LingoflyPeople and family in Maldivian
227 words in Maldivian on the topic “people and family”: ރައްޓެހި (rattehi) — friend, އާއިލާ (aailaa) — family, މަންމަ (mamma) — mom, ބައްޕަ (bappa) — dad. 227 words can be played from recordings.
227 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, colloquial: in the dictionary bos is another word, 'kiss'. Officially it's veriyaa — the same word as 'landlord'
- މަސައްކަތު ބައިވެރިޔާmasakkathu baiveriyaacolleagueBaiveriyaa is 'partner, participant' (from bai, 'part'). Literally 'work partner'
- މީހާmeehaapersonThe word appears inside 'seller' too: 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
- ނުދަންނަ މީހާnudhanna meehaastrangerDhanna is 'known', nu- the negation. The pattern is the same as in vikkaa meehaa, 'seller': the modifier in front, 'person' behind
- މީހުންގަނޑުmeehunganducrowdMeehun, 'people', plus -gandu, 'a solid mass, a piece' — the same ending as in vashigandu, 'basket'
- ފިރިހެން ދަރިfirihen dharisonLiterally 'male child': there is no single word 'son'. A daughter is built by the same pattern. The affectionate word for child doesn't mark gender
- 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', 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'
- ހަމަހިމޭންhamahimeyncalmOf a person and of a quiet room alike. The partner of adugadha, 'loud'
- އަދަބުވެރިadhabuveripoliteArabic adab, 'good manners'. The -veri ending is the same as in ufaaveri, '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
- އަނބިކަނބަލުންanbikanbalunbrideA respectful form of 'wife': the wedding notice names the bride this way. The language never grew a plain word for bride.
- ފިރިކަލުންfirikalungroomThe pair to anbikanbalun, 'bride': a respectful 'husband'. In everyday talk about the newlyweds, people just say 'the couple'.
- ކައިވެނި ކުރަނީkaiveni kuraneeto get marriedLiterally 'does marriage'. One verb serves both — there is no separate form for a woman marrying.
- ވަރިvaridivorceA native word. Do not mix up with vara, 'amount' — the difference is one vowel.
- މައިންބަފައިންmainbafainparentsBuilt from 'mothers' and 'fathers' — both halves plural. In everyday talk a simpler phrase is usual.
- ބޭބެbeybeolder brotherAn elder brother. A younger one is never called brother at all: he is the 'small child of the family', a word with no gender.
- ދައްތަdhaththaolder sisterThe sign doubles the t: dat-ta
- މާމަmaamagrandmotherOne word for both grandmothers; the line is specified only when needed.
- ކާފަkaafagrandfatherThe pair to maama. Do not mix up with the letter kaafa in the alphabet — same name, different thing.
- ބޮޑުބޭބެbodubeybeuncleLiterally 'big brother': an uncle is the senior brother of the older generation. The father's younger brother gets another word.
- ބޮޑުދައިތަbodudhaithaauntBy the same measure as uncle: 'big sister'. The mother's younger sister goes by another word.
- ކާފަދަރިkaafadharigrandchildLiterally 'grandfather's child'. From the grandmother's side the same person is named from her — you count from the speaker's side.
- ގާތްތިމާގެ މީހާgaaiythimaage meehaarelativeLiterally 'a close own person': 'close' plus 'one's own'. On an island, relatives are half the population.
- ދެބެންގެ ދެދަރި ބޭބެdhebenge dhedhari beybeboy cousinLiterally 'the son of two siblings' — children of two brothers, that is. The phrase spells out the tie; beybe adds 'older'.
- ކުދިންkudhinchildrenThe plural of 'child' with the human ending, like other people words.
- ފިރިހެން ކުއްޖާfirihen kujjaaboyLiterally 'a child of the male kind': there is no bare word 'boy', the gender always rides in front.
