People and family in Maldivian
164 words Maldivian words on the topic “people and family”: ރައްޓެހި — friend, އާއިލާ — family, މަންމަ — mom, ބައްޕަ — dad. 164 words can be played from recordings.
164 words on the topic
- ރައްޓެހިrattehifriendNeutral about a man or a woman. Friendship as a feeling has its own longer word
- އާއިލާaailaafamilyArabic aa'ila. It covers kin more widely than parents and children
- މަންމަmammamomThe household address and the ordinary word for 'mother' at once: there is no other in daily use
- ބައްޕަbappadadPartner to mamma. Grandfather is kaafa, grandmother maama
- ދަރިފުޅުdharifulhuchilddhari, 'offspring', plus the affectionate -fulhu. It's how you speak of someone else's child too
- ވިއްކާ މީހާvikkaa meehaasellerLiterally 'selling person': vikkaa is 'sells', meehaa is 'person'. There is no separate noun 'seller' in Dhivehi
- ގަންނަ މީހާganna meehaabuyerBy the same pattern as 'seller': ganna is 'buys'. The first word changes, the second stays
- އަވަށްޓެރިޔާavahteriyaaneighborFive syllables: a-vah-te-ri-yaa
- ގޭގެ ވެރިޔާgeyge veriyaalandlordGeyge is 'of the house' (from ge), veriyaa is 'master, owner'. The same word names the head of the country
- ޑޮކްޓަރުdoktarudoctorEnglish doctor. The bare k-sign holds 'k' without a vowel, hence 'dok-ta-ru'
- އިންޖިނިއަރުinjiniaruengineerEnglish engineer. One of the commonest borrowing moves: -er turns into -aru
- ޕްރޮގްރާމަރުprograamaruprogrammerTwo bare consonants in a row; pro-g-raa-ma-ru
- ޕެންޝަނަރުpenshanarupensionerEnglish pensioner. About an elderly person one says it respectfully with the 'aged person' phrase
- ބޮސްbosbossEnglish boss. Officially it's veriyaa — the same word as 'landlord'
- މަސައްކަތު ބައިވެރިޔާmasakkathu baiveriyaacolleagueBaiveriyaa is 'partner, participant' (from bai, 'part'). Literally 'work partner'
- މީހާmeehaapersonAlready met inside 'seller' from the first lesson: the final -aa marks 'that very one'. Just 'some person' takes an indefinite tail, and 'people' is the plural
- ފިރިހެނާfirihenaamanFirihen is 'male'; the ending -aa makes it 'that very man'. The same firihen stands in the word for 'boy'
- އަންހެނާanhenaawomanThe mirror of 'man', with the same anhen that stands in 'girl'
- ފިރިހެން ޒުވާނާfirihen zuvaanaayoung manZuvaan, 'young', with the ending, gives 'young person' — but it doesn't show gender, so 'male' goes in front
- އަންހެން ޒުވާނާanhen zuvaanaayoung womanThe same pattern as 'young man', only with anhen. One word for 'young woman' doesn't exist in Dhivehi
- މުސްކުޅިޔާmuskulhiyaaold manMuskulhi is 'old' about a person; about a thing they say baa from the last lesson. The word doesn't split genders: an old woman is called the same
- ނުދަންނަ މީހާnudhanna meehaastrangerDhanna is 'known', nu- the negation. The pattern is the same as 'seller': the modifier in front, 'person' behind
- މީހުންގަނޑުmeehunganducrowdMeehun, 'people', plus the same augmentative ending as in 'basket' from the last lesson
- ބިދޭސީbidheyseeforeignerFrom Sanskrit for 'another country', through Sinhala. Notices and forms call all non-citizens this
- ރިސެޕްޝަނިސްޓުrisepshanistureceptionistEnglish receptionist. The native word for 'master' won't do here: behind the counter stands an employee
- މަސްވެރިޔާmasveriyaafishermanMas, 'fish', plus veriyaa, 'a man of the trade' — the same pattern as 'landlord'. The chief profession of the islands
- އިސްތަށިisthashihairLiterally 'a hair': about the hair on the head the fuller phrase is used
- އިސްކޮޅުން ދިގުiskolhun dhigutallLiterally 'long of stature': iskolhu is height. There's no separate word for 'tall' about a person
