Sinhala Phrases

Sri Lanka has a diversity of ethnic groups.Languages spoken in the country vary. The two major native languages are Sinhala spoken by the Sinhalese majority and Tamil language used by the Tamils. Although, Sinhala and Tamil are languages from different source, both share some common characteristics and obviously have influence on each other's linguistic evolution as well. English is widely spoken but it may be useful to learn some phrases in Sinhala if visiting the country for business or pleasure.

Pronunciation

a : as the 'u' in 'cup'
aa : like the 'a' in 'father'
e : the 'e' in 'met'
i : the 'i' in bit
o : the 'o' in 'hot'
u : the 'u' in put
ai : as the word 'eye'
au : like the 'ow' in 'how'

Basics

Hello : hello
Bye: aayu-bowan
Yes: owu
No: naeh
Please: karuna kara
Thank you: stuh-tee
Excuse me: sama venna
Sorry: kana gaatui
How much is it?: ehekka keeyada?
What's your name?: oyaaghe nama mokka'da?
My name is..: maaghe nama…

Getting Around

When does the nest …leave/arrive?: meelanga…pitat venne/peminenne?
Boat: bohtuwa
Bus: bas eka
Train: koh-chiya
Plane: plane eka
I'd like a one way ticket: mata tani gaman tikat ekek ganna ohna
I'd like a return ticket: mata yam-eem tikat ekek ganna ohna
Train station: dumriya pala
Ferry terminal: totu pala
Where is the…?: ….koheda?
Turn left/right: wamata/dakunata herenna
Far: durai
Near: lan-ghai

Around Town

Bank: benkuwa
Pharmacy/Chemist: faamisiya
My hotel: mang inna hotalaya
Market: maakat eka
Post office: tepal kantohruwa


Useful Words

Big: loku
Small: podi, punchi
Help!: aaneh!/aayoh!/amboh!
Go away!: metanin yanna!
I'm lost: mang ivarai/mang vinaasai

Food

Bread: paan
Butter: batah
Coffee: koh-pi
Tea: te-eh
Sugar: seeni
Water: watura
Fruit: palaturu

Numbers

1: eka
2: deka
3: tuna
4: hatara
5: paha
6: haya
7: hata
8: a-teh
9: navaya
10: dahaya


To learn Sinhala why not consider some Foreign Language Tution?