Lazy But Smart Sinhala Words and Phrases

100 Lazy But Smart Sinhala Words & Phrases – Dilshan Jayasinha
An extract from my private collection of the most useful

words & phrases spoken in Sinhala today
by Dilshan Jayasinha
of The Lazy But Smart Sinhala Blog

www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com
Copyright © 2018 JAY ONLINE (PRIVATE) LIMITED. All Rights Reserved

100 Lazy But Smart Sinhala Words & Phrases
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 certified 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 (PRIVATE) LIMITED. 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 copyright@lazybutsmartsinhala.com to discuss it further.
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.
Copyright © 2013 JAY ONLINE (PRIVATE) LIMITED. All Rights Reserved
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A MESSAGE FROM YOURS TRULY…
You’re probably going to glance at my photo, think to yourself “He looks surprisingly decent”, and
then skip reading this intro anyway, so I might as well get to the point…
CONFESSION: There are actually more than a 100 words & phrases in here… (closer to 200, I think).
I’m generous like that (some may even venture to call me “awesome”)…
Obviously, this is not a ‘comprehensive’ collection of Sinhala phrases. That would be impossible.
But even if it were, do you really have time for that? And even if you did, do you really need all
that? I would answer a loud “no” and “no” for both and I’m hoping it’s the same for you.
So voila! Here’s your free copy of an extract of some thoughtfully selected Sinhala phrases that I think is “good enough”
for you to start with. Perfection is overrated. I’m a HUGE fan of “simplifying” things and not overloading the brain with
information that is more than necessary. Hope you’ll like my “lazy but smart” approach helpful (and if not, just trash the
damn ebook and quit grumbling. You got it for free, after all..)
Alright, I let you dive into the chapters now. And how about we meet up again at the end of this book?
Enjoy!
Dilshan
Oh, and if you have any questions, feel free
By the way, in case you got this copy without signing up.. you bad bad person…
to contact me at:
Tell you what… Once you’ve finished, if you think it helped you more than you expected,
dilshan@lazybutsmartsinhala.com.
then go to my blog and sign up to receive more Sinhala freebies. But if you hated it, then
no problem, I’ll just tell you what I’ve said to many ex-girlfriends in the past: “Sorry it I’d be happy to help you out
didn’t work out. Let’s just go our separate ways… And don’t forget your toothbrush that’s (provided I’m in a chatty mood, of course)
in my bathroom”…. Deal?
Go to Table of Contents Go to The Previous Page You Were On Go to www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com ii

NOW, ABOUT THESE WORDS & PHRASES…
TYPE OF SINHALA USED

COMMENT BUBBLES
I’ve used Spoken Sinhala only (Good
Wherever I feel like I need to open my big fat mouth and tell you something,
old fashioned day-to-day
I’ve done it in a comment bubble and grouped them as follows:
conversational Sinhala)
SYN: “Synonym” – To give you another word that is equally used
DEF: “Definition” – To explain a word
SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY, and SIMPLIFY!
SHRT: “Shortcut” – To help you remember a word
Out of the many different ways of
REM: “Remember” – To remind you of something already seen
saying a phrase, I have chosen the
one I think is a) the most simple to NOTE: “Note” – For pretty much everything else
repeat; b) often used and easily
understood
INFORMAL vs. FORMAL “YOU” POLITE WORDS BORROWED ENGLISH WORDS

In this book, I have used the Sinhala I have not mentioned ‘Please’ Often, for some words in spoken
equivalent of the informal “you”. and “Thank you” in most Sinhala, a derivative of the English
This can be used even with a phrases (to avoid repetition), word is used instead of the authentic
stranger in a day-to-day setting. but use them whenever you Sinhala word for it. In such cases, I’ve
However, I’ll also give you the formal want. I will show you where to used the English borrowed word. (e.g.,
“you” so that it can be used when place them in a sentence. In this book ‘ticket’ is {‘ticket’-ékȧ} and
appropriate. not the real Sinhala word).
Go to Table of Contents Go to The Previous Page You Were On Go to www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com iii

PRONUNCIATION GUIDE FOR THE TRANSLITERATION I HAVE USED
GROUP ‘A’ GROUP ‘E’ GROUP ‘O’
é as in… end o as in… only

ḗ as in… aim ō as in… open
ee as in… eel oo as in… ooze
GROUP ‘I’ GROUP ‘U’

i as in… in u as in… put
a as in… up
Other special characters
ȧ as in… away
aa as in… arm dh as in… then
æ as in… apple th as in… three
ǣ as in… ant ňd as in… bundle
auw as in… owl ňdh as in… (same as ‘bundle’ but with a soft ‘D’)
ayi as in… eye
ang as in… uncle
Go to Table of Contents Go to The Previous Page You Were On Go to www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS (CLICKABLE)
THIS BOOK COMES IN 2 SECTIONS: ........................................................................................................................................................ - 1 -

SECTION 1: FREQUENTLY USED SINHALA WORDS................................................................................................................................... - 2 -
1. YES, NO, AND OKAY .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. - 4 -
2. POLITE WORDS ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - 5 -
3. INTRO TO PERSONAL PRONOUNS .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. - 7 -
4. WHEN POINTING ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - 8 -
5. “WH” QUESTION WORDS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - 10 -
6. FAMILY .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. - 13 -
7. HOUSE & HOME ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - 14 -
8. COLORS ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. - 15 -
9. FOOD & DRINKS ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - 16 -
10. ANIMALS, BIRDS, & OTHER SPECIES ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ - 19 -
11. DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS, & YEARS ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. - 20 -
12. CARDINAL NUMBERS (1-10)...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - 25 -
13. ORDINAL NUMBERS (1ST-10TH) ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - 26 -
14. ADJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - 27 -
SECTION 2: COMMON SINHALA PHRASES ............................................................................................................................................ - 28 -