- އިސްކޮޅުން ކުރުiskolhun kurushort (in height)The partner of 'tall': 'short of stature'. About a low house people say it differently
- ޒުވާންzuvaanyoungFrom Persian. 'The young' takes the plural ending, as with 'the police'
- ތުނބުޅިthunbulhibeardThe bare n before b gives the nasal twang: thun-bulhi
- މަތިމަސްmathimasmustacheLiterally 'the upper flesh': mathi is 'top', and mas here is not fish but flesh
- ހިކިhikithin (person)The core meaning is 'dry': of laundry, of weather and of a person
- ފަލަfalafatA native word. About a thick book you don't say it — there the 'hard, thick' word stands
- ރީތިreethigood-lookingThe chief word of praise: beautiful, nice, fine to look at. Of a thing too — 'a nice dress'
- ސިފަsifaappearanceArabic sifa — 'quality, attribute'. 'To describe a person' is 'to tell the sifa'
- ހެޔޮލަފާheyolafaakind'Good', from unit five, plus the counsel word. Of a person who does good
- މަޖާmajaacheerfulBoth 'cheerful' and 'fun' and 'funny': a majaa story is an amusing one
- ހުށިޔާރުhushiyaarusmartFrom Persian — 'alert, quick-witted'. It means both 'smart' and 'cautious'
- ރުޅިގަދަrulhigadhafierce'Anger' plus 'strong' — by the same pattern as 'loud' from unit six
- ހަމަހިމޭންhamahimeyncalmOf a person and of a quiet room alike. The partner of 'loud'
- އަދަބުވެރިadhabuveripoliteArabic adab, 'good manners'. The -veri ending is the same as in 'happy'
- ކަންނެތްkanneiylazyThe doubled n stretches: kan-nei
- ހިތްވަރުގަދަhihvarugadhabrave'Heart-strength' plus 'strong'. 'Take heart' is said with the same heart word
- ތެދުވެރިthedhuverihonestThedhu is 'truth'; the tail makes 'the truthful one'. Partner to the word for 'lying'
- މިޒާޖުmizaajutemperamentArabic mizaaj — 'disposition, mood'. About a person's temper, not about the character of a thing
- ވެއިޓަރުveitaruwaiterEnglish waiter. No native word: a restaurant in the Maldives is a new thing
- ބުޅިbulhicurlyA homonym: the same bulhi is a fishing hook. About hair there is no mix-up, because 'hair' stands nearby.
- ތަލަthalabaldSaid of a head and of a person alike: 'a bald head', 'a bald one'.
- ނުރަnuragray-hairedNura by itself is gray hair; 'went gray' is literally 'the gray hair struck'.
- އިސްކޮޅުiskolhuhow tall one isThe familiar 'tall' and 'short' of the first wave are built from this very word.
- ލޫޅާފަތިloolhaafathislimNot the same as 'thin': that one speaks of a lack of weight and often with pity, this one is a compliment.
- އިސްކޮޅުން މެދުމިންiskolhun medhuminof average heightMedhumin is 'the middle measure', from 'middle' and 'measure'. The tail on the first word means 'by the measure of'.
- ދީލަތިdheelathigenerousSaid of a person and of a spread: 'a generous table'.
- ކެތްތެރިkeiytheripatientThe n before the t sounds doubled: key-THE-ri
- މަސައްކަތްތެރިmasakkaiytherihardworkingFrom 'work', Unit 3. The second sense is 'craftsman, master'.
- އިތުބާރު ހުރިithubaaru hurireliableLiterally 'one who has trust': 'trust' plus 'having'. The familiar 'to trust' is the same root.
- މަޑުމައިތިރިmadumaithirimodestIt covers 'modest' and 'quiet, unobtrusive' alike. There is no shade of poverty, as in a 'modest meal'.
- މީހުންނާ ގުޅޭmeehunnaa gulheysociableLiterally 'coming together with people', a present participle. No single word with this sense exists in Dhivehi.
- އަޅާލާalhaalaacaringA participle from 'to look after', literally 'one who watches over'. It stands in front of the noun.
- ސީރިއަސްseeriasseriousEnglish 'serious' spelled in Thaana, and in talk it is exactly this word. The native one is closer to 'substantial, grown-up' and sounds official.
