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Page 1: Sinhala Phrases

A collection of some of the most useful phrases spoken in Sinhala

by Dilshan Jayasinha of The Lazy But Smart Sinhala Blog

http://www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com

Copyright © 2013 JAY ONLINE ENTERPRISES, SARL. All Rights Reserved

Page 2: Sinhala Phrases

100 Essential Sinhala Phrases – Dilshan Jayasinha

I Go to www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com

100 Essential Sinhala Phrases

Copyright © 2013 JAY ONLINE ENTERPRISES, SARL. All Rights Reserved

A collection of some of the most useful phrases spoken in Sinhala

by Dilshan Jayasinha of The Lazy But Smart Sinhala Blog

Legal Disclaimer:

The information contained in this eBook is for informational purposes only.

I am not a certified teacher in Sinhala. All information given in this eBook is based purely on my own experience and understanding of the Sinhala language and also based on my goal to simplify it to the reader to the extent of my capability. You should always seek the advice of a professional in the Sinhala linguistics field before acting on or expressing something, especially in a professional context, that I have published or recommended.

All information appearing in this eBook is the property of Jay Online Enterprises, SARL. No part of this publication shall be reproduced, shared by email or otherwise, published on a website (either through direct copy & paste or manual reproduction), or sold in whole or in part in any form, without the prior written consent of the author. To request for such consent, please send an email to [email protected] to discuss it further.

There are no web links contained in this guide from which I benefit financially.

By reading this guide, you agree that myself or my company are not responsible for the success or failure of any decisions you take relating to any information presented in this eBook.

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A MESSAGE FROM YOURS TRULY…

Hi,

Thanks for signing up at my blog …(or perhaps a friend of yours ignored the legal stuff on the previous page and emailed you this eBook… bad bad friend ). In any case, I’m glad to have reached you.

Confession: About the number of phrases in this book, well, there are actually more than a 100… (closer to 150, I think). I just had no reason to not include those additional phrases.

In any case, this is not a ‘comprehensive’ collection of Sinhala phrases. That for me would be impossible. But even if it were possible, do you really have time for that? And even if you did, do you really need all that knowledge? I, for one, would answer a loud “no” and “no” for both and I’m guessing (and maybe hoping?) it’s the same for you.

So voila! Here’s your free copy of some thoughtfully selected Sinhala phrases that I think is “good enough” for you to start with. I’m a HUGE fan of “simplifying” things and not overloading the brain with information that is more than necessary. So, assuming that you’re also someone who likes that “lazy but smart” approach, I hope you’ll find this simplified Sinhala phrase collection helpful.

I look forward to keeping in touch with you through email and the comments section of my blog and assisting you in learning “good enough” Sinhala with the minimum needed effort.

All the best and I’ll see you soon,

Dilshan Oh, and if you have any questions,

feel free to contact me at: [email protected].

Seriously, I’d be more than happy to help you out (or at least try).

By the way, in case you got this copy without signing up..

Tell you what… Once you’re done with the book, if you think it helped you more than you expected, then please go to my blog and sign up to receive more freebies. I’d love to have you onboard. But if it didn’t really do much for you, then I’m sorry it didn’t work out, and we’ll just forget about the whole thing… Deal?

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100 Essential Sinhala Phrases – Dilshan Jayasinha

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NOW, ABOUT THESE PHRASES…

TYPE OF SINHALA USED

The Sinhala used in this eBook is Spoken Sinhala only (typical day-to-day conversation type Sinhala).

TYPE OF PHRASES

Generally I’ve chosen phrases for someone visiting Sri Lanka. But most of these can be also used when speaking to any Sinhala speaker (e.g. your wife, husband, father-in-law, etc.)

POLITE WORDS

I have not mentioned ‘Please’ and “Thank you” in most phrases (to avoid repetition), but use them whenever you want. I will show you where to place them in a sentence.

LITERAL TRANSLATIONS

Whenever the meaning of the Sinhala phrase diverts significantly from the English phrase, I will also give you the literal translation ( ). using this color

SYNONYMS

I have introduced synonyms (using

) only for words that are this color

often used interchangeably.

BORROWED ENGLISH WORDS

Often, for some words in spoken Sinhala, a derivative of the English word is used instead of the authentic Sinhala word for it. In such cases, I’ve used the English borrowed word. (e.g., In this book ‘ticket’ is {‘ticket’-ékȧ} and not the real Sinhala word).

INFORMAL vs. FORMAL “YOU”

In this book, I have used the Sinhala equivalent of the informal “you”. This can be used even with a stranger in a day-to-day setting. However, I’ll also give you the formal “you” so that it can be used when appropriate.

SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY, and SIMPLIFY!

Out of the many different ways of saying a phrase, I have chosen the one I think is a) the most simple to repeat; b) often used and easily understood

NOTES

Wherever needed, I have included additional notes ( ) using this color

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PRONUNCIATION GUIDE (FOR CHARACTERS USED IN THIS BOOK)

a as in… up

ȧ as in… away

aa as in… arm

æ as in… apple

ǣ as in… ant

auw as in… owl

ayi as in… eye

GROUP ‘A’

é as in… end

ḗ as in… aim

ee as in… eel

o as in… only

ō as in… open

oo as in… ooze

i as in… in

u as in… put

dh as in… then

th as in… three

ňd as in… bundle

ňdh as in… bundhle

Other special characters

GROUP ‘E’ GROUP ‘O’

GROUP ‘I’ GROUP ‘U’

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

100 Essential Sinhala Phrases

Click on a category of your choice

Phrases

Personal Pronouns ........................................................ 1 Polite Words .................................................................. 1 Greetings & Responses .................................................. 2 Important Single Words & Short Phrases ...................... 2 Initial Introductions ....................................................... 5 Language Related .......................................................... 6 Emergency Expressions ................................................. 7 Toilet / Bathroom .......................................................... 9 Food & Drinks .............................................................. 10 Finding a Place ............................................................. 11 In a Taxi or “Tuk-tuk” .................................................. 13 Bus, Train, Flight… ....................................................... 14 Accommodation .......................................................... 15 Shopping ..................................................................... 16

