The Sri Lanakn language and useful Sinhala phrases and Sinhala words

Sinhala and Tamil are national languages in Sri Lanka, with English commonly  used to make communication possible between persons not sharing a native language. It’s easy to get by with English, and the Sri Lankan variety has its own unique characteristics . However, English may be widely spoken in the main places. In any case, even a few words of Sinhala or Tamil will go a long way.

Sinhala

Sinhala is officially written using a cursive script.If you read below pronunciation guides as if they were English, you should not have any problems being understood.

Introduction and Basics - Sinhala

Hello.

 aayu-bowan

Goodbye.

aayu-bowan

Yes.

owu

No.

naha

Please.

karunaa kara

Thank you.

istuh-tee

Excuse me.

sama venna

Do you speak  English

oyaa in-ghirisih kata karanawada?

My name is ….

maaghe nama …

Sorry.

kana gaatui

Excuse me.

samah venna

 

Emergencies phrases

Help!

aaney!

Call a doctor!

dostara gen-nanna!

I’m lost

mama athara man wela

Go away!

methanin yanna!

Call the police!

polisiyata kiyanna!

 

Accommodation phrases

Do you have any  rooms available?

kaamara thiyanawada?

How much is it per person

ek kenek-kuta kiyada

person?

How much is it per night

ek rayakata kiyada

Is breakfast included?

udeh keh-emath ekkada?

for one night only

ek rayak pamanai

for two nights only

raya dekak pamanai

for one person only

ek-kenek pamanai

for two people only

den-nek pamanai

Shopping & Services phrases

What time does it  open?

kiyatada meka arinneh

What time does it  close?

kiyatada meka wahanneh

How much is it?

Meka Keyadah?

public telephone

podu dura katanayak

Small

Podi

Big

Loku

my hotel

mang inna hotalaya

medicine

Beheth

Eating & Drinking phrases

I’d like rice and curry please.

 bahth denna

Can we see the menu?

menoo eka balanna puluvandha?

I’m a vegetarian

mama elavalu vitharai kanne

Where can I wash my hands

Ath sodanne kohenda?

No ice in my drink please.

karunaakarala maghe beema ekata ais dhamanna epaa

That was delicious!

eka harima rasai!

Please bring a/the Bill

Bill eka genna

Please bring a/the fork

gaarappuvak genna

 Please bring a/the knife

Pihiyak genna

 Please bring a/the plate

Pigaanak genna

Please bring a/the glass of water

Wathura veedhuruvak genna

coff ee

koh-pi

fruit

palathuru

glass

co-ppaya

milk

kiri

salt

lunu

spoon

han-duh

sugar

seeni

tea

thay

water

vathura