- ތަރުބިއްޔަތު ރަނގަޅުtharubiyyathu rangalhuwell brought upLiterally 'with a good upbringing'. It differs from 'polite' by speaking of the family, not of one moment's manner.
- ސަމާސާ މިޒާޖުsamaasaa mizaajusense of humorLiterally 'a joking disposition': 'joke' plus 'character'. No calque of 'sense of humor' exists in Dhivehi.
- ދަހިވެތިdhahivethigreedyBoth 'stingy' and 'greedy for something': 'keen on money'.
- ބޯހަރުboaharustubbornLiterally 'with a hard head': 'head' plus 'hard'. The shade is reproach more than admiration.
- ގޮތްކުޑަgoiykudarudeGOI-ku-da: the final h of the first word is a breath, not a t
- ލަދެއް ނުގަންނަladheh nugannashamelessLiterally 'who does not feel shame'. The negation sits as a prefix inside the participle, not as a separate word.
- މަކަރުވެރިmakaruverislyFrom 'deception', so the word always condemns. Slyness as cleverness is the 'clever' of the first wave.
- ވާހަކަ ގިނަvaahaka ginachattyLiterally 'many talks'. Gina is the same 'many' as in Unit 20.
- ސަމާލުކަން ކުޑަsamaalukan kudaabsent-mindedLiterally 'with little attention': the Unit 20 word plus 'small'. No separate word for absent-mindedness exists.
- ރުޅި އަވަސްrulhi avashot-temperedLiterally 'fast to anger'. It differs from 'evil' by speaking of speed, not of strength.
- ފަރުވާލެއް ނެތްfaruvaaleh neiyindifferentLiterally 'for whom there is no care'. Faruvaa here is not the Unit 22 'treatment' but 'attention, care' — one word, two senses.
- އާދަaadhahabitA habit of a person and a custom of a society: 'the custom of the island'.
- އަންހެން ރައްޓެހިޔާanhen rattehiyaafemale friendThere is no gender in Dhivehi, so it must be said with a word: 'female' in front of the buddy word of Unit 6.
- ދަންނަ މީހެއްdhanna meehehacquaintanceLiterally 'a person whom I know': the participle in front of the noun. No separate word for acquaintance exists.
- ގުދުރަތީ ހުނަރުgudhurathee hunarutalentLiterally 'an inborn skill'. The bare word is an acquired skill; talent is marked by the word for 'inborn'.
- އުފަންވަނީufanvaneeto be bornDhivehi verbs have no dictionary form — the card gives the present. From 'born' plus a tail. The birthday is 'the day of being born'.
- ޅަފަތުގެ ދުވަސްވަރުlhafathuge dhuvasvaruchildhoodLiterally 'the time of smallness': 'young, immature' plus 'time'. The everyday word for 'when I was little' stands in the next lesson.
- ޒުވާން ދުވަސްވަރުzuvaan dhuvasvaruyouth'Young' plus 'time'. There is no separate name for youth: it is called 'the young time'.
- ބޮޑުވުމަށްފަހުގެ ދިރިއުޅުންboduvumahfahuge dhiriulhunadult lifeLiterally 'the living after one has grown up': the verb means both 'to grow up' and 'to increase'. Dhiriumeh is life as a way of living, not a lifespan.
- ޖީލުjeelugenerationArabic in root. Often in pairs: 'a new generation', 'the former generation'.
- އުފަން ރަށްufan rahhometownLiterally 'the island of birth': rah means an island and a settlement in general. A Maldivian calls his own the island of his ancestors, even if he grew up in Male.
- ގައުމުގައި ފަސް އަހަރު އުޅުންgaumugai fas aharu ulhunto live in the country for five yearsUlhun is 'to live, to reside': a length of stay is said with it, not with the eating-and-living word. The term stands before the verb with no preposition.
- ހަނދާންhandhaanmemoryBoth memory and a recollection at once. The familiar 'to memorize' of the first wave and the 'souvenir' of the third have the same root.
- ކުރީގެ ފޮޓޯkureege fotoaold photographKureege is 'of former times', not the 'old and worn' word: a photograph does not wear out, it is from another time.
