The question particles -ތަ and -ތޯ
To make a question, a particle is glued to a word: -ތަ in ordinary speech, -ތޯ when you are polite. For example: “ކިހިނެއްތޯ؟” — How are you? (polite). A rule from the Maldivian course: worked out on examples, not memorized as a wording.
How it works
To make a question, a particle is glued to a word: -ތަ in ordinary speech, -ތޯ (-tho) when you are polite.
ކިހިނެއް ("how") becomes ކިހިނެއްތޯ (kihinehthoa) — "how are you?". The question mark is ؟, and it stands on the left, because the line runs right to left.
By example
- ކިހިނެއްތޯ؟kihinehthoa?How are you? (polite)
- ފެރީ ކޮބާ؟feree kobaa?Where is the ferry?
- ކިހާ ވަރެއް؟kihaa vareh?How much is it?
How the rule settles in your head
A rule is not memorized from an explanation. It is memorized from an attempt to use it and a mistake — that is why the app delivers it mixed in with words, not as a separate lesson: it resurfaces exactly where you forgot it.
Frequently asked
How to ask a question in Dhivehi?
To make a question, a particle is glued to a word: -ތަ in ordinary speech, -ތޯ when you are polite.
Dhivehi question particle tha or thoa?
ކިހިނެއް ("how") becomes ކިހިނެއްތޯ — "how are you?". The question mark is ؟, and it stands on the left, because the line runs right to left.
The Dhivehi question mark and why it is mirrored?
ކިހިނެއް ("how") becomes ކިހިނެއްތޯ — "how are you?". The question mark is ؟, and it stands on the left, because the line runs right to left.
What does it look like in an example sentence Maldivian?
“ކިހިނެއްތޯ؟” (kihinehthoa?) — How are you? (polite). A rule is easier to test on sentences like this than to memorize as a wording: what surfaces in conversation is the sentence.