Love & Affection .......................................................... 17 Good Wishes ............................................................... 17 Useful Adjectives ......................................................... 17 Day, Week, Month, & Year .......................................... 18 Days of the Week ........................................................ 19 Months ........................................................................ 20 Numbers (0-10) ........................................................... 21 Email, Internet, and Mobiles ....................................... 22 Other Miscellaneous ................................................... 23

Bonus Material

Bonus #1: Grouped according to phrase type .............. 24 Bonus #2: Vocabulary .................................................. 26

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PHRASES Personal Pronouns Basic personal pronouns

I ma∙mȧ

You (informal) o∙yaa

You (formal) o∙bȧ

He/she é∙yaa

They é∙yaa∙la

Polite Words Main polite words

Please ka∙ru∙naa kȧ∙rȧ∙la Note: You can place this almost

anywhere in a sentence

Thank you (very much) bo∙hō∙mȧ is∙thoo∙thi Note: Typically placed at the end

of a sentence

I am sorry sa∙maa vén∙nȧ

Excuse me sa∙maa vén∙nȧ Note: Typically placed at the start

of a sentence

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100 Essential Sinhala Phrases – Dilshan Jayasinha

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Greetings & Responses Informal Greetings

Q How are you? ko∙ho∙mȧ∙dhȧ?

A I’m fine, thank you hoňdhin in∙nȧ∙va, bo∙hō∙mȧ is∙thoo∙thi

− and you? − o∙yaa ko∙ho∙mȧ∙dhȧ?

Hello ‘Hello’

Formal Greetings

Greetings! (formal) aa∙yu∙bō∙wan! Lit: “May your life span be long”

Good morning! su∙bȧ ! u∙dhǣ∙sȧ∙nak

Note: “Good morning”, “Good

evening”, etc. are not generally

used in conversation.

− afternoon − dha∙vaa∙lȧ∙yak

− evening! − sæn∙dhǣ∙vak

− night! − raath∙ri∙yak

Good-bye

Good-bye gi∙hil∙la én∙nam Lit: “I shall leave and return”

Important Single Words & Short Phrases “Yes” & “No”

Yes owu

No nǣ

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“This” & “That”

This mḗ∙kȧ

That ḗ∙kȧ

“Here” & “There”

Here mé∙hé Syn: “mé∙thȧ∙nȧ”

There é∙hé Syn: “é∙thȧ∙nȧ”

“Come”, “Go”, “Wait”, “stay”

Come here én∙nȧ mé∙hé

Wait here in∙nȧ mé∙hé Syn: “mé∙thȧ∙nȧ”

Stay here in∙nȧ mé∙hé

− there − é∙hé Syn: “é∙thȧ∙nȧ”

I want to go ma∙tȧ yan∙nȧ ō∙né

I don’t want to go ma∙tȧ yan∙nȧ ō∙né nǣ

− to come − én∙nȧ

− to stay here − mé∙hé in∙nȧ

Go there yan∙nȧ é∙hé∙tȧ Syn: “é∙thȧ∙nȧ∙tȧ”

The “’Wh” words… (and one “H” word)

Q What? mo∙kak∙dhȧ?

Q Why? æyi

Q When (on which day)? ka∙vȧ∙dha∙dhȧ? Syn: “koyi dha∙vȧ∙sȧ∙dhȧ?”

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Q When (at what time)? kee∙yȧ∙tȧ∙dhȧ? Syn: “koyi vé∙laa∙vȧ∙tȧ∙dhȧ?”

Q Where? ko∙hé∙dhȧ? Syn: “ko∙thȧ∙nȧ∙dhȧ?”

Q Who? kauw∙dhȧ?

Q Which one (object)? é∙kȧ∙dhȧ? mo∙nȧ Syn: “koyi”

Q Which one (person)? ék∙ké∙naa∙dhȧ? mo∙nȧ Syn: “koyi”

Q How? ko∙ho∙mȧ∙dhȧ?

Prepositions

Before ka∙lin Syn: “is∙sél∙la”

After pas∙sé

With ék∙kȧ

Without næ∙thu∙wȧ

Other useful single words

(is) Good hoňdhayi

(is) Not good hoňdhȧ nǣ

(is) Bad na∙rȧ∙kayi

Up udȧ

Down yatȧ

Left va∙mȧ

Right dha∙ku∙nȧ

Entrance æ∙thul vé∙nȧ thæ∙nȧ

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Exit é∙li∙yȧ∙tȧ ya∙nȧ thæ∙nȧ

(is) Open æ∙rȧ∙la

(is) Closed va∙ha∙la

Now dhæn

Initial Introductions Name

Q What is your name? o∙yaa∙gé na∙mȧ mo∙kak∙dhȧ?

Q Who are you? o∙yaa kauw∙dhȧ?

A My name is [Dilshan] ma∙gé na∙mȧ [Dilshan]

A My family name is [Jayasinha]

ma∙gé vaa∙sȧ∙ga∙mȧ [Jayasinha]

Age

Q What is your age? o∙yaa∙gé va∙yȧ∙sȧ kee∙yȧ∙dhȧ?

Q When is your birthday? o∙yaa∙gé u∙pan dhi∙nȧ∙yȧ ? ka∙vȧ∙dha∙dhȧ Syn: “koyi dha∙vȧ∙sȧ∙dhȧ?”

Happy birthday! su∙bȧ u∙pan dhi∙nȧ∙yak vḗ∙va!

Country

Q Where are you from? o∙yaa ko∙hén∙dhȧ?

Q Which country are you from?

o∙yaa ra∙tén∙dhȧ? mo∙nȧ Syn: “koyi”

Q Are you from here? o∙yaa mé∙hén∙dhȧ?

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A I am from Sri Lanka ma∙mȧ shree lan∙kaa∙vén

− America − æ∙mȧ∙ri∙kaa∙vén

− Australia − os∙trḗ∙li∙yaa∙vén

− Canada − kæ∙nȧ∙daa∙vén

− England − én∙gȧ∙lan∙thȧ∙yén

− Ireland − a∙yȧr∙lan∙thȧ∙yén

− New Zealand − na∙vȧ see∙lan∙thȧ∙yén

− Scotland − scot∙lan∙thȧ∙yén

− South Africa − dha∙ku∙nu ap∙ri∙kaa∙vén

NOTE: If your country is not on the list (how inconsiderate of me…), email me the name of your

country to [email protected] (just click on the link) and I’ll send you

back the name in Sinhala & an audio clip of me pronouncing it.

