26 Aug
2024

50 Must-Know Sinhala Phrases for Travelers

Traveling to Sri Lanka? Whether you're exploring the cultural richness of Kandy, lounging on the beaches of Mirissa, or hiking through the lush hills of Ella, knowing some Sinhala phrases can greatly enhance your experience. Sinhala, one of the official languages of Sri Lanka, is widely spoken and understanding a few key phrases will help you connect with locals, navigate the country, and appreciate the culture even more. Here's a handy list of 50 must-know Sinhala phrases for travelers.

1. Hello – ආයුබෝවන් (Ayubowan)

This traditional greeting means "may you live long" and is a respectful way to say hello.

2. Good Morning – සුභ උදෑසනක් (Subha Udaasanak)

Use this to greet someone in the morning.

3. Good Night – සුභ රාත්‍රියක් (Subha Rathriyak)

A polite way to say goodnight.

4. How are you? – ඔබට කෙසේද? (Oba Keseda?)

A common question to ask someone how they are doing.

5. I’m fine, thank you – මම හොඳින් ඉන්නවා, ස්තුතියි (Mama Hondin Innawa, Stuthiyi)

A typical response to "How are you?"

6. Yes– ඔව් (Ow)

Simple yet essential.

7. No – නැහැ (Næhæ)

For politely declining or refusing.

8. Please – කරුණාකර (Karunākara)

A must-know word for polite requests.

9. Thank you – ස්තුතියි (Stuthiyi)

Show appreciation with this phrase.

10. You’re welcome – ආයුබෝවන් (Ayubowan)

This phrase can be used in response to “Thank you”.

11. Excuse me/Sorry – මට සමාවෙන්න (Mata Samāvenna)

Perfect for getting someone's attention or apologizing.

12. Goodbye – ගිහිල්ලා එන්නම් (Gihilla Ennam)

A friendly way to say goodbye.

13. What is your name? – ඔයාගේ නම කුමක්ද? (Oyage Nama Kumakda?)

A great conversation starter.

14. My name is... – මගේ නම... (Mage Nama...)

Introduce yourself with this phrase.

15. Nice to meet you – ඔබව හමුවීම සතුටක් (Obawa Hamuweema Sathutak)

Express pleasure in meeting someone.

16. Where is the bathroom? – නාන කාමරය කොහෙද? (Nāna Kamareya Koheda?)

An important phrase for any traveler.

17. How much does this cost? – මෙය කීයද? (Meya Kiyada?)

For shopping or bargaining.

18. I don’t understand – මට තේරෙන්නේ නෑ (Mata Therenne Næ)

Useful when you’re lost in translation.

19. Do you speak English? – ඔබට ඉංග්‍රීසි කතා කළ හැකිද? (Obata Inglisi Katha Kala Hækida?)

A polite way to find out if someone speaks English.

20. Help! – උදව් කරන්න! (Udaw Karanna!)

For emergencies or when you need assistance.

21. Where is...? – කොහේද...? (Koheda...?)

Use this to ask for directions.

22. I’m lost – මට මගහැරුනා (Mata Magaheruna)

If you need help finding your way.

23. Can you help me? – ඔයාට මට උදව් කරන්න පුළුවන්ද? (Oyāta Mata Udaw Karanna Puluwanda?)

A polite way to ask for help.

24. What time is it? – වෙලාව කීයද? (Welawa Keeyada?)

Knowing the time is crucial when traveling.

25. I’m hungry – මට බඩගිනියි (Mata Badaginiyi)

Let someone know you're ready to eat.

26. I’m thirsty – මට තිබහයි (Mata Thibahai)

When you need a drink.

27. Where can I find a taxi? – ටැක්සියක් කොහේදී හම්බෙන්නේ? (Taxiak Kohedi Hambenne?)

Useful for getting around.

28. Can I get the bill? – ගෙවීමක් ලබාගත හැකිද? (Gewimek Labagatha Hækida?)

Ask for the bill after dining.

