Essential Phrases to Know When Visiting the Maldives - Top Local Phrases to Learn Before Your Holiday in the Maldives

Those who intend to pick up the local lingo prior to a visit to the Maldives must first and foremost learn about the most widely spoken language in the Maldives. Called Dhivehi, this language is of Indo-Aryan origin and is closely related to the Sri Lankan mother tongue known as Sinhala. There are also countless loan words and expressions that have been absorbed into the fold due to the various merchants and immigrant communities that adopted the islands as their home over the centuries. So much so that the Dhivehi spoken in the archipelago today is a mixture of Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Dravidian, Portuguese, English and French influence.  It is also important to keep in mind that Dhivehi is written right to left and that most road signs in the country also feature English translations. Most locals are fluent in English as it is taught in local schools.

In terms of greetings, some of the most useful phrases to learn include common greetings such as "hello!" "Nice to meet you" and "how are you?" Maldivians say hello in the same way that all Muslims across the Arabic world do. "Assalaamu Alaikum" which translates to "may peace be upon you" is a good one to learn by heart. "Baddhalu vee thi varah ufavejje" is how one can say "nice to meet you" in Dhivehi while "How are you?" is made up of the simple phrase "Haalu kihineh?" When bidding adieu to a local family or acquaintance, it is best to say either "Vakivelan" or "Dhanee." The Dhivehi greetings during various times of the year also differ slightly as "good morning!" is "Baajjaveri hendhuneh" while "good night" is "Baajjaveri reygande."

Whether you are hoping to stay at a 5 star resort in Maldives such as the Baglioni Resort Maldives or a guest house in Male, it is crucial to remember that local residents are exceedingly polite. This is why it is necessary to say your thank you's and excuse yourself when the situation calls for it (preferably in Dhivehi.) The term for "Please" is "Adhes kohfa" while the word for "thanks" is the Hindi term "Shukriyaa". Excusing yourself is as straight forward as saying "Ma-aaf kurey" while" Maruhabaa" means "you’re welcome." Apologizing in Dhivehi is also no hassle if you remember the phrase "Ma-aafu kurey."

One of the most useful sentences to learn in Dhivehi is "ingireysin vaahaka dhakkan ingeytha? which means "do you speak English?" The term "Ahannakah neyngunu" ("I don't understand") will also come in handy when you are confused about a situation. Learning short expressions for "stop" ("Madu kurey") and "help" ("Salaamai kurey!") may also prove prudent.

When visiting the Maldives, it's essential to know some basic travel phrases to help you navigate your way around and communicate with locals. Here are a few important ones:

"Where is...?" - "Eynaa...?" (e.g., "Where is the beach?" - "Eynaa raalhu?")
"How much does it cost?" - "Kihineh hedhey?" or "Kihineh miadhu?"
"I would like..." - "Aharen kohfa..." (e.g., "I would like a bottle of water" - "Aharen kohfa geela kibaaru")
"Where can I find a restaurant?" - "Ekah veves Restaurant kuraneh?"
"I need help" - "Miyadhu kurumun"
"Where is the bathroom?" - "Haalu koshi ey?" or "Haalu ge dhondha ey?"
"Can you recommend a good place to eat?" - "Fahuneh hunivaa kuraneh kolhuves?"
"I'm lost" - "Loabiveyru vaahaka kohfa"
"Is there Wi-Fi here?" - "Eyna Wi-Fi eh?"
"Can you call a taxi for me?" - "Ekah goiy libigen fuluhuneh?"
"What time is it?" - "Kuda eki gai?"
Remember, while learning these phrases can be helpful, most people in the Maldives, especially in tourist areas, are fluent in English. However, locals will appreciate your efforts to learn a few Dhivehi phrases, and it can enhance your cultural experience during your visit to the Maldives.