Language Related “Do you speak English?”

Q Do you speak English? o∙yaa in∙gree∙si ka∙thaa kȧ∙rȧ∙nȧ∙va∙dhȧ?

− Does anyone − kauw∙ru ha∙ri

You speak English well o∙yaa in∙gree∙si hoňdhȧ∙tȧ ka∙thaa kȧ∙rȧ∙nȧ∙va

“Do you understand?”

Q Do you understand? o∙yaa∙tȧ thḗ∙ré∙nȧ∙va∙dhȧ?

A I understand ma∙tȧ thḗ∙ré∙nȧ∙va

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− don’t understand − thḗ∙rén∙né nǣ

− understood − thḗ∙ru∙na

“I don’t speak Sinhala”

I don’t speak Sinhala ma∙mȧ sin∙hȧ∙lȧ ka∙thaa kȧ∙ran∙né nǣ

I speak a little Sinhala ma∙mȧ sin∙hȧ∙lȧ pod∙dak ka∙thaa kȧ∙rȧ∙nȧ∙va

I understand a little Sinhala ma∙tȧ sin∙hȧ∙lȧ pod∙dak thḗ∙ré∙nȧ∙va

I don’t know how to say it in Sinhala

ma∙mȧ ḗ∙kȧ sin∙hȧ∙lén ki∙yan∙nȧ dhan∙né nǣ

Other useful phrases

Q Could you speak a little more slowly?

tha∙wȧ pod∙dak hé∙min ka∙thaa kȧ∙ran∙nȧ pu∙lu∙wan∙dhȧ?

Q Could you repeat that? ḗ∙kȧ aayith ki∙yan∙nȧ pu∙lu∙wan∙dhȧ?

Q Could you write it in English?

ḗ∙kȧ in∙gree∙si∙yén li∙yȧ∙la dhén∙nȧ pu∙lu∙wan∙dhȧ?

Q How do you say […] in Sinhala?

[…] sin∙hȧ∙lén ki∙yan∙né ko∙ho∙mȧ∙dhȧ?

Emergency Expressions Asking for help

Help me! ma∙tȧ u∙dhauw kȧ∙ran∙nȧ!

Q Can I use your phone? ma∙tȧ o∙yaa∙gé ‘phone’ ékȧ paa∙vich∙chi kȧ∙ran∙na pu∙lu∙wan∙dhȧ?

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Calling for additional assistance

Call the police! po∙lis∙si∙yȧ∙tȧ ka∙thaa kȧ∙ran∙nȧ!

− a doctor − dhos∙thȧ∙rȧ ké∙né∙ku∙tȧ

− an ambulance − ‘ambulance’ é∙kȧ∙kȧ∙tȧ

− my embassy − ma∙gé ‘embassy’ é∙kȧ∙tȧ Syn: “thaa∙naa∙pȧ∙thi kaar∙yaa∙lȧ∙yȧ∙tȧ”

− the fire department − ‘fire brigade’ é∙kȧ∙tȧ Syn: “gi∙ni ni∙vȧ∙nȧ ha∙mu∙dhaa∙vȧ∙tȧ”

− the hospital − iss∙pi∙ri∙thaa∙lȧ∙yȧ∙tȧ

Street robbery / pick-pocket

Thief! ho∙rék!

Stop! (stop moving / walking / running)

na∙vȧ∙thin∙nȧ!

Stop him/her! é∙yaa∙vȧ na∙vath∙than∙nȧ!

I don’t have any money with me

ma∙mȧ gaa∙vȧ sal∙li mo∙nȧ∙vath nǣ

Dealing with someone bothering you

Go away! yan∙nȧ! mé∙hén Syn: “mé∙thȧ∙nin”

Leave me alone! ma∙tȧ ma∙gé paa∙du∙wé in∙nȧ dhén∙nȧ

Don’t touch me! maa∙vȧ al∙lan∙nȧ é∙paa

Don’t bother me! ma∙tȧ ka∙rȧ∙dhȧ∙rȧ kȧ∙ran∙nȧ é∙paa

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Other dangers

Fire! gin∙nak!

Health related

Q Where is the closest hospital?

laňgȧ∙mȧ is∙pi∙ri∙thaa∙lȧ∙yȧ thi∙yén∙né ? ko∙hé∙dhȧ Syn: “ko∙thȧ∙nȧ∙dhȧ”

I urgently want a doctor! ma∙tȧ va∙haa∙mȧ dhos∙thȧ∙rȧ ké∙nék∙vȧ ō∙né

− an ambulance − ‘ambulance’ é∙kak

I’m feeling sick ma∙tȧ sa∙nee∙pȧ nǣ

− tired − ma∙han∙si

− cold − see∙thȧ∙layi

− hot − ras∙néyi

− feverish − u∙nȧ va∙gḗ

I’m having a heart attack ma∙tȧ é∙nȧ∙va ‘heart attack’ é∙kak Syn: “hȧr∙dhaa baa∙dhȧ∙yak”

− brain stroke − ‘stroke’ é∙kak Syn: “ha∙dhi∙si aa∙baa∙dhȧ∙yak”

My blood type is […] ma∙gé lḗ var∙gȧ∙yȧ […]

Toilet / Bathroom Wanting to use the toilet

Q Where is the toilet? væ∙si∙ki∙li∙yȧ thi∙yén∙né ? ko∙hé∙dhȧ Syn: “ko∙thȧ∙nȧ∙dhȧ”

I want to go to the toilet ma∙tȧ væ∙si∙ki∙li∙yȧ∙tȧ yan∙nȧ ō∙né

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Food & Drinks Main nouns

Food kǣ∙mȧ

Drinks bee∙mȧ

Main food items

Rice bath

Bread paan

Meat mas

Vegetables e∙lȧ∙vȧ∙lu

Fruits pa∙lȧ∙thu∙ru

Main drink items

Water va∙thu∙rȧ

Bottled water bō∙thal va∙thu∙rȧ

Tea thḗ

Coffee kō∙pi

Eating & drinking

I’m hungry ma∙tȧ ba∙dȧ gi∙ni

− thirsty − thi∙ba∙hayi

Q Do you have any food? kæ∙mȧ mo∙nȧ∙va ha∙ri thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va∙dhȧ?