- ތަގުދީރުthagudheerufateArabic in root, with a religious shade of predestination. Luck is another word, and an everyday one.
- އައު ދިރިއުޅުމެއް ފެށުންau dhiriulhumeh feshunto start a new life'New' plus 'life, way of living' plus 'beginning'. The tail makes the life 'one, some'.
- އާއިލާއެއް ފެށުންaailaaeh feshunto start a familyLiterally 'to begin a family': 'family' from the basic course. No verb 'to start up' with this sense exists in Dhivehi.
- ދަނޑުވެރިޔާdhanduveriyaafarmerDhandu is a field, a garden plot; the tail means 'the one who owns it'. On the atolls this names whoever keeps garden beds on their own island.
- ބިނާކުރާ މީހާbinaakuraa meehaabuilderLiterally 'a person who builds': binaa is a structure. No separate word 'builder' exists — the usual way Dhivehi names trades.
- މެކޭނިކުmekeynikumechanicEnglish 'mechanic'. In Male this covers both the one who fixes motorbikes and the one who fixes boat engines.
- އިލެކްޓްރީޝަންilektreeshanelectricianFour consonants in a row, with a light vowel slipping in: i-lek-ti-RII-shan
- ޕްލަމަރުplamaruplumberEnglish 'plumber'. A young word: piped water in Male arrived later than electricity.
- ވަޑިޔާvadiyaacarpenterA native and ancient word: carpenters built the dhoani, those very boats. In the Maldives the carpenter has always mattered more than the stonemason.
- ސެކިއުރިޓީsekiuriteesecurity guardEnglish 'security'. The word names both the service and the person at the entrance.
- ސެކްރެޓަރީsekretareesecretaryEnglish 'secretary'. No gender, so the word serves a woman and a man alike.
- ތަރުޖަމާނުtharujamaanuinterpreterFrom Arabic tarjuman. It means above all the spoken kind; the written translator gets another phrase.
- ދަށު މުވައްޒަފުdhashu muvazzafusubordinateDhashu is 'lower, below'; muvazzafu is 'employee', from Arabic. Together: 'the lower-ranking employee'.
- ބައިވެރިޔާbaiveriyaapartner'A share, a part' plus the owner tail. The same word with another first word means 'colleague'; bare, it is a business partner.
- ދަރަނިވެރިޔާdharaniveriyaadebtor'Debt' plus the owner tail — the same suffix as in 'farmer' and 'partner'. It does not praise, it simply names the holder.
- މަކަރުވެރިޔާmakaruveriyaafraudster'Deception, trickery' plus the actor tail. In this wave the suffix sounds condemning for once.
- ދިރިއުޅޭ މީހާdhiriulhey meehaaresidentLiterally 'a person who lives'. The same turn as in 'housing', Unit 6.
- މުއްސަނދިmussandhirichA native word. It fits a person and a language alike: 'a rich language'.
- ފަގީރުfageerupoorArabic. The word is not rude: in Islamic law this is the one entitled to help.
- ވޮލަންޓިއަރުvolantiaruvolunteerEnglish 'volunteer'. The native phrase 'one who works for free' is long but does appear in notices.
- ކޮޓަރި ބައިވެރިޔާkotari baiveriyaaroommate'Room', Unit 6, plus 'the one who has a share'. In crowded Male this is a very common word.
- ކުޑައިރުގެ ރައްޓެހިޔާkudairuge rattehiyaachildhood friend'When I was little' plus 'buddy'. Literally 'a friend of the small time'.
- މުސައްނިފުmusannifuauthorArabic for 'compiler'. A bookish word; in talk people say 'the one who wrote it'.
- މަޝްހޫރުmashhoorufamousThe same word as 'popular', Unit 26: Arabic does not tell 'everyone knows him' from 'everyone loves him'.
- އެތުލީޓުethuleetuathleteEnglish 'athlete'. The native Unit 28 word means 'a player', that is, one on a team, not an athlete in general.
- ބާރުގަދަbaarugadhapowerful'Strength' plus 'of which there is much'. Said of the wind and of a person alike.
- ސަޕޯޓަރުsapoatarusupporterEnglish 'supporter', spelled in Thaana. No native word — but the supporters themselves in the Maldives are very loud.
