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! |
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