I want to eat ma∙tȧ kan∙nȧ ō∙né

I don’t want to eat ma∙tȧ kan∙nȧ ō∙né nǣ

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− to drink − bonnȧ

− some food − kǣ∙mȧ pod∙dak Lit: “a little bit”

− some water − va∙thu∙rȧ pod∙dak Lit: “a little bit”

Q Could you give me

something to eat? ma∙tȧ kan∙nȧ mo∙nȧ∙va ha∙ri dhén∙nȧ pu∙lu∙wan∙dhȧ?

Give me something to eat ma∙tȧ kan∙nȧ mo∙nȧ∙va ha∙ri dhén∙nȧ

− something to drink − bon∙nȧ mo∙nȧ∙va ha∙ri

− some water − va∙thu∙rȧ pod∙dak

− a tea − thḗ é∙kak

− a coffee − kō∙pi é∙kak

− the bill − bi∙lȧ

Q Have you eaten? o∙yaa kaa∙la∙dhȧ in∙né?

The food is tasty kǣ∙mȧ ra∙hayi

I don’t want anything ma∙tȧ mo∙nȧ∙vath ō∙né nǣ Syn: “é∙paa”

Finding a Place Getting lost

I’m lost ma∙tȧ paa∙rȧ væ∙rȧ∙dhi∙la Syn: “ma∙mȧ a∙thȧ∙rȧ∙mang vé∙laa”

I’m looking for my friend ma∙mȧ ma∙gé yaa∙lu∙va∙vȧ ho∙yȧ∙nȧ∙va

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Asking for the location of places

Q Where is the hospital? is∙pi∙ri∙thaa∙lȧ∙yȧ thi∙yén∙né ? ko∙hé∙dhȧ Syn: “ko∙thȧ∙nȧ∙dhȧ”

− the closest hospital − laňgȧ∙mȧ is∙pi∙ri∙thaa∙lȧ∙yȧ

− the hotel − hō∙tȧ∙lȧ∙yȧ

− the restaurant − kǣ∙mȧ ka∙nȧ thæ∙nȧ Syn: “restaurant’ ékȧ”

− bus stop − ‘bus halt’ é∙kȧ

− train station − kōch∙chi stḗ∙shȧ∙mȧ

− airport − ‘airport’ é∙kȧ Syn: “gu∙wan tho∙tu∙po∙lȧ”

Q Can you show me how to get there?

é∙thȧ∙nȧ∙tȧ ya∙nȧ hæ∙ti ma∙tȧ pén∙nȧ∙nȧ∙va∙dhȧ?

Getting/giving directions

Turn right dha∙ku∙nȧ∙tȧ hæ∙rén∙nȧ

− left − va∙mȧ∙tȧ

− back − aa∙pa∙hu

On the right side dha∙ku∙nu pæth∙thé

− left − vam

At the center (of something or someplace)

mædhȧ

Go straight ahead ké∙lin∙mȧ yan∙nȧ

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In a Taxi or “Tuk-tuk” Finding a taxi or “tuk-tuk”

Q Where can I get a taxi? ma∙tȧ ‘taxi’ é∙kak gan∙nȧ pu∙lu∙wan? ko∙hén∙dhȧ Syn: “ko∙thȧ∙nin∙dhȧ”

− a “tuk-tuk” − ‘three wheeler’ é∙kak

The fare

Q How much is it to go to […]?

[…]∙tȧ yan∙nȧ kee∙yȧ∙dhȧ?

Too expensive ga∙nang vǣ∙di

Q Does this have a meter? mḗ∙ké mee∙tȧ∙rȧ∙yak thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va∙dhȧ?

Instructions to the driver

Take me to […] maa∙vȧ […]∙tȧ gé∙ni∙yan∙nȧ

Let’s go ya∙mu

Go slow hé∙min yan∙nȧ

− fast − hayi-yén

− carefully − pa∙ris∙sȧ∙min

− there − é∙hé∙tȧ Syn: “é∙thȧ∙nȧ∙tȧ”

− straight − ké∙lin

− straight ahead − ké∙lin∙mȧ

Turn right dha∙ku∙nȧ∙tȧ hæ∙rén∙nȧ

− left − va∙mȧ∙tȧ

− back − aa∙pa∙hu

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Wait here in∙nȧ mé∙hé Syn: “mé∙thȧ∙nȧ”

− there − é∙hé Syn: “é∙thȧ∙nȧ”

− a little / a moment − poddak

− for me (to return) − ma∙mȧ é∙nȧ∙kan

The change (balance money)

Q Where is my change/balance?

ma∙gé i∙thu∙ru sal∙li kō?

Keep the change/balance i∙thu∙ru sal∙li thi∙yaa gan∙nȧ

Bus, Train, Flight… Finding the bus stop, train station, and airport

Q Where is the bus stop? ‘bus halt’ é∙kȧ thi∙yén∙né ? ko∙hé∙dhȧ Syn: “ko∙thȧ∙nȧ∙dhȧ”

− the train station − kōch∙chi stḗ∙shȧ∙mȧ

− the airport − ‘airport’ é∙kȧ Syn: “gu∙wan tho∙tu∙po∙lȧ”

Q Can you show me how to get there?

é∙thȧ∙nȧ∙tȧ ya∙nȧ hæ∙ti ma∙tȧ pén∙nȧ∙nȧ∙va∙dhȧ?