- ބުއްދިވެރިbuddhiverisensible'Reason' plus the Unit 30 tail. About a clever person another word is said; this one is about an act and about good sense.
- ހެޔޮކަންheyokankindnessFrom 'kind, good'; the tail turns it into a quality name. The word covers kindness and good itself.
- ނަފުސު ހިފެހެއްޓުންnafusu hifehettunself-restraintLiterally 'the holding of oneself': the soul-self word, Arabic. No separate word exists, and the turn is more honest — it shows this is an effort.
- ކެތްތެރިކަންkeiytherikanpatienceThe patience root with a trait tail and a thing tail back again. Three tails in a row — a chain usual for Dhivehi.
- އަމިއްލަ އެދުންamilla edhunselfishnessLiterally 'a wish for oneself': 'one's own' plus 'wish'. A condemning word, as in the pivot.
- ކަންނެތްކަންkannethkanlazinessFrom 'lazy'. The tail turns the trait into a thing, as in other pairs.
- ބޯހަރުކަންboaharukanstubbornnessLiterally 'hard-headedness': 'head' plus 'hard'. The image is the same as the pivot's.
- އެނގެން ބޭނުންވުންengen beynunvuncuriosityLiterally 'the wish to know'. No separate word exists; the interest word sounds approving, and this turn is neutral.
- އަމާނާތްތެރިކަންamaanaaiytherikanintegrityFrom 'a thing entrusted', Arabic. A word about one who will not fail with what is another's: both integrity and honesty in dealings.
- ހުޝިޔާރުކަންhushiyaarukanresourcefulnessSharp-witted, alert — by way of Urdu from Persian. A word about the mind and about not losing one's head alike.
- އަޅާނުލުންalhaanuluncarelessnessLiterally 'a not-heeding': from the caring verb. Unit 53 gives from the same root the turn for 'to give up on'.
- ކެރޭkereyresoluteIt means 'to dare, to make up one's mind'. The participle means 'who dares': both bold and resolute at once.
- ލަދުރަކިladhurakibashfulThe shame word plus the timid word. A soft word, without condemnation.
- އަވަހަށް ހިތުގައި ޖެހޭavahah hithugai jeheythin-skinnedLiterally 'whose heart is quickly touched'. The course already gave the taking-offense pair; here the turn has become a trait.
- ފަސޭހައިން އެއްބަސްވާfaseyhain ehbasvaaeasygoingLiterally 'easily agreeing'. No separate word exists; the nearest native one means 'meek, mild' — that is different.
- ކުދިކުދި ކަންކަމަށް ބަލާkudhikudhi kankamah balaameticulousLiterally 'looking at small things'. The turn is neutral: in Dhivehi it is more often praise of a craftsman than a rebuke.
- އަމިއްލަ ނަފުސު ދެކެ ލޯބިވާamilla nafusu dheke loabivaavainLiterally 'loving himself most'. The loving turn the course already gave: here the self word is a postposition phrase, not a verb.
- އެހީތެރިeheetherihelpfulThe help word with a trait tail. The course already gives 'helper' with the person tail: there a person, here a trait.
- ބަންދުވެގެން އުޅޭbandhuvegen ulheywithdrawnLiterally 'living shut away'. No separate adjective exists; the closed word is the same one as in 'dead end'.
- ސީދާ ބުނާseedhaa bunaabluntLiterally 'speaking straight'. The exact word the course already gives; here it means 'directly, without roundabout words'.
- ކުރިން ނޭނގޭ ގޮތަށް އުޅޭkurin neyngey gothah ulheyunpredictableLiterally 'behaving so that you do not know in advance'. The mirror of Unit 58's 'predictably'.
- ބަސްއަހަނީbasahaneeto obeyLiterally 'listens to the word': 'word' plus 'listens'. A word above all about children.
- ފޮނިކަނޑަނީfonikandaneeto show offLiterally 'cuts the sweetness': the sweet word, and figuratively 'swank'. An idiom of its own and a very lively one.
- ޣީބަ ބުނަނީgheeba bunaneeto gossipThe gh sign gives a voiced 'gh', as in Arabic: gheeba
- ހެދިގަންނަނީhedhigannaneeto feignFrom doing, with a helper: 'makes a show'. Whom one feigns to be stands before the verb.