29. I’m a vegetarian – මම ශාකභක්ෂකයි (Mama Shakabhakshakai)

Important for those with dietary restrictions.

30. Is this spicy? – මෙය සැරයිද? (Meya Særaida?)

For the spice-conscious traveler.

31. I like it – මම එයට කැමතියි (Mama Eyata Kæmatiyi)

Show appreciation for something.

32. I don’t like it – මම එයට කැමති නෑ (Mama Eyata Kæmati Næ)

Express your dislikes politely.

33. I’m allergic to… – මට ආසාත්මිකත්වයක් තියෙනවා ...ට(Mata Asathmikathwayak Thiyenawa ...Ta)

For avoiding allergens.

34. What’s your phone number? – ඔබගේ දුරකථන අංකය කුමක්ද? (Obage Durakathana Ankaya Kumakda?)

A useful phrase for staying connected.

35. Can I take a photo? – මට පින්තූරයක් ගන්න පුළුවන්ද? (Mata Pinthurayak Ganna Puluwanda?)

Ask for permission before snapping a picture.

36. Where is the nearest hospital? – ඉතාමත් ආසන්නම රෝහල කොහේද? (Ithamat Asannama Rohala Koheda?)

Vital in case of emergencies.

37. Can I have a receipt? – මට රිසිට් එකක් ගන්න පුළුවන්ද? (Mata Receipt Ekak Ganna Puluwanda?)

Ask for a receipt when you make a purchase.

38. Do you have Wi-Fi? – ඔබට Wi-Fi තිබේද? (Obata Wi-Fi Thibeda?)

Crucial for staying online.

39. Where is the train station? – දුම්රියපොළ කොහේද? (Dumriyapola Koheda?)

For catching a train.

40. I need a doctor – මට වෛද්‍යවරයෙකු අවශ්‍යයි (Mata Vaidyawarayek Awashyai)

If you're feeling unwell.

41. What’s this? – මේ කුමක්ද? (Me Kumakda?)

When curious about something unfamiliar.

42. Can I pay by card? – මට කාඩ්පතක් මඟින් ගෙවන්න පුළුවන්ද? (Mata Cardpatak Mangen Gewanna Puluwanda?)

Inquire about payment methods.

43. It’s too expensive – මේක ඉතා මිල අධිකයි (Meka Itha Mila Adhikayi)

Useful when bargaining.

44. Can I get a discount? – මිල අඩු කරලා දිය හැකිද? (Mila Adu Karala Diya Hækida?)

Ask this for a better price.

45. Please write it down – කරුණාකර එය ලියන්න (Karunakara Eya Liyanna)

If you’re having trouble understanding.

46. I’m traveling alone – මම තනියම ගමන් කරනවා (Mama Thaniyama Gaman Karannawa)

Let people know you’re on your own.

47. I’m here on vacation – මම නිවාඩුවක් ගතකරනවා (Mama Nivadawak gathakarannawa)

Tell locals you’re enjoying a holiday.

48. Where can I find a good restaurant? – හොඳ අවන්හල් කොහේදී හමුවෙයිද? (Hoda Awanhal Kohedi Hamuweida?)

For finding great food.

49. Is there a vegetarian option? – ශාකහාර වර්ගයක් තියෙනවද? (Shakahara Vargayak Thiyenawada?)

Important for non-meat eaters.

50. I’m lost, can you help me? – මට මගහැරුනා, උදව් කරලා දිය හැකිද? (Mata Magahæruna, Udaw Karala Diya Hækida?)

A final phrase to ensure you’re never truly lost in Sri Lanka.

Conclusion

Mastering these Sinhala phrases will not only help you get around but also enrich your interactions with the friendly and hospitable people of Sri Lanka. Whether you're bartering at a local market, ordering food, or simply making new friends, these phrases will make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. Happy travels!