Asking about the schedules

Q What time is the next bus? ee∙laňgȧ ‘bus’ é∙kȧ thi∙yén∙né ? kee∙yȧ∙tȧ∙dhȧ Syn: “koyi vé∙laa∙vȧ∙tȧ∙dhȧ”

Q What time is the last bus? an∙thi∙mȧ ‘bus’ é∙kȧ thi∙yén∙né ? kee∙yȧ∙tȧ∙dhȧ Syn: “koyi vé∙laa∙vȧ∙tȧ∙dhȧ”

− train − kōch∙chi∙yȧ

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− flight − ‘flight’ é∙kȧ

Asking about the destination

Q Where does this bus go to? mḗ ‘bus’ é∙kȧ yan∙né ? ko∙hé∙tȧ∙dhȧ Syn: “ko∙thȧ∙nȧ∙tȧ∙dhȧ”

− train − kōch∙chi∙yȧ

− flight − ‘flight’ é∙kȧ

Buying a ticket

I want to buy a ticket ma∙tȧ ‘ticket’ é∙kak gan∙nȧ ō∙né

− a one-way ticket − yan∙nȧ vi∙thȧ∙rak ‘ticket’ é∙kak

− a return ticket / round-trip

− ‘ticket’ é∙kak yan∙nayi én∙nayi Syn: ‘return’

Other related phrases

Bon voyage / Have a nice trip!

su∙bȧ ga∙mȧ∙nak!

Have a safe trip! pa∙ris∙sȧ∙min gi∙hil∙la én∙nȧ Lit: “Go carefully/safely and

return”

Accommodation Sleep

I want to sleep ma∙tȧ ni∙dhaa gan∙nȧ ōné

I don’t want to sleep ma∙tȧ ni∙dhaa gan∙nȧ ōné nǣ

− a place to sleep − ni∙dhaa gan∙nȧ thæ∙nak

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Finding a room

I’m looking for a place to stay

ma∙mȧ in∙nȧ thæ∙nak ho∙yȧ∙nȧ∙va

− a hotel − hō∙tȧ∙lȧ∙yak

Q Can you show me how to get there?

é∙thȧ∙nȧ∙tȧ ya∙nȧ hæ∙ti ma∙tȧ pén∙nȧ∙nȧ∙va∙dhȧ?

Q Do you have rooms? kaa∙mȧ∙rȧ thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va∙dhȧ?

Q Do you have a room for me to stay in?

ma∙tȧ in∙nȧ kaa∙mȧ∙rȧ∙yak thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va∙dhȧ?

Q Could you give me a room? ma∙tȧ kaa∙mȧ∙rȧ∙yak dhén∙nȧ pu∙lu∙wan∙dhȧ?

Q How much is this room? mḗ kaa∙mȧ∙rȧ∙yȧ kee∙yȧ∙dhȧ?

Changing your room

I want a different room ma∙tȧ vé∙nȧ kaa∙mȧ∙rȧ∙yak ō∙né

Shopping Inquiring about the price

Q How much is this? mḗ∙kȧ kee∙yȧ∙dhȧ?

This is too expensive mḗ∙kȧ ga∙nang vǣ∙di

Q Can you give me a lower price?

gaa∙nȧ a∙du kȧ∙rȧ∙la dhén∙nȧ pu∙lu∙wan∙dhȧ?

Other useful phrases

I’m only just looking ma∙mȧ ni∙kan ba∙lȧ∙nȧ∙va vi∙thȧ∙rayi

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Love & Affection Main phrases

I love you ma∙mȧ o∙yaa∙tȧ aa∙dhȧ∙réyi

− like − aa∙sayi Syn: “kæ∙mȧ∙thi”

Good Wishes Common good wishes

Bon voyage / Have a nice trip!

su∙bȧ ga∙mȧ∙nak!

Get well soon! sa∙nee∙pȧ vén∙nȧ! ik∙mȧ∙ning Lit: “quickly”

Good luck! ja∙yȧ vḗ∙va!

Happy birthday! su∙bȧ u∙pan dhi∙nȧ∙yak vḗ∙va!

Happy new year! su∙bȧ a∙luth auw∙rudh∙dhak vḗ∙va!

Merry Christmas! su∙bȧ nath∙thȧ∙lak vḗ∙va!

Useful Adjectives I am feeling cold ma∙tȧ see∙thȧ∙layi You are feeling cold o∙yaa∙tȧ see∙thȧ∙layi

− hot − ras∙néyi

− tired − ma∙han∙si

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− happy − san∙thō∙sayi

− sad − dhu∙kayi

I am young ma∙mȧ tha∙ru∙nayi You are young o∙yaa tha∙ru∙nayi

− old − va∙yȧ∙sȧ∙kayi

− beautiful/good looking − las∙sȧ∙nayi

− handsome − ka∙dȧ∙va∙sam

− scared − ba∙ya∙yi

Day, Week, Month, & Year Day

Day dha∙vȧ∙sȧ

Today a∙dhȧ

Yesterday ee∙yé

Tomorrow hé∙tȧ

Time of day

This morning a∙dhȧ u∙dhḗ

Yesterday morning ee∙yé u∙dhḗ

Tomorrow morning hé∙tȧ u∙dhḗ

− afternoon − dha∙val

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− evening − ha∙vȧ∙sȧ Syn: “hæn∙dhǣ∙vȧ”

− night (tonight) − rǣ

Week, month, year

Week sa∙thi∙yȧ Syn: “su∙maa∙nȧ∙yȧ”

Month maa∙sȧ∙yȧ

Year auw∙rudh∙dhȧ

This week, month, year, etc.

This week mḗ sa∙thi∙yȧ Syn: “su∙maa∙nȧ∙yȧ”

This month mḗ maa∙sȧ∙yȧ

This year mḗ auw∙rudh∙dhȧ

− Last − gi∙yȧ

− Next − la∙bȧ∙nȧ Syn: “ee∙laňgȧ”

Days of the Week Which day is it?

Q Which day is it today? a∙dhȧ dha∙vȧ∙sȧ mo∙kak∙dhȧ?

Q Which date is it today? a∙dhȧ dhi∙nȧ∙yȧ mo∙kak∙dhȧ?