15. DEMOLISHING THE LANGUAGE BARRIER ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... - 30 -
16. SAYING “HELLO” AND BEING NICE TO PEOPLE .............................................................................................................................................................................................. - 32 -
17. STARTING EASY “ICE-BREAKER” CONVERSATIONS .......................................................................................................................................................................................... - 33 -
18. WISHING YOUR “LANKAN” FRIENDS ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ - 35 -
19. FINDING A PLACE TO STAY IN SRI LANKA ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... - 37 -
20. FINDING YOUR WAY IN A CITY LIKE COLOMBO .............................................................................................................................................................................................. - 38 -
21. USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - 40 -
22. STAYING CONNECTED DURING YOUR TRIP .................................................................................................................................................................................................... - 44 -
23. GOING SHOPPING (AND NOT GETTING RIPPED OFF) ...................................................................................................................................................................................... - 45 -
24. DEALING WITH (UNLIKELY?) EMERGENCIES .................................................................................................................................................................................................. - 46 -
25. GOING TO A DOCTOR WHO ONLY SPEAKS SINHALA ....................................................................................................................................................................................... - 48 -
26. GETTING ROMANTIC WITH YOUR LOVE-MUFFIN ........................................................................................................................................................................................... - 50 -
PREVIEW OF FREE BONUS MATERIAL................................................................................................................................................... - 52 -
Go to Table of Contents Go to The Previous Page You Were On Go to www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com v

THIS BOOK COMES IN 2 SECTIONS:
SECTION 1: FREQUENTLY USED SINHALA WORDS
SECTION 2: COMMON SINHALA PHRASES
Go to Table of Contents Go to The Previous Page You Were On Go to www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com 1

SECTION 1: FREQUENTLY USED SINHALA

WORDS

SECTION 1: FREQUENTLY USED SINHALA WORDS
1 2 3 4 5
INTRO TO
“WH” QUESTION
YES, NO, AND OKAY POLITE WORDS PERSONAL WHEN POINTING
WORDS
PRONOUNS
10 9 8 7 6
ANIMALS, BIRDS, &
FOOD & DRINKS COLORS HOUSE & HOME FAMILY
OTHER SPECIES
11 12 13 14
ORDINAL
DAYS, WEEKS, CARDINAL
NUMBERS ADJECTIVES
MONTHS, & YEARS NUMBERS (1-10)
(1ST-10TH)

1 1. YES, NO, AND OKAY

“Yes” & “No”
yes owu
no nǣ SYN: ‘næ∙hæ’
 Sample Phrases  DEF: ‘ma∙mȧ’ = “I”. The phrase literally

reads “Yes, I Dilshan” since in Sinhala,
 Yes, I am [Dilshan] owu, ma∙mȧ [Dilshan] “am/are/is” are often implied
 No, I am not [Dilshan] nǣ, ma∙mȧ [Dilshan] né∙méyi
DEF: ‘né∙méyi’ = “(am/are/is) not”
“Okay” (When Giving Approval Or Acceptance)

okay haa SYN: ‘ha∙ri’
 Sample Phrases 
 Okay (go ahead) haa

 Okay, I’ll eat (when haa, ma∙mȧ kan∙nam DEF: ‘kan∙nam’ = “(I) will eat”
you’re asked to eat)

2 2. POLITE WORDS
“Thank You”
thank you sthoo∙thi
NOTE: This is how it is usually said
 Thank you very much bo∙hō∙mȧ sthoo∙thi (instead of just ‘sthoo∙thi’)
MEANWHILE IN LAZY BUT SMART LAND… For those of you who take politeness & manners very seriously (don’t we
all?), check out the following post I did on the blog on that very same topic. Click on the link below:
http://www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com/thank-you-in-sinhala-and-polite-sht/
“Please”
NOTE: Literally means “Be kind and…”.
Used only when making a request (e.g.
please ka∙ru∙naa∙kȧ∙rȧ∙la “Please give” = ka∙ru∙naa∙kȧ∙rȧ∙la
dhén∙nȧ).
DEF: ‘dhén∙nȧ’ = polite command to
 Please give ka∙ru∙naa∙kȧ∙rȧ∙la dhén∙nȧ “give”
 Please come ka∙ru∙naa∙kȧ∙rȧ∙la én∙nȧ DEF: ‘én∙nȧ’ = polite command to “come”
 Please go ka∙ru∙naa∙kȧ∙rȧ∙la yan∙nȧ DEF: ‘yan∙nȧ’ = polite command to “go”

“I’m Sorry” / “Excuse Me”

sorry sa∙maa vén∙nȧ
 I’m sorry NOTE: We used the same expression

sa∙maa vén∙nȧ ‘sa∙maa vén∙nȧ’ for both “I’m sorry” and
 Excuse me “Excuse me”

3 3. INTRO TO PERSONAL PRONOUNS

Personal Pronouns
I ma∙mȧ
you (informal) o∙yaa
you (formal) o∙bȧ
he/she é∙yaa SHORTCUT: Sounds like ‘o∙yaa’ (“you”)
but with an é’ instead of ‘o’
they é∙yaa∙la
SHORTCUT: Add ‘la’ to ‘é∙yaa’ (“he/she”)
 Sample Phrases  to change it to the plural (“they”)
 I am [Dilshan] ma∙mȧ [Dilshan]

 He/She is [Dilshan] é∙yaa [Dilshan]
MEANWHILE IN LAZY BUT SMART LAND… Here’s a blog post I did on personal pronouns:
http://www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com/sinhala-personal-pronouns/

