Sinhala, also known as Sinhalese is the mother tongue of the Sinhalese people, who make up the largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka, numbering about 16 million. Sinhala is also spoken, as a second language by other ethnic groups in Sri Lanka, totalling about 3 million. It belongs to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. Sinhala is one of the official and national languages of Sri Lanka. Sinhala, along with Pali, played a major role in the development of Theravada Buddhist literature.

Sinhala has its own writing system, the Sinhala alphabet, which is a member of the Brahmic family of scripts, and a descendant of the ancient Indian Brahmi script.

The oldest Sinhala inscriptions found are from the 6th century BCE, on pottery;the oldest existing literary works date from the 9th century CE.

The closest relative of Sinhala is the language of the Maldives and Minicoy Island (India), Dhivehi.

It’s good to learn a few words if you’re planning to come to Sri Lanka.  Here are a few that will help you on your trip.

English

Sinhala

Welcome Sadarayen Piligannawa, Ayubowan
Hello Halo
How are you?

Good, thank you

Kohomadha?
Hondhin innavā
Istuti mama hodin innava
What’s your name?

My name is …

Oyaagee nama mokakda?
Magee nama …
Where are you from?
I’m from …
Oba kohedha?
Mama ….. vella
Pleased to meet you Oba dhana ganima sathutak
Good morning Subha udhaasanak
Good afternoon Subha sandhavak
Goodbye Gihillaa ennam
Hari, gihin enna – ok goodbye
Mama yanawaaa = ‘I’m going’
Good luck Vāsanā vēvvā!
All the best Mama obata suba pathami
Have a nice day Subha davasak
Do you understand? Tērenavā da?
I understand Mata teerenavaaa
I don’t understand Mata obava therum ganna baahaa
Do you speak English? Oba ingreesi kathaa karanavadha?
Do you speak Sinhala?

 

Yes, a little

Oba sinhala kathā karanavadha?
Maṭa eya kiyanna pūl̠ūvan
Excuse me Samāvena
How much is this? Kiyeda?Kiyeda meka?
Sorry Mata samāvenna
Please Karunakarala
Thank you

 

Response

Istuti
ehkata kamak na
Where’s the toilet? Wasikiliya koheda thiyenne?
I’m lost Mata pāra waradilla
Go away! Or Go This Way Metanin yana!
Help!
Fire!
Stop!
Mata udaw wena
Gini gannawa!
Navatinna!
Call the police! Polisiya kataa karanna!