− is it tomorrow − hé∙tȧ

− was it yesterday − ee∙yé

Days of the week

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Monday saňdhu∙dha

Tuesday aňgȧ∙ha∙ru∙waa∙dha

Wednesday ba∙dhaa∙dha

Thursday bra∙has∙pȧ∙thin∙dha

Friday si∙ku∙raa∙dha

Saturday sé∙nȧ∙su∙raa∙dha

Sunday i∙ri∙dha

Months Months (January - December)

January ja∙nȧ∙vaa∙ri

February pé∙bȧ∙rȧ∙vaa∙ri

March maar∙thu

April ap∙rḗl

May mæyi

June ju∙ni

July joo∙li

August a∙gōs∙thu

September sæp∙thæm∙bȧr

October ok∙thōm∙bȧr

November no∙væm∙bȧr

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December dhé∙sæm∙bȧr

Numbers (0-10) Cardinal numbers (one, two, three,…)

Zero bin∙dhu∙wȧ

One é∙kȧ

Two dhé∙kȧ

Three thu∙nȧ

Four ha∙thȧ∙rȧ

Five pa∙hȧ

Six ha∙yȧ

Seven ha∙thȧ

Eight a∙tȧ

Nine na∙mȧ∙yȧ

Ten dha∙ha∙yȧ

Ordinal numbers (first, second, third,…)

First pa∙lȧ vé∙ni

Second dhé vé∙ni

Third thun vé∙ni

Fourth ha∙thȧ∙rȧ vé∙ni

Fifth pas vé∙ni

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Sixth ha∙yȧ vé∙ni

Seventh hath vé∙ni

Eighth a∙tȧ vé∙ni

Nineth na∙mȧ vé∙ni

Tenth dha∙ha vé∙ni

First, second, and third time

First time pa∙lȧ vé∙ni sæ∙rḗ

− Second − dhé vé∙ni

− Third − thun vé∙ni

Last time an∙thi∙mȧ sæ∙rḗ

Email, Internet, and Mobiles Q Where can I check my

email? ma∙tȧ ma∙gé ‘email’ ba∙laa gan∙nȧ pu∙lu∙wan

? ko∙hé∙dhȧSyn: “ko∙thȧ∙nȧ∙dhȧ”

− access the internet? − ‘internet’ é∙kȧ paa∙vich∙chi kȧ∙ran∙nȧ

My mobile phone has no signal/reception

ma∙gé ‘signal’ nǣ ‘mobile’ é∙kḗ Syn: “cell phone’ é∙kḗ”

− no more charge/battery − ‘charge’ é∙kȧ i∙vȧ∙rayi

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Other Miscellaneous Q How do I do this? ma∙mȧ mḗ∙kȧ kȧ∙ran∙né ko∙ho∙mȧ∙dhȧ?

Q How does this work? mḗ∙kȧ væ∙dȧ kȧ∙ran∙né ko∙ho∙mȧ∙dhȧ?

Once again, thank you!

I hope you found this eBook useful. I personally had a great time creating it. But before I say “see you soon”, could I please ask you to do the following?

Send your responses to [email protected] (click on the link). I read every message that is sent to me so don’t feel like you’ll be wasting your time.

If you haven’t done already, please sign up for the mailing list at my blog. I hope to send you more free Sinhala learning tips and resources soon. I also will be launching some Premium products, and apart from my family and my girlfriend, I want you to be the next person to hear about it.

Thanks for your support and I look forward to talking to you real soon,

Dilshan

1. Tell me why you want to learn Sinhala? Is it a spouse or partner you want to impress? The parents-in-law? Are you moving there? Just going on vacation?... I’d love to hear your story.

2. Tell me what you would like me to write about on the blog? Something that will immediately be useful to you.

3. And finally (and I realize I’ve already asked you a lot), if you know someone who might find my blog useful, please give your friend my website address www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com

Be sure to check out the bonus material on the next pages…

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BONUS MATERIAL

Bonus #1: Grouped according to phrase type The following is the same collection of phrases from the eBook that have been grouped according to the type of phrase to make it more convenient for you.

“I want/don’t want” phrases

(also equivalent to “I need/don’t need” or “I’d like to/wouldn’t like to”) I want to eat ma∙tȧ kan∙nȧ ō∙né

I don’t want to eat ma∙tȧ kan∙nȧ ō∙né nǣ

− eat some food − kǣ∙mȧ pod∙dak Lit: “a little bit”

− drink − bon∙nȧ

− drink some water − va∙thu∙rȧ pod∙dak Lit: “a little bit”

− sleep − ni∙dhaa gan∙nȧ

− a place to sleep − ni∙dhaa gan∙nȧ thænak

− go − yan∙nȧ

− go to the toilet − væ∙si∙ki∙li∙yȧ∙tȧ yan∙nȧ

− come − én∙nȧ

− stay here − in∙nȧ mé∙hé Syn: “mé∙thȧ∙nȧ”

− buy a ticket − ‘ticket’ é∙kak gan∙nȧ

I don’t want anything ma∙tȧ mo∙nȧ∙vath ō∙né nǣ Syn: “é∙paa”

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“Could you give me…?” type phrases

(also equivalent to “Could I have” or “May I have”)

Q Could you give me something to eat?

ma∙tȧ kan∙nȧ mo∙nȧ∙va ha∙ri dhén∙nȧ pu∙lu∙wan∙dhȧ?

Give me something to eat ma∙tȧ kan∙nȧ mo∙nȧ∙va ha∙ri dhén∙nȧ

− something to drink − bon∙nȧ mo∙nȧ∙va ha∙ri

− some water − va∙thu∙rȧ pod∙dak

− a tea − thḗ é∙kak

− a coffee − kō∙pi é∙kak

− a room − kaa∙mȧ∙rȧ∙yak

− the bill − bi∙lȧ

Q Could you speak a little more slowly?

tha∙wȧ pod∙dak hé∙ming ka∙thaa kȧ∙ran∙nȧ pu∙lu∙wan∙dhȧ?

Q Could you repeat that? ḗ∙kȧ aayith ki∙yan∙nȧ pu∙lu∙wan∙dhȧ?

Q Could you write it in English?

ḗ∙kȧ in∙gree∙si∙yén li∙yȧ∙la dhén∙nȧ pu∙lu∙wan∙dhȧ?

“Do you have…?”

Q Do you have rooms available?

kaa∙mȧ∙rȧ thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va∙dhȧ?

Q Do you have a room for me to stay in?

ma∙tȧ in∙nȧ kaa∙mȧ∙rȧ∙yak thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va∙dhȧ?

Q Do you have any food? kæ∙mȧ mo∙nȧ∙va ha∙ri thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va∙dhȧ?