4 4. WHEN POINTING
“This” & “That” (Objects)
this (thing) mḗ∙kȧ REMEMBER: ‘mḗ’ = “this” and ‘mḗ∙kȧ’ =
“this (thing)”. From this point forward,
that (thing) ḗ∙kȧ for the sake of simplicity, I’ll dropping
the “(thing)” and just saying “this”
Q What is this? mḗ∙kȧ mo∙kak∙dhȧ? DEF: ‘mo∙kak∙dhȧ?’ = “what?”. I will

introduce this to you in a later chapter
Q What is that? ḗ∙kȧ mo∙kak∙dhȧ?
“Here” & “There”

here mé∙hé SYN: ‘mé∙thæ∙nȧ’
there é∙hé SYN: ‘é∙thæ∙nȧ’
 Wait here mé∙hé in∙nȧ DEF: ‘in∙nȧ’ = polite command to “wait”
 Wait there é∙hé in∙nȧ

to here mé∙hé∙tȧ SYN: ‘mé∙thȧ∙nȧ∙tȧ’
to there é∙hé∙tȧ SYN: ‘é∙thȧ∙nȧ∙tȧ’
NOTE: In Sinhala the equivalent of
 Come (to) here mé∙hé∙tȧ én∙nȧ “Come here” is literally said as “Come to
here”. The same for “Go there” which is
 Go (to) there é∙hé∙tȧ yan∙nȧ literally said as “Go to there”.
 I am coming (to) here ma∙mȧ mé∙hé∙tȧ é∙nȧ∙va DEF: ‘é∙nȧ∙va’ = “(am/are/is) coming”.
‘ya∙nȧ∙va’ = “(am/are/is) going”.
 I am going (to) there ma∙mȧ é∙hé∙tȧ ya∙nȧ∙va

5 5. “WH” QUESTION WORDS

“Why?”
why? æyi?
Q Why is that? æyi ḗ?
“Where?”
where? ko∙hé∙dhȧ? SYN: ‘ko∙thæ∙nȧ∙dhȧ?’
Q Where are you? o∙yaa ko∙hé∙dhȧ?

Q Where are you going? o∙yaa ko∙hé∙dhȧ yan∙né? DEF: ‘yan∙né’ comes from the word
‘yan∙nȧ’ (“to go”)
“Who?”
who? kauw∙dhȧ?
Q Who are you? o∙yaa kauw∙dhȧ?

“What?”
what? (for one thing) mo∙kak∙dhȧ? NOTE: You might often hear this being
pronounced as ‘mo∙kadh∙dhȧ’.
Q What is this? mḗ∙kȧ mo∙kak∙dhȧ?

Q What is that? ḗ∙kȧ mo∙kak∙dhȧ?
Q What do you want? o∙yaa∙tȧ mo∙kak∙dhȧ o∙né?
“When?”
when (which day)? ka∙vȧ∙dha∙dhȧ?
Q When are you coming? o∙yaa én∙né ka∙vȧ∙dha∙dhȧ? DEF: ‘én∙né’ comes from the word
‘én∙nȧ’ (“to come”)
Q When are you going? o∙yaa yan∙né ka∙vȧ∙dha∙dhȧ?
DEF: ‘yan∙né’ comes from the word
‘yan∙nȧ’ (“to go”)
when (what time)? kee∙yȧ∙tȧ∙dhȧ?
Q When are you coming? o∙yaa én∙né kee∙yȧ∙tȧ∙dhȧ?

Q When are you going? o∙yaa yan∙né kee∙yȧ∙tȧ∙dhȧ?

“Which?”
which one (thing)? koyi é∙kȧ∙dhȧ? DEF: ‘é∙kȧ’ = “one”. So, literally this is
“Which one?”
Q Which one do you o∙yaa∙tȧ ō∙né koyi é∙kȧ∙dhȧ?

want?
which one (person)? koyi ék∙ké∙naa∙dhȧ? DEF: ‘ék∙ké∙naa’ = “one person”. So,
literally this is “Which (one) person?”
Q Which one is your o∙yaa∙gé la∙mȧ∙ya koyi ék∙ké∙naa∙dhȧ? DEF: ‘la∙mȧ∙ya’ = “child”
child?
“How?”
how? ko∙ho∙mȧ∙dhȧ? NOTE: ‘ko∙ho∙mȧ∙dhȧ?’ is also an
informal greeting in Sinhala (meaning
 Sample Phrases  “how are you?”) that we’ll see in a later
chapter
Q How are you? o∙yaa ko∙ho∙mȧ∙dhȧ?
DEF: ‘kȧ∙ran∙né’ comes from the word
Q How do I do this? ma∙mȧ mḗ∙kȧ kȧ∙ran∙né ko∙ho∙mȧ∙dhȧ? ‘kȧ∙ran∙nȧ’ (“to do”)
Q How does this work? mḗ∙kȧ væ∙dȧ kȧ∙ran∙né ko∙ho∙mȧ∙dhȧ? DEF: ‘væ∙dȧ’ = “work” (noun); ‘væ∙dȧ
kȧ∙ran∙né’ comes from the word ‘væ∙dȧ
kȧ∙ran∙nȧ’ (“to do work” or “to work”)

6 6. FAMILY
Family Members
father thaath∙tha NOTE: In some families the children call
their father ‘ap∙pach∙chi’ instead of
mother am∙ma ‘thaath∙tha’
son pu∙thaa
daughter dhu∙wȧ
husband ma∙hath∙thȧ∙ya
wife nō∙na
boyfriend bōyi frénd (“boyfriend”)
girlfriend gȧl frénd (“girlfriend”)
Q Have you met my o∙yaa∙tȧ ma∙gé thaath∙tha∙vȧ ham∙bȧ vé∙laa DEF: “ham∙bȧ vé∙nȧ∙va’ = “am/are/is
father? thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va∙dhȧ? meeting” (present); ‘ham∙bȧ vé∙laa
thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va’ = “have met” (past)
Q Is this your father? mḗ o∙yaa∙gé thaath∙tha∙dhȧ?

