު ތަންކޮޅެއް ކުޑަ ކޮށްދޭ

   a-gu tan-ko-le ku-da kosh-dey

   Please make it a little cheaper

   Usage

   Negotiating for a discount

   Grammar Note

   "Agu kuda koshdey" means "make the price lower"; "tankole" is an adverb meaning "a little / somewhat."

5. ވިކި ދިޔަ ތަ؟

   vi-ki di-ya tha?

   Is this for sale? / Has it sold?

   Usage

   Asking if a displayed item is available for purchase

   Grammar Note

   Dhivehi past tense is formed with verb endings and auxiliary "dhiya." The question particle "tha" appended to the end makes it a question.

6. ރީތި ހަދިޔާ

   ree-thi ha-di-yaa

   Beautiful gift / souvenir

   Usage

   Referring to a nice souvenir or gift

   Grammar Note

   "Hadiyaa" is borrowed from Arabic "hadiya" (gift/present). Adjective "reethi" precedes the noun in Dhivehi.

7. ތިޔަ އެއްޗެއް ނަގާނަން

   ti-ya ech-cheh na-gaa-nan

   I'll take that one / decided

   Usage

   Indicating you have decided to buy an item

   Grammar Note

   Dhivehi demonstratives distinguish distance: "mi" (this), "thiya" (that, near you), "e" (that, far). "Nagaanan" is the future form of "negun" (to take).

8. ކިރި ކުރޭ

   ki-ri ku-rey

   Please weigh it

   Usage

   Asking for items to be weighed at a market or grocery

   Grammar Note

   "Kurey" is the imperative of "kurun" (to do). Adding the imperative suffix to verb roots forms commands in Dhivehi.

9. ދިވެހި ތަކެތި ގަންނަން ބޭނުން

   di-ve-hi ta-ke-ti gan-nan bey-nun

   I want to buy Maldivian / local products

   Usage

   Looking for local products

   Grammar Note

   "Gannan beynun" means "want to buy". Buying local is especially encouraged on local islands.

10. ކްރެޑިޓް ކާޑް ޤަބޫލްކުރޭތަ؟

    credit card qa-bool-kurey-ta?

    Do you accept credit card?

    Usage

    Checking accepted payment methods

    Grammar Note

    USD and credit cards are widely used in Maldivian resorts. Local islands primarily use MVR (Rufiyaa). "Qabulkureyta" means "do you accept", and "ta" is a question particle.

11. ދެ ދިވެހި ތަކެތި

    de di-ve-hi ta-ke-ti

    Two Maldivian products

    Usage

    Counting and ordering multiple souvenir items

    Grammar Note

    "Taketi" forms a plural for goods/items. Dhivehi numerals: "dhe" (2), "thin" (3), "hataru" (4), "fas" (5).

12. ރަސީދެއް ބޭނުމެއް ނޫން

    ra-see-deh bey-nu-meh noon

    I don't need a receipt

    Usage

    Declining a receipt when it is offered at the till

    Grammar Note

    "Beynumeh noon" is the negative of "beynun" (need); under negation the object also takes the indefinite "-eh".

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