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Bonus #2: Vocabulary The following table lists the most important useful words that were used in the phrases of the eBook to assist you for quick reference. A

After pas∙sé

Afternoon dha∙val

Again aayith

Age va∙yȧ∙sȧ

Airport ‘airport’ é∙kȧ Syn: “gu∙wan tho∙tu∙po∙lȧ”

(an) Ambulance ‘ambulance’ é∙kak

Anyone kauw∙ru ha∙ri

April ap∙rḗl

August a∙gōs∙thu

B

(is/are/am) Bad na∙rȧ∙kayi

(is/are/am) Beautiful/good looking las∙sȧ∙nayi

Before ka∙lin Syn: “is∙sél∙la”

Bill bi∙lȧ

Birthday u∙pan dhi∙nȧ∙yȧ

Blood lḗ

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(to) Bother ka∙rȧ∙dhȧ∙rȧ kȧ∙ran∙nȧ

Bottled water bō∙thal va∙thu∙rȧ

Brain stroke ‘stroke’ é∙kak Syn: “ha∙dhi∙si aa∙baa∙dhȧ∙yak”

Bread paan

Bus ‘bus’ é∙kȧ

Bus stop ‘bus halt’ é∙kȧ

(to) Buy gan∙nȧ

C

(to) Call ka∙thaa kȧ∙ran∙nȧ

Can / is able to pu∙lu∙wan

Carefully pa∙ris∙sȧ∙min

Center (of something or someplace) mædhȧ

Change/balance i∙thu∙ru sal∙li

Charge/battery (e.g. of a mobile phone) ‘charge’ é∙kȧ

(is/are/am) Closed va∙ha∙la

Closest laňgȧ∙mȧ

Coffee kō∙pi

(a) Coffee kō∙pi é∙kak

(is/are/am) Cold see∙thȧ∙layi

(to) Come én∙nȧ

Country ra∙tȧ

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D

Date dhi∙nȧ∙yȧ

Day dha∙vȧ∙sȧ

December dhé∙sæm∙bȧr

(a) Doctor dhos∙thȧ∙rȧ ké∙nék

Down yatȧ

(to) Drink bonnȧ

Drinks bee∙mȧ

E

(to) Eat kan∙nȧ

Eaten kaa∙la

Eight a∙tȧ

Eighth a∙tȧ vé∙ni

Email ‘email’

Embassy ‘embassy’ é∙kȧ Syn: “thaa∙naa∙pȧ∙thi kaar∙yaa∙lȧ∙yȧ∙tȧ”

English in∙gree∙si

(in) English in∙gree∙si∙yén

Entrance æ∙thul vé∙nȧ thæ∙nȧ

Evening ha∙vȧ∙sȧ Syn: “hæn∙dhǣ∙vȧ”

Exit é∙li∙yȧ∙tȧ ya∙nȧ thæ∙nȧ

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Expensive ga∙nang

F

Family name vaa∙sȧ∙ga∙mȧ

Fast hayi-yén

February pé∙bȧ∙rȧ∙vaa∙ri

(is/are/am) Feverish u∙nȧ va∙gḗ

Fifth pas vé∙ni

Fine hoňdhin in∙nȧ∙va, bo∙hō∙mȧ is∙thoo∙thi

First pa∙lȧ vé∙ni

Five pa∙hȧ

Flight ‘flight’ é∙kȧ

Food kǣ∙mȧ

For me ma∙tȧ

For you o∙yaa∙tȧ

Four ha∙thȧ∙rȧ

Fourth ha∙thȧ∙rȧ vé∙ni

Friday si∙ku∙raa∙dha

Friend yaa∙lu∙va

From here mé∙hén

From where? ko∙hén∙dhȧ?

Fruits pa∙lȧ∙thu∙ru

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G

(is/are/am) Good hoňdhayi

Greetings! (formal) aa∙yu∙bō∙wan! Lit: “May your life span be long”

(to) Get gan∙nȧ

(to) Give dhén∙nȧ

(to) Go yan∙nȧ

H

(is/are/am) Handsome ka∙dȧ∙va∙sam

(is/are/am) Happy san∙thō∙sayi

He/she é∙yaa

Heart attack ‘heart attack’ é∙kak Syn: “hȧr∙dhaa baa∙dhȧ∙yak”

Hello ‘Hello’

Help u∙dhauw

Here mé∙hé Syn: “mé∙thȧ∙nȧ”

(to) Here mé∙hé∙tȧ Syn: “mé∙thȧ∙nȧ∙tȧ”

Hospital iss∙pi∙ri∙thaa∙lȧ∙yȧ

(is/are/am) Hot ras∙néyi

Hotel hō∙tȧ∙lȧ∙yȧ

(a) Hotel hō∙tȧ∙lȧ∙yak

How much? kee∙yȧ∙dhȧ?

How? ko∙ho∙mȧ∙dhȧ?

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(is/are/am) Hungry ba∙dȧ gi∙ni

I

I ma∙mȧ

Internet ‘internet’ é∙kȧ

J

January ja∙nȧ∙vaa∙ri

July joo∙li

June ju∙ni

K

(to) Keep thi∙yaa gan∙nȧ

L

Last (e.g. bus, train, plane) an∙thi∙mȧ Syn: “koyi vé∙laa∙vȧ∙tȧ∙dhȧ”

Last/previous (e.g. week, month, year) gi∙yȧ

Left va∙mȧ

(to the) Left va∙mȧ∙tȧ

Likes aa∙sayi Syn: “kæ∙mȧ∙thi”

(a) Little pod∙dak

(is/are/am) Looking for ho∙yȧ∙nȧ∙va

(is/are/am) Looking ba∙lȧ∙nȧ∙va

(is/are/am) Loving aa∙dhȧ∙réyi

(to) Let someone be in∙nȧ dhén∙nȧ

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M

March maar∙thu

May mæyi

Me ma∙mȧ

Meat mas

(a) Meter mee∙tȧ∙rȧ∙yak

Mobile phone ‘mobile’ é∙kȧ Syn: “cell phone’ é∙kȧ”

Monday saňdhu∙dha

Month maa∙sȧ∙yȧ

Morning u∙dhḗ

My ma∙gé

N

Name na∙mȧ

(a) New year a∙luth auw∙rudh∙dhak

Next (e.g. bus, train, plane) ee∙laňgȧ

Next (e.g. week, month, year) la∙bȧ∙nȧ Syn: “ee∙laňgȧ”