- އަންހެން ކުއްޖާanhen kujjaagirlThe pair to firihen kujjaa, 'boy', with 'female' in place of 'male'. The same two words serve 'guy' and 'gal' — the tone of talk shows the age.
- އަންހެން ދަރިanhen dharidaughterDhari is a child of no gender, so a daughter is a 'female child' and a son a 'male child'.
- ކިތައް އަހަރު؟kithah aharu?how old are you?Literally 'how many years?': there is no pronoun in the question, the talk supplies it. The question mark faces left, like the script.
- ބޮޑު މީހާbodu meehaaadultLiterally 'a big person'. A child grows up and becomes this — and so does a price that has grown.
- ފުރާވަރު ކުއްޖާfuraavaru kujjaateenagerFrom 'the time of ripening'. A bookish word; in talk a teenager is simply a 'big child'.
- ތުއްތު ކުއްޖާthuththu kujjaababyThe sign doubles twice in a row: tut-tu kuj-jaa
- އުމުރުumuruageFrom Arabic umr. Forms have a line for it, but in talk people ask differently.
- އަހަރެންގެ އުމުރަކީ ތިރީސް އަހަރުaharenge umurakee thirees aharuI am thirty years oldLiterally 'my age is thirty years': the linking particle makes one equal the other, as in 'my name is'.
- 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 isIskolhun dhigu, 'tall', and iskolhun kuru, 'short', 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'. The second sense is 'craftsman, master'.
- އިތުބާރު ހުރިithubaaru hurireliableLiterally 'one who has trust': 'trust' plus 'having'. Ithubaarukuranee, '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 th of the first word is not a t: the word stops in the throat, and the vowel before it slides toward y
- 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' word.
- ވާހަކަ ގިނަvaahaka ginachattyLiterally 'many talks': vaahaka is 'a talk', gina is 'many'. The order is the reverse of English.
- ސަމާލުކަން ކުޑަsamaalukan kudaabsent-mindedLiterally 'with little attention': the attention 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 '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.
- 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 present stands instead. 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 kudairu means 'when I was little'.
- 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. Handhaankuranee, 'to memorize', and handhaanee hadhiyaa, 'souvenir', 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'. 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.
- އިލެކްޓްރީޝަންilektreeshanelectricianThree 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.
- އާއިލާ ބަލަހައްޓަނީaailaa balahattaneeto provide for the familyLiterally 'looks after the family': from 'looks after'. In Dhivehi one provides not with money but with care.
- 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. Here the suffix sounds condemning for once.
- ވާރުތަ މުދާvaarutha mudhaainheritanceVaarutha is 'inheritance', from Arabic. Literally 'the inherited property'.
- ވަސިއްޔަތްvasiyyaiywillArabic. Everyone knows the word: in the Maldives a will is read aloud before the family.
- ދިރިއުޅޭ މީހާdhiriulhey meehaaresidentLiterally 'a person who lives'. The same turn as in 'housing'.
- 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', 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'.
- ދުރު ތިމާގެ މީހާdhuru thimaage meehaadistant relativeThe mirror of 'close relative': dhuru is 'far'.
- ޕްރީ ސްކޫލުpree skoolupreschoolEnglish 'pre-school'. No 'garden' in it: Dhivehi took the English name whole.
- ކުޑަކުދިންގެ ޕާކުkudakudhinge paakuplaygroundLiterally 'a park of little children': 'children' with a possessive tail. In crowded Male such playgrounds can be counted.
- ދަރިން ތަރުބިއްޔަތުކުރުންdharin tharubiyyathukurunto bring up children'Children' plus 'upbringing', Arabic. A serious word about moral upbringing, not about babysitting.
- މުސައްނިފުmusannifuauthorArabic for 'compiler'. A bookish word; in talk people say 'the one who wrote it'.
- މަޝްހޫރުmashhoorufamousThe same word as 'popular': Arabic does not tell 'everyone knows him' from 'everyone loves him'.