 This is my father  mḗ ma∙gé thaath∙tha

7 7. HOUSE & HOME

“House”
house gḗ
Q Is this your house? mḗ o∙yaa∙gé gḗ∙dhȧ?

 This is my house  mḗ ma∙gé gḗ
Rooms In A House
room kaa∙mȧ∙rȧ∙yȧ DEF: ‘ni∙dhaa gan∙nȧ∙va’ = “sleeping”;
‘ni∙dhaa gan∙nȧ’ = adjective of
bedroom ni∙dhaa gan∙nȧ kaa∙mȧ∙rȧ∙yȧ “sleeping”
toilet toyi∙lȧt (“toilet”) é∙kȧ SYN: ‘toyi∙lȧt (“toilet”) é∙kȧ’ =

‘væ∙si∙ki∙li∙yȧ’ = “toilet”
bathroom naa∙nȧ kaa∙mȧ∙rȧ∙yȧ
living room / sitting room saa∙lȧ∙yȧ
kitchen kus∙si∙yȧ
Q Where is the room? kaa∙mȧ∙rȧ∙yȧ thi∙yén∙né ko∙hé∙dhȧ?

8 8. COLORS
List Of Colors
red ra∙thu
black ka∙lu
blue nil DEF: ‘ko∙lȧ’ also means “(tree) leaves” –
which are green color
green ko∙lȧ
orange thæmbi∙li DEF: ‘thæmbi∙li’ is also the word for
“king coconut” - which is orange color
pink rō∙sȧ
DEF: ‘rō∙sȧ’ also means “rose” (flower)
white su∙dhu
DEF: ‘ka∙ha’ also means “turmeric”
yellow ka∙ha (spice) – which is yellow color
Q Which color is this? mḗ∙kȧ koyi paa∙tȧ∙dhȧ? REMEMBER: ‘koyi’ = ‘mo∙nȧ’ = “which”
 This is red  mḗ∙kȧ ra∙thu paa∙tayi DEF: ‘paa∙tayi’ = “is (the) color”
 This is dark red  mḗ∙kȧ tha∙dhȧ ra∙thu paa∙tayi

 This is light red  mḗ∙kȧ laa ra∙thu paa∙tayi

9 9. FOOD & DRINKS

“Food” & “Drinks”
food kǣ∙mȧ
drinks bee∙mȧ
 I want food ma∙tȧ kǣ∙mȧ ō∙né

 I don’t want food ma∙tȧ kǣ∙mȧ é∙paa
“Hungry” & “Thirsty”

(am/is/are) hungry ba∙dȧ∙gi∙niyi
(am/is/are) not hungry ba∙dȧ∙gi∙ni nǣ
(am/is/are) thirsty thi∙ba∙hayi
(am/is/are) not thirsty thi∙ba∙ha nǣ
 I’m hungry ma∙tȧ ba∙dȧ∙gi∙niyi NOTE: When saying “I am hungry” we

use ‘ma∙tȧ’ (“to/for me”) instead of
 I’m not hungry ma∙tȧ ba∙dȧ∙gi∙ni nǣ ‘ma∙mȧ’ (“I”)

Main Food Items

rice bath
beef ha∙rak mas DEF: ‘ha∙rȧ∙ka’ = “bull”; ‘ha∙rak’ = “of the
bull”; ‘mas’ = “meat”
bread paan
chicken ku∙kul mas DEF: ‘ku∙ku∙la’ = “chicken” (bird); ‘ku∙kul’
= “of the chicken”; ‘mas’ = “meat”
eggs bith∙thȧ∙rȧ
fish maa∙lu
fruits pa∙lȧ∙thu∙ru DEF: ‘é∙lu∙wa’ = “goat”; ‘é∙lu’ = “of the
goat”. Note that in Sri Lanka “mutton”
meat mas generally refers to goat meat (and not
sheep meat)
mutton (goat meat) é∙lu mas
pork oo∙ru mas DEF: ‘oo∙ru’ = “(of the) pig”
seafood mu∙hu∙dhu kǣ∙mȧ DEF: ‘mu∙hu∙dhu’ = “of the sea”;

‘kǣ∙mȧ’ = “food”
vegetables e∙lȧ∙vȧ∙lu
 I want to eat rice ma∙tȧ bath kan∙nȧ ō∙né

 I don’t eat rice ma∙mȧ bath kan∙né nǣ
 I don’t want to eat rice ma∙tȧ bath kan∙nȧ ō∙né nǣ

Main Drink Items

tea thḗ
Sri Lankan tea lan∙kaa∙vé thḗ NOTE: When speaking casually we
usually drop the “Sri” in “Sri Lanka”. Also
coffee kō∙pi note that ‘lan∙kaa∙vé’ = “of Lanka”
milk ki∙ri
water va∙thu∙rȧ
bottled water bō∙thal va∙thu∙rȧ DEF: ‘bō∙thȧ∙lȧ∙yȧ’ = “the bottle”.
‘bō∙thal’ = “of the bottle”
fruit juice pa∙lȧ∙thu∙ru bee∙mȧ
alcohol li∙kȧr (“liquor”)
arrack a∙rak∙ku
beer bi∙yȧr (“beer”)
 I want to drink tea ma∙tȧ thḗ bon∙nȧ ō∙né

 I don’t drink tea ma∙mȧ thḗ bon∙né nǣ
 I don’t want to drink ma∙tȧ thḗ bon∙nȧ ō∙né nǣ
tea