- ކެތްކުރަނީkeiykuraneeto hold backThe patience word. It fits bearing pain and holding back, keeping silent alike: the pivot's two verbs are not separated in Dhivehi.
- ސަމާސާކުރަނީsamaasaakuraneeto play a prankThe joke word. On whom the prank is played stands with a tail.
- ދޮގެއް ހަދާލަނީdhogeh hadhaalaneeto tell a fibThe course already gives the lying pair; here the tail makes the act one-time — 'went and lied once'.
- ސިއްރުން އަޑުއަހަނީsirrun aduahaneeto eavesdropLiterally 'listens secretly': the secret word. There is no separate verb.
- ގަދަކަމުން އުޅެނީgadhakamun ulheneeto impose oneselfLiterally 'behaves with force': the forcefulness word. No separate word exists, and the turn is wider — it covers coercion too.
- ބަހުގައި ހިފަހައްޓަނީbahugai hifahattaneeto keep one's wordLiterally 'holds on to the word'. The same holding verb that in Unit 50 meant 'to contain': here it is about faithfulness.
- ހައްގުވަނީhagguvaneeto deserveThe right word, the deserved, Arabic. A dative construction: 'it is due to him', that is, he has deserved it.
- ދެރަ ބަހެއް ބުނަނީdhera baheh bunaneeto reproachLiterally 'says a hurtful word'. No separate word exists; the complaining verb the course already gives is not the same.
- ސާބަސް ދެނީsaabas dheneeto complimentThe bravo word, by way of Urdu. The course already gives the praising verb: that one is bookish, this one alive and colloquial.
- ކުށްވެރިކުރަނީkuhverikuraneeto denounceThe fault word with a tail that makes the guilty one. The word serves moral condemnation and a court's sentence alike.
- ދޯކާދެނީdhoakaadheneeto let downBetrayal of trust, by way of Urdu. A word stronger than the pivot's: it holds treachery, not just a slip.
- އެނގިހުރެengihuredeliberatelyLiterally 'knowing'. The course already gives 'on purpose'; this is the second word of the same field, and it stresses awareness rather than intent.
- މޮޔަކަމުންmoyakamunout of foolishnessThe foolish word; a tail makes the thing, another the cause. Literally 'from foolishness'.
- ހެޔޮ ނިޔަތުގައިheyo niyathugaiwith the best of intentionsThe intention word, Arabic — from the religious stock: the prayer begins with it. Literally 'with a good intention'.
- އެއީ ރީތި ކަމެއް ނޫންeee reethi kameh noonthat is not niceLiterally 'this is not a beautiful matter'. The word means both 'beautiful' and 'proper' — the second sense is what holds the turn up.
- ގޯސް ނިޔަތެއްގައެއް ނޫންgoas niyathehgaeh noonhe meant no harmLiterally 'not with an evil intention'. The short pair the course already gives as 'I did not want it'; here the turn names the intent outright.
- އިތުބާރުithubaarutrustArabic. The trusting turn and the losing-trust turn are built with it.
- ހަސަދަhasadhaenvyArabic. A word with strong religious condemnation: envy is counted among the things one asks protection from.
- ރަހުމުrahumumercyArabic for 'mercy, compassion'. The course already gives sympathy: there a feeling shared, here the condescension of the strong to the weak.
- ނުފޫޒުnufoozuinfluenceArabic. The word is more about power and pressure than about kindly influence: 'to apply pressure'.
- ގަދަރުgadharuprestigeArabic for 'worth, weight'. It differs from power by being earned, not seized.
- ދެފަރާތުންdhefaraathunmutuallyLiterally 'from two sides'. No separate adverb exists, and the turn names outright who takes part.
- އެއްހަމައެއްގައިehhamaehgaias equalsLiterally 'on one line': the even, level word. The same word that in Unit 50 stands for the trait 'flat'.
- ގުޅިގެން އުޅެނީgulhigen ulheneeto get alongLiterally 'lives, having joined': the connection word. About neighbors and kin this is exactly what is said.
- އެއްކިބާވެގެން ހުންނަނީehkibaavegen hunnaneeto stay out of itThe at-a-distance word. The turn fits a person who does not meddle and a refraining from what is bad alike.