Night rǣ

Nine na∙mȧ∙yȧ

Nineth na∙mȧ vé∙ni

No nǣ

Not good hoňdhȧ nǣ

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November no∙væm∙bȧr

Now dhæn

O

October ok∙thōm∙bȧr

(is/are/am) Old va∙yȧ∙sȧ∙kayi

One é∙kȧ

(a) One-way ticket yan∙nȧ vi∙thȧ∙rak ‘ticket’ é∙kak

(is/are/am) Open æ∙rȧ∙la

P

Phone ‘phone’ ékȧ

(a) Place to stay in∙nȧ thæ∙nak

(a) Place thænak

Please ka∙ru∙naa kȧ∙rȧ∙la

Police po∙lis∙si∙yȧ

Q

Quickly ik∙mȧ∙ning

R

(a) Return ticket / round-trip ticket ‘ticket’ é∙kak yan∙nayi én∙nayi Syn: ‘return’

Restaurant kǣ∙mȧ ka∙nȧ thæ∙nȧ Syn: “restaurant’ ékȧ”

Rice bath

Right dha∙ku∙nȧ

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(to the) Right dha∙ku∙nȧ∙tȧ

Room kaa∙mȧ∙rȧ∙yȧ

(a) Room kaa∙mȧ∙rȧ∙yak

Rooms kaa∙mȧ∙rȧ

S

(is/are/am) Sad dhu∙kayi

Saturday sé∙nȧ∙su∙raa∙dha

(is/are/am) Scared ba∙ya∙yi

Second dhé vé∙ni

September sæp∙thæm∙bȧr

Seven ha∙thȧ

Seventh hath vé∙ni

(is/are/am) Sick ma∙tȧ sa∙nee∙pȧ nǣ

Signal/reception (e.g of a mobile phone) ‘signal’

Sinhala sin∙hȧ∙lȧ

(in) Sinhala sin∙hȧ∙lén

Six ha∙yȧ

Sixth ha∙yȧ vé∙ni

Slow hé∙min

Slowly hé∙min

(is/are/am) Speaking ka∙thaa kȧ∙rȧ∙nȧ∙va

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(to) Stay in∙nȧ

Stop (e.g. stop moving / walking / running)

na∙vȧ∙thin∙nȧ!

Stop (e.g. stop something or someone) na∙vath∙than∙nȧ!

Straight ahead ké∙lin∙mȧ

Sunday i∙ri∙dha

(to) Say ki∙yan∙nȧ

(to) Sleep ni∙dhaa gan∙nȧ

(to) Stay in (e.g. to stay in a hotel) in∙nȧ

T

(a) Tea thḗ é∙kak

(a) Thief ho∙rék

(is/are/am) Tasty ra∙hayi

(is/are/am) Thirsty thi∙ba∙hayi

(is/are/am) Tired ma∙han∙si

(to) There é∙hé∙tȧ Syn: “é∙thȧ∙nȧ∙tȧ”

(a) “Tuk-tuk” ‘three wheeler’ é∙kak

(a) Taxi ‘taxi’ é∙kak

(a) Ticket ‘ticket’ é∙kak

Tea thḗ

Ten dha∙ha∙yȧ

Tenth dha∙ha vé∙ni

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Thanks is∙thoo∙thi Note: Typically placed at the end

of a sentence

That ḗ∙kȧ

Train station kōch∙chi stḗ∙shȧ∙mȧ

There é∙hé Syn: “é∙thȧ∙nȧ”

They é∙yaa∙la

Third thun vé∙ni

This (e.g. this thing) mḗ∙kȧ

This mḗ

Three thu∙nȧ

Thursday bra∙has∙pȧ∙thin∙dha

Today a∙dhȧ

Toilet væ∙si∙ki∙li∙yȧ

Tomorrow hé∙tȧ

Train kōch∙chi∙yȧ

Train station kōch∙chi stḗ∙shȧ∙mȧ

Tuesday aňgȧ∙ha∙ru∙waa∙dha

Two dhé∙kȧ

Type (e.g. a type of something; a kind) var∙gȧ∙yȧ

(to) Take away gé∙ni∙yan∙nȧ

(to) Touch al∙lan∙nȧ

Page 43: Sinhala Phrases

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U

Understand thḗ∙ré∙nȧ∙va

Understood thḗ∙ru∙na

Up udȧ

Urgently va∙haa∙mȧ

(to) Use paa∙vich∙chi kȧ∙ran∙na

V

(a) Voyage/trip ga∙mȧ∙nak

Vegetables e∙lȧ∙vȧ∙lu

W

(a) What time? kee∙yȧ∙tȧ∙dhȧ? Syn: “koyi vé∙laa∙vȧ∙tȧ∙dhȧ”

Wait in∙nȧ

Want ō∙né

Water va∙thu∙rȧ

Wednesday ba∙dhaa∙dha

Week sa∙thi∙yȧ Syn: “su∙maa∙nȧ∙yȧ”

What? mo∙kak∙dhȧ?

When? (at what time?) kee∙yȧ∙tȧ∙dhȧ? Syn: “koyi vé∙laa∙vȧ∙tȧ∙dhȧ?”

When? (on which day?) ka∙vȧ∙dha∙dhȧ? Syn: “koyi dha∙vȧ∙sȧ∙dhȧ?”

Where? ko∙hé∙dhȧ? Syn: “ko∙thȧ∙nȧ∙dhȧ?”

Page 44: Sinhala Phrases

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Which one? (for an object) é∙kȧ∙dhȧ? mo∙nȧ Syn: “koyi”

Which one? (for a person) ék∙ké∙naa∙dhȧ? mo∙nȧ Syn: “koyi”

Who? kauw∙dhȧ?

Why? æyi

With ék∙kȧ

Without næ∙thu∙wȧ

(to) Wait in∙nȧ

X

-

Y

(is/are/am) Young tha∙ru∙nayi

Year auw∙rudh∙dhȧ

Yes owu

Yesterday ee∙yé

You (formal) o∙bȧ

You (informal) o∙yaa

Your o∙yaa∙gé

Z

Zero bin∙dhu∙wȧ