- އެތުލީޓުethuleetuathleteEnglish 'athlete'. The native 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.
- އެންގޭޖުވުންengeyjuvunengagementEnglish 'engage' plus the native 'become'. The native phrase 'gave word of marriage' is longer and sounds official.
- ކައިވެނީގެ އަނގޮޓިkaiveneege angotiengagement ringLiterally 'the ring of marriage': 'marriage' plus 'ring'. No separate word for the engagement kind exists.
- ކައިވެނީގެ ހެދުންkaiveneege hedhunwedding dressLiterally 'the clothing of marriage'. The clothing word serves dress and attire alike — there is no gender in Dhivehi, and the word fits both.
- ކައިވެނި ރަޖިސްޓްރީކުރުންkaiveni rajistreekurunmarriage registrationEnglish 'register' plus 'to do'. In the Maldives the court registers marriages, not a separate office — hence the court in the example.
- އަލަށް ކައިވެނިކުރި ދެމަފިރިންalah kaivenikuri dhemafirinnewlywedsLiterally 'the recently married pair': the pair word for husband and wife together. No single word 'newlyweds' exists in Dhivehi.
- ހަނީމޫންhaneemoonhoneymoonEnglish 'honeymoon'. In the country half the world flies to for a honeymoon, everyone knows the word — including those who do not speak English.
- އާ ގެއަށް ބަދަލުވުމުގެ ޙަފްލާaa geah badhaluvumuge haflaahousewarmingLiterally 'the celebration on the occasion of moving into a new house'. No single word exists: the custom of moving in with a feast exists on the atolls, but it has no name.
- ހިތާމައިގެ ދުވަސްވަރުhithaamaige dhuvasvarumourningLiterally 'the time of sorrow': 'sadness' plus 'period'. No separate word 'mourning' exists; the widow's term has its own name, but that is another notion.
- އާއިލީ ޙަފްލާaailee haflaafamily celebration'Family' with the little tail gives 'family'. The same trick as in other trait words.
- ބުއްދިވެރިbuddhiverisensible'Reason' plus the 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 English.
- 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 in English.
- 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. The same root also gives 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'. Compare 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'. Compare the loving turn: here the self word takes a trailing dheke, not a verb.
- އެހީތެރިeheetherihelpfulThe help word with a trait tail. Compare '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'. Compare the exact word; 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 '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 two 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 fibCompare 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 meant 'to contain': here it is about faithfulness.
- ހައްގުވަނީhagguvaneeto deserveThe right word, the deserved, Arabic. A 'to whom' pattern: '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 is not the same.
- ސާބަސް ދެނީsaabas dheneeto complimentThe bravo word, by way of Urdu. Compare 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 'to let someone down': it holds treachery, not just a slip.
- އެނގިހުރެengihuredeliberatelyLiterally 'knowing'. Compare '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 means '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'. Compare 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 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.
- ފިރިމީހާfirimeehaahusbandBuilt from firi, 'husband', and meehaa, 'person'. The tail -haa marks the definite
- އަނބިމީހާanbimeehaawifeThe counterpart of firimeehaa, assembled the same way: anbi plus meehaa
- މީހުންmeehunpeopleThe plural of meehaa via the tail -un; the same tail pluralizes other human nouns
- ފިރިމީހާގެ މަންމަfirimeehaage mammamother-in-lawNo separate word exists: a mother-in-law is literally 'the husband's mother'. The daughter-in-law still calls her just 'mom'.
- އަނބިމީހާގެ މަންމަanbimeehaage mammawife's motherThe same turn through the wife. Husband's side and wife's side are told apart only by whose name comes first.
- ފިރިމީހާގެ ބައްޕަfirimeehaage bappafather-in-lawThe father-in-law is built the same way — 'the husband's father'. In the house both are addressed as 'dad'.
- އަންހެން ދަރިފުޅުގެ ފިރިމީހާanhen dharifulhuge firimeehaason-in-lawLiterally 'the daughter's husband'. Dhari is the affectionate 'child' — parents call their grown children exactly that.