1010. ANIMALS, BIRDS, & OTHER SPECIES
Groups Of Species
animal sa∙thaa
bird ku∙rul∙la
fish maa∙lu∙wa
insect kru∙mi∙ya
reptile u∙rȧ∙gȧ∙ya
serpent sar∙pȧ∙ya
 Sample Phrases  REMEMBER: Although we previously
saw that ‘ha∙ri’ = “okay” note that it can
 This animal is very mḗ sa∙thaa ha∙ri las∙sȧ∙nayi also mean “very” as it does in this
beautiful phrase. So remember: ‘hari’ = “okay” AS
WELL AS “very”.
Q What is this animal mḗ sa∙thaa∙tȧ sin∙hȧ∙lén ki∙yan∙né mo∙kak∙dhȧ?
called in Sinhala? DEF: ‘sin∙hȧ∙lén’ = “in Sinhala”
MEANWHILE IN LAZY BUT SMART LAND… Here’s the post on animals written by “you know who”:
http://www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com/names-of-animals-in-sinhala/

1111. DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS, & YEARS
“Day”
day dha∙vȧ∙sȧ
Q Which day is it today? a∙dhȧ dha∙vȧ∙sȧ mo∙kak∙dhȧ?
Adverbials Related To Days

today a∙dhȧ
yesterday ee∙yé
tomorrow hé∙tȧ
day before yesterday pé∙rḗ∙dha
day after tomorrow a∙nidh∙dha
Q On which day is it? ḗ∙kȧ thi∙yén∙né ka∙vȧ∙dha∙dhȧ?

Q On which day was it? ḗ∙kȧ thib∙bé ka∙vȧ∙dha∙dhȧ?
 It is today  ḗ∙kȧ a∙dhȧ thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va
 It was today  ḗ∙kȧ a∙dhȧ thib∙ba

Time Of Day
morning u∙dhḗ
noon / afternoon dha∙val
evening ha∙vȧ∙sȧ SYN: ‘hæn∙dhǣ∙vȧ’
night rǣ
last morning ee∙yé u∙dhḗ NOTE: Lit. “yesterday morning”
this morning a∙dhȧ u∙dhḗ NOTE: Lit. “today morning”
tomorrow morning hé∙tȧ u∙dhḗ

Q When is it? ḗ∙kȧ thi∙yén∙né koyi vé∙laa∙vé∙dhȧ?

Q When was it? ḗ∙kȧ thib∙bé koyi vé∙laa∙vé∙dhȧ?
 It is in the morning  ḗ∙kȧ u∙dhḗ thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va
 It was in the morning  ḗ∙kȧ u∙dhḗ thib∙ba
Expressions Of Time
now dhæn
earlier / before ka∙lin SYN: ‘is∙sél∙la’
later / after pas∙sé

 I’m coming now ma∙mȧ dhæn é∙nȧ∙va

 I’m going now ma∙mȧ dhæn ya∙nȧ∙va
Days Of The Week

Monday saňdhu∙dha DEF: ‘saňdhȧ/haňdhȧ’ = “The moon”
Tuesday aňgȧ∙ha∙ru∙waa∙dha DEF: ‘aňgȧ∙ha∙ru’ = “Mars”
Wednesday ba∙dhaa∙dha DEF: ‘bu∙dhȧ’ = “Mercury”
Thursday bra∙has∙pȧ∙thin∙dha DEF: ‘bra∙has∙pȧ∙thi’ = “Jupiter”
Friday si∙ku∙raa∙dha DEF: ‘si∙ku∙ru’ = “Venus”
Saturday sé∙nȧ∙su∙raa∙dha DEF: ‘sé∙nȧ∙su∙ru’ = “Saturn”
Sunday i∙ri∙dha DEF: ‘i∙rȧ’ = “The sun”
Q On which day is it? ḗ∙kȧ thi∙yén∙né ka∙vȧ∙dha∙dhȧ?

 It is on Monday  ḗ∙kȧ saňdhu∙dha thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va
 It is before Monday  ḗ∙kȧ saňdhu∙dha∙tȧ ka∙lin thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va
 It is after Monday  ḗ∙kȧ saňdhu∙dha∙tȧ pas∙sé thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va

“Weeks”, “Months”, & “Years”

week sa∙thi∙yȧ SYN: ‘su∙maa∙nȧ∙yȧ’
month maa∙sȧ∙yȧ
year auw∙rudh∙dhȧ
 This week mḗ sa∙thi∙yȧ DEF: ‘gi∙yȧ’ = “(the one) gone by”; as in,
“the week gone by”
 Last week gi∙yȧ sa∙thi∙yȧ
DEF: ‘é∙nȧ’ = “(the one) coming”; as in,
 Next week é∙nȧ sa∙thi∙yȧ “the week coming”. Also another
common way of saying it is ‘la∙bȧ∙nȧ
sa∙thi∙yȧ’ = “the week we will receive”

Months Of The Year

January ja∙nȧ∙vaa∙ri SYN: ‘su∙maa∙nȧ∙yȧ’
February pé∙bȧ∙rȧ∙vaa∙ri
March maar∙thu
April a∙prḗl
May mæyi
June joo∙ni
July joo∙li
August a∙gōs∙thu
September sæp∙thæm∙bȧr
October ok∙thō∙bȧr
November no∙væm∙bȧr
December dhé∙sæm∙bȧr
 It is in January ḗ∙kȧ ja∙nȧ∙vaa∙ri vȧ∙lȧ thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va

 It is before January ḗ∙kȧ ja∙nȧ∙vaa∙ri vȧ∙lȧ∙tȧ ka∙lin thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va
 It is after January ḗ∙kȧ ja∙nȧ∙vaa∙ri vȧ∙lȧ∙tȧ pas∙sé thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va

1212. CARDINAL NUMBERS (1-10)
Specifying A Quantity Of THINGS

1 (thing) é∙kak
2 (thing) dhé∙kak
3 (thing) thu∙nak
4 (thing) ha∙thȧ∙rak
5 (thing) pa∙hak
6 (thing) ha∙yak
7 (thing) ha∙thak
8 (thing) a∙tak
9 (thing) na∙mȧ∙yak
10 (thing) dha∙ha∙yak
Q How many are there? kee∙yak thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va∙dhȧ?

(things)
 There is 1  é∙kak thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va
 There are 2  dhé∙kak thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va
 There are 3  thu∙nak thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va

1313. ORDINAL NUMBERS (1ST-10TH)
Specifying The Position In A Series

first (1st) pa∙lȧ∙væ∙ni NOTE: These words apply to both
inanimate things and living beings
nd
second (2 ) dhé∙væ∙ni
third (3rd) thun∙væ∙ni
fourth (4th) ha∙thȧ∙rȧ∙væ∙ni
fifth (5th) pas∙væ∙ni
sixth (6th) ha∙yȧ∙væ∙ni
seventh (7th) hath∙væ∙ni
eighth (8th) a∙tȧ∙væ∙ni
ninth (9th) na∙mȧ∙væ∙ni
tenth (10th) dha∙ha∙væ∙ni
 This is the first one mḗ pa∙lȧ∙væ∙ni é∙kȧ

 This is the first time mḗ pa∙lȧ∙væ∙ni sæ∙rḗ

1414. ADJECTIVES
List Of Adjectives
(am/are/is) tall u∙sayi
(am/are/is) beautiful / las∙sȧ∙nayi
good-looking
(am/are/is) big lo∙kuyi
(am/are/is) fat ma∙ha∙thayi
(am/are/is) old va∙yȧ∙sȧ∙kayi
(am/are/is) small po∙diyi
(am/are/is) thin két∙tuyi
(am/are/is) young tha∙ru∙nayi
(am/are/is) bad na∙rȧ∙kayi
(am/are/is) good hoňdhayi
 The man is tall mi∙ni∙ha u∙sayi

 The woman is tall gæ∙hæ∙ni u∙sayi


15 16 17 18 19
DEMOLISHING SAYING “HELLO” STARTING EASY FINDING A PLACE
WISHING YOUR
THE LANGUAGE AND BEING NICE “ICE-BREAKER” TO STAY IN SRI
“LANKAN” FRIENDS
BARRIER TO PEOPLE CONVERSATIONS LANKA
24 23 22 21 20
DEALING WITH GOING SHOPPING STAYING FINDING YOUR
USING PUBLIC
(UNLIKELY?) (AND NOT GETTING CONNECTED WAY IN A CITY LIKE
TRANSPORT
EMERGENCIES RIPPED OFF) DURING YOUR TRIP COLOMBO
25 26
GOING TO A GETTING
DOCTOR WHO ONLY ROMANTIC WITH
SPEAKS SINHALA YOUR LOVE-MUFFIN

15. Demolishing The Language Barrier
1515. DEMOLISHING THE LANGUAGE BARRIER
Asking If Someone Speaks English

Q Do you speak English? o∙yaa in∙gree∙si ka∙thaa kȧ∙rȧ∙nȧ∙va∙dhȧ?
Q Does anyone speak kauw∙ru ha∙ri in∙gree∙si ka∙thaa kȧ∙rȧ∙nȧ∙va∙dhȧ?
English?
Saying That You Speak (or Don’t Speak) Sinhala

 I speak Sinhala ma∙mȧ sin∙hȧ∙lȧ ka∙thaa kȧ∙rȧ∙nȧ∙va
 I understand Sinhala ma∙tȧ sin∙hȧ∙lȧ thḗ∙ré∙nȧ∙va
 a little Sinhala  sin∙hȧ∙lȧ pod∙dak
 I don’t speak Sinhala ma∙mȧ sin∙hȧ∙lȧ ka∙thaa kȧ∙ran∙né nǣ
MEANWHILE IN LAZY BUT SMART LAND… Here’s a video tutorial (“The Language you Speak”) I show you how to tell
people which languages you speak as well as ask someone if they speak a specific language:
http://www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com/sinhala-video-tutorials/ep-005-language-you-speak-p1/

15. Demolishing The Language Barrier
When You Don’t Understand

Q Do you understand? o∙yaa∙tȧ thḗ∙ré∙nȧ∙va∙dhȧ?
 I understand  ma∙tȧ thḗ∙ré∙nȧ∙va
 don’t understand  thḗ∙rén∙né nǣ
 understood  thḗ∙ru∙na
Q Can you speak a little o∙yaa∙tȧ tha∙wȧ pod∙dak hé∙min ka∙thaa kȧ∙ran∙nȧ
more slowly? pu∙lu∙wan∙dhȧ?
 say that again  ḗ∙kȧ aayith ki∙yan∙nȧ DEF: ‘aayith’ = “again”; so this literally
reads “Could you say that again?”
 write it in English  ḗ∙kȧ in∙gree∙si∙yén li∙yȧ∙la dhén∙nȧ
DEF: ‘li∙yȧ∙la dhén∙nȧ’ = “write and give”
Learning Sinhala
 I’m learning Sinhala ma∙mȧ sin∙hȧ∙lȧ i∙gé∙nȧ gan∙nȧ∙va
 I learn Sinhala from ma∙mȧ sin∙hȧ∙lȧ i∙gé∙nȧ gan∙né ‘Dilshan’∙gén Hey, you can’t blame a brother for trying
Dilshan to self-promote, now can you? 
Q How do you say […] in […] sin∙hȧ∙lén ki∙yan∙né ko∙ho∙mȧ∙dhȧ?

Sinhala?

16. Saying “Hello” And Being Nice To People
1616. SAYING “HELLO” AND BEING NICE TO PEOPLE
Informal Greetings
 Hello! hé∙lo (“Hello”) NOTE: Some might say it as ‘ha∙lō’
Q How are you? ko∙ho∙mȧ∙dhȧ? REMEMBER: We saw earlier that

‘ko∙ho∙mȧ∙dhȧ?’ = “How?”
 Fine  hoňdhin in∙nȧ∙va
NOTE: Lit. “(I am) being fine”. You could
also just say ‘hoňdhayi’ which implies “It
MEANWHILE IN LAZY BUT SMART LAND… To watch my video tutorial on “Greetings & Responses” click on the is fine (for me)”
following link: http://www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com/sinhala-video-tutorials/ep-001-greetings-responses/
Formal Greetings
 (Traditional formal aa∙yu∙bō∙wan! DEF: Literally means “May your life span
greeting) be long”. Isn’t that super nice?
 Good morning! su∙bȧ u∙dhǣ∙sȧ∙nak! NOTE: “Good morning”, etc. are

generally not used in normal
 afternoon  dha∙vaa∙lȧ∙yak conversation, so you might never use it.
I put it only because so many of you
 evening  sæn∙dhǣ∙vak often ask me how to say it.
 night  raath∙ri∙yak
Saying “Good-bye”
 Good-bye gi∙hil∙la én∙nam DEF: Lit. “I shall leave and return”

17. Starting Easy “Ice-Breaker” Conversations
1717. STARTING EASY “ICE-BREAKER” CONVERSATIONS
Name
Q What is your name? o∙yaa∙gé na∙mȧ mo∙kak∙dhȧ? NOTE: Lit. “your name, what?” (the “is”
is implied)
 My name is [Dilshan]  ma∙gé na∙mȧ [Dilshan]
NOTE: Lit. “my name, Dilshan” (the “am”
is implied)
 family name  vaa∙sȧ∙ga∙mȧ
Q Who are you? o∙yaa kauw∙dhȧ?
Country
Q Where are you from? o∙yaa ko∙hén∙dhȧ?
Q Which country are you o∙yaa koyi ra∙tén∙dhȧ?
from?
 I am from Sri Lanka  ma∙mȧ shree lan∙kaa∙vén
 from America  æ∙mȧ∙ri∙kaa∙vén
 from Australia  os∙trḗ∙li∙yaa∙vén
 from England  én∙gȧ∙lan∙thȧ∙yén
 from India  in∙dhi∙yaa∙vén

17. Starting Easy “Ice-Breaker” Conversations
MEANWHILE IN LAZY BUT SMART LAND… Your country is not on the list? Relax, you’ll probably find it in a post I did
on the topic (click on the link below). If it’s not there, leave a comment and I’ll get back to you:
http://www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com/names-of-countries-in-sinhala/
Age
Q How old are you? 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?
MEANWHILE IN LAZY BUT SMART LAND… If you’re interested, in the following video tutorial (“Your age in Sinhala”)
I explain the construction of the Sinhala phrases for “What is your age?” and “My age is…”:
http://www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com/sinhala-video-tutorials/ep-004-your-age-in-sinhala/

18. Wishing Your “Lankan” Friends
1818. WISHING YOUR “LANKAN” FRIENDS
For Their Birthdays

 Happy birthday! su∙bȧ u∙pan dhi∙nȧ∙yak vḗ∙va!
MEANWHILE IN LAZY BUT SMART LAND… Before you run off to wish that Sri Lankan friend of yours, you might want
to get the pronunciation right. Click on the link to listen to me say it and also learn more birthday-related phrases:
http://www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com/how-to-say-happy-birthday-in-sinhala/
For Special Holidays

 Happy new year! su∙bȧ a∙luth auw∙rudh∙dhak vḗ∙va!
 Happy Sinhalese & su∙bȧ sin∙hȧ∙la haa dhé∙mȧ∙lȧ a∙luth auw∙rudh∙dhak
Tamil New Year’s Day vḗ∙va!
 Merry Christmas! su∙bȧ nath∙thȧ∙lak vḗ∙va!
MEANWHILE IN LAZY BUT SMART LAND… I’ve done not one, not two, but THREE blog posts related to special
holidays:
 For Christmas wishes: http://www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com/merry-christmas-in-sinhala-happy-new-year/
 For a COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE to the Sinhalese & Tamil New Year (as you can see, I’m quite proud of it,
hence the large-caps): http://www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com/sinhalese-tamil-new-year-greetings-in-
sinhala/
 For Valentines wishes: http://www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com/happy-valentines-day-messages-in-sinhala/

18. Wishing Your “Lankan” Friends
For Their Upcoming Travels

 Have a safe trip! pa∙rés∙sȧ∙min gi∙hil∙la én∙nȧ! NOTE: Lit. “Go carefully/safely and
return”
 Bon voyage / Have a su∙bȧ ga∙mȧ∙nak!
nice trip!
For When They’re Feeling Ill

 Get well soon! ik∙mȧ∙nin sa∙nee∙pȧ vén∙nȧ!
For Good Luck

 Good luck! / All the ja∙yȧ vḗ∙va!
best!

19. Finding A Place To Stay in Sri Lanka
1919. FINDING A PLACE TO STAY IN SRI LANKA
Looking For A Place To Stay

 I’m looking for a place ma∙mȧ na∙vȧ∙thin∙nȧ thæ∙nak ho∙yȧ∙nȧ∙va
to stay
 a hotel  hō∙tȧ∙lȧ∙yak
Q Do you have a room? kaa∙mȧ∙rȧ∙yak thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va∙dhȧ?

Q Can you give me a ma∙tȧ kaa∙mȧ∙rȧ∙yak dhén∙nȧ pu∙lu∙wan∙dhȧ?
room?
 rooms  kaa∙mȧ∙rȧ
Q How much for a room? kaa∙mȧ∙rȧ∙yȧ∙kȧ∙tȧ kee∙yȧ∙dhȧ?
Making Room-Related Requests

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

20. Finding Your Way In A City Like Colombo
2020. FINDING YOUR WAY IN A CITY LIKE COLOMBO
Locating A Place
Q Where is the hospital? is∙pi∙ri∙thaa∙lȧ∙yȧ thi∙yén∙né ko∙hé∙dhȧ?
Q Where is the closest laňgȧ∙mȧ is∙pi∙ri∙thaa∙lȧ∙yȧ thi∙yén∙né ko∙hé∙dhȧ?
hospital?
 beach  beech (“beach”) é∙kȧ SYN: ‘væl∙lȧ’
 city center  tauw∙mȧ
 restaurant  rés∙to∙rȧnt (“restaurant”) é∙kȧ
 shopping center  sho∙ping sén∙tȧr (“shopping center”) é∙kȧ
 supermarket  su∙pȧr∙maa∙kȧt (“supermarket”) é∙kȧ
Q Can you show me how é∙hé∙tȧ ya∙nȧ hæ∙ti ma∙tȧ pén∙nan∙nȧ pu∙lu∙wan∙dhȧ?
to get there?

20. Finding Your Way In A City Like Colombo
The Directions You Might Get

 Turn right dha∙ku∙nȧ∙tȧ hæ∙rén∙nȧ DEF: ‘dha∙ku∙nȧ’ = “right”; ‘dha∙ku∙nȧ∙tȧ’
= “to the right”
 left  va∙mȧ∙tȧ
DEF: ‘va∙mȧ’ = “left”; ‘va∙mȧ∙tȧ’ = “to the
 back  aa∙pa∙hu left”
 Go there é∙hé∙tȧ yan∙nȧ
 straight  ké∙lin
 straight all the way  ké∙lin∙mȧ
 On the right side dha∙ku∙nu pæth∙thé

 It is on the right side ḗ∙kȧ thi∙yén∙né dha∙ku∙nu pæth∙thé
 left  vam
 It is located inside ḗ∙kȧ thi∙yén∙né æ∙thu∙lé
 outside  é∙li∙yé
 nearby  laňgȧ
 near the  han∙dhi∙yȧ laňgȧ

intersection /
junction

21. Using Public Transport
2121. USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Going In A Taxi or “Tuk-Tuk”

Before Your Journey
Q Where can I get a taxi? ma∙tȧ tæk∙si∙yak gan∙nȧ pu∙lu∙wan ko∙hén∙dhȧ?
 a “tuk-tuk” / three-  three wee∙lȧr (“three wheeler”) é∙kak

wheeler
Q How much is it to go to […]∙tȧ yan∙nȧ kee∙yȧ∙dhȧ?

[…]?
 (It’s) too expensive! gaa∙nȧ vǣ∙diyi! DEF: Lit. “The fare is too much”
Q Does this have a meter? mḗ∙ké mee∙tȧ∙rȧ∙yak thi∙yé∙nȧ∙va∙dhȧ? NOTE: I personally only take tuk-tuks
with meters in them. No ambiguity
about the fare at the end of the journey
 I want to go to […] ma∙tȧ […]∙tȧ yan∙nȧ ō∙né
 I want to go here ma∙tȧ mé∙hé∙tȧ yan∙nȧ ō∙né NOTE: To be said while showing a
written address or a map
 I don’t want to go here ma∙tȧ mé∙hé∙tȧ yan∙nȧ ō∙né nǣ
 there  é∙hé∙tȧ
 Let’s go ya∙mu SYN: ‘yang’

During Your Journey
 Turn right dha∙ku∙nȧ∙tȧ hæ∙rén∙nȧ
 left  va∙mȧ∙tȧ
 back  aa∙pa∙hu
 Go slowly hé∙min yan∙nȧ
 fast/quickly  hayi∙yén
 carefully  pa∙rés∙sȧ∙min
 straight  ké∙lin
 straight all the way  ké∙lin∙mȧ
 Wait here mé∙hé in∙nȧ
 there  é∙hé
 a little / a moment  pod∙dak
 for me (to return)  ma∙mȧ é∙nȧ∙kan
At The End Of Your Journey
Q How much is the fare? gaa∙nȧ kee∙yȧ∙dhȧ? DEF: ‘gaa∙nȧ’ = “the fare”
 Keep the i∙thu∙ru sal∙li thi∙yaa gan∙nȧ

change/balance

Going In A Bus, Train, Or Plane

Finding The Bus Stop, Train Station, Or Airport
Q Where is the bus bas hōlt (“bus halt”) é∙kȧ thi∙yén∙né ko∙hé∙dhȧ?
stop/halt?
 the train station  kōch∙chi stḗ∙shȧ∙mȧ
 the airport  é∙yaa∙pōt (“airport”) é∙kȧ
Asking The Schedule & Buying Tickets
Q What time is the next ee∙laňgȧ bas (“bus”) é∙kȧ thi∙yén∙né kee∙yȧ∙tȧ∙dhȧ?
bus?
Q What time is the last an∙thi∙mȧ bas (“bus”) é∙kȧ thi∙yén∙né kee∙yȧ∙tȧ∙dhȧ?
bus?
 train  kōch∙chi∙yȧ
 flight  flayit (“flight”) é∙kȧ
Q Where does this bus go mḗ bas (“bus”) é∙kȧ yan∙né ko