- މީހުންmeehunpeopleThe plural of meehaa via the tail -un; the same tail pluralizes other human nouns
- ދެ މީހުން އެކުގައިdhe meehun ekugaithe two of us togetherNo single word: Dhivehi counts the people and adds the word for 'together', which the course knows. Three would be 'three people together', and so on
How it sounds in a sentence
A word list is a blank. Conversation is made of sentences, and these are the ones the words fit into most often.
- އޭނާ އަހަރެންގެ ރައްޓެހިeynaa aharenge rattehiHe is my friend
- އަހަރެންގެ އާއިލާ މާލޭގައިaharenge aailaa maaleygaiMy family is in Malé
- މަންމަ ރޮށި ފިހަނީmamma roshi fihaneeMom is baking roshi
- ބައްޕަ މަހަށް ދަނީbappa mahah dhaneeDad is going fishing
- ދަރިފުޅު ސްކޫލަށް ދަނީdharifulhu skoolah dhaneeThe child is going to school
- ވިއްކާ މީހާ ކޮބާ؟vikkaa meehaa kobaa?Where is the seller?
What is worth knowing about these words
ރައްޓެހި (rattehi) — friend. Neutral about a man or a woman. Friendship as a feeling has its own longer word
އާއިލާ (aailaa) — family. Arabic aa'ila. It covers kin more widely than parents and children
މަންމަ (mamma) — mom. The household address and the ordinary word for 'mother' at once: there is no other in daily use
ބައްޕަ (bappa) — dad. Partner to mamma. Grandfather is kaafa, grandmother maama
Test yourself
First by ear — the way you will meet the word in conversation. Click the speaker and pick the translation.
- What is this word?
It is ރައްޓެހި (rattehi) — friend.
- What is this word?
It is އަވަށްޓެރިޔާ (avahteriyaa) — neighbor.
- What is this word?
It is މަސައްކަތު ބައިވެރިޔާ (masakkathu baiveriyaa) — colleague.
- What is this word?
It is ނުދަންނަ މީހާ (nudhanna meehaa) — stranger.
- What is this word?
It is އިސްކޮޅުން ކުރު (iskolhun kuru) — short (in height).
Now the other way around: recall the spelling from the meaning. That is harder, and therefore more useful.
- How do you say “friend” in Maldivian?
Neutral about a man or a woman. Friendship as a feeling has its own longer word
- How do you say “neighbor” in Maldivian?
From avah, 'quarter, village'. The -yaa ending marks a person, as in the word for 'master'
- How do you say “colleague” in Maldivian?
Baiveriyaa is 'partner, participant' (from bai, 'part'). Literally 'work partner'
- How do you say “stranger” in Maldivian?
Dhanna is 'known', nu- the negation. The pattern is the same as 'seller': the modifier in front, 'person' behind
- How do you say “short (in height)” in Maldivian?
The partner of 'tall': 'short of stature'. About a low house people say it differently
How to learn the set instead of just reading it
Mum, friend, child, neighbour. The first thing people ask you about, and the first thing you tell about yourself.
A list is read in a minute and forgotten in a day. What works: hide the translation, try to recall, get it wrong — and come back to the same words tomorrow.
- Recalling beats re-reading. Covering the translation and trying to remember it does more than reading it ten more times.checked many timesAdesope, Trevisan & Sundararajan, 2017, Review of Educational Research 87(3) · 188 experiments, 272 comparisons. g = 0.61; against plain re-reading 0.51, against passive review 0.93.
- This holds not only in experiments but in ordinary classrooms, with real students.checked many timesMawson & Kang, 2025, Behavioral Sciences 15(6):771 · 22 studies, d = 0.54 (confidence interval 0.31–0.77). The authors warn that individual studies disagree widely.
Frequently asked
How do you say “friend” in Maldivian?
«ރައްޓެހި», read “rattehi”. Neutral about a man or a woman. Friendship as a feeling has its own longer word. It is one of 164 words in the set “people and family” — the rest are in the table above.
How many family words do you need to start?
A dozen is enough. The set of 164 words on this page covers nearly every everyday case on the topic — but it is best taken a few at a time, not all at once.
Is there audio?
Yes, 164 words on this page can be played — click the speaker next to the word. The sound works on any phone, and nothing needs to be installed.