- ފިރިހެން ދަރިފުޅުގެ އަނބިމީހާfirihen dharifulhuge anbimeehaadaughter-in-lawLiterally 'the son's wife'. On the islands she usually lives in the husband's house, so the word is heard more than 'son-in-law'.
- އެއްބަނޑުމީހާގެ ފިރިހެން ދަރިehbandumeehaage firihen dharinephewEhbandu is 'from one womb', a full sibling. In everyday life a nephew is addressed simply as 'child'.
- އެއްބަނޑުމީހާގެ އަންހެން ދަރިehbandumeehaage anhen dharinieceThe same turn with 'female child'. It cannot be shortened: Dhivehi has no root of its own for nieces.
- އަންހެން ކާފަދަރިanhen kaafadharigranddaughterKaafadhari, 'grandfather's child', covers both grandchildren; the 'female' word picks out the granddaughter.
- އެއްމާބަނޑު ދެބެންemmaabandu dhebuntwinsLiterally 'two from one womb'. A triple is named by the same pattern.
- ގާތްތިމާގެ މީހުންgaaiythimaage meehunkinThe plural of 'relative': the whole clan, not one person.
- ދޮށީ ބޭބެdhoshee beybeeldest brotherBeybe on its own is already the older brother; dhoshee is added when there are several brothers and the top one is meant.
- އަންހެން ކޮއްކޮanhen kokkoyounger sisterKokko is the younger one, brother or sister alike; the 'female' word pins the gender. Age beats gender in Dhivehi.
- ހަމައެކަނި ދަރިފުޅުhamaekani dharifulhuonly childLiterally 'the only child'. A rare thing here: island families are big, and the word carries a note of surprise.
- ދެބެންގެ ދެދަރި ދައްތަdhebenge dhedhari dhaththagirl cousinLiterally 'the child of two siblings'; the same phrase with the brother word gives the boy cousin.
- ދޮންމަންމަdhonmammastepmotherHere dhon- is not 'bright' but 'step-': the same prefix as in stepfather.
- ދޮންބައްޕަdhonbappastepfatherThe pair to stepmother. The word is everyday and not insulting: divorces are frequent here, and a stepfather in the house is common.
- ޔަތީމުyatheemuorphanAn Arabic word known from the Friday sermon: caring for the orphan is a duty of its own in Islam.
- ހުވަފަތް އަންހެނާhuvafaiy anhenaawidowHuvafaiy is 'widowed'; for a man the same word is used. A divorced woman goes by another name.
- ކައިވެނިކުރި ފިރިހެނާkaivenikuri firihenaamarried manNo bookish word for spouse exists: in speech people say 'husband', and on paper it is written out — 'a man who has entered marriage'.
- ކައިވެނިކުރި އަންހެނާkaivenikuri anhenaamarried womanThe pair to kaivenikuri firihenaa, 'married man'. The bride and groom words will not fit here: those are for the wedding day only.
- ދެ މީހުން އެކުގައިdhe meehun ekugaithe two of us togetherNo single word: Dhivehi counts the people and adds the word for 'together'. Three would be 'three people together', and so on
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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.
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 ދިގު (iskolhun dhigu) — tall.
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 in vikkaa meehaa, 'seller': the modifier in front, 'person' behind
- How do you say “tall” in Maldivian?
Literally 'long of stature': iskolhu is height. There's no separate word for 'tall' about a person
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.
- Study spread over days wins 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» (rattehi), read “rattehi”. Neutral about a man or a woman. Friendship as a feeling has its own longer word. It is one of 227 words in the set “people and family” — the rest are in the table above.
How many family words do you need to start?
The whole set on this page is 227 words, but there is no need to start with all of it: the words you will need in the next few days are enough. Take them a few at a time — five to seven new ones per session.
Is there audio?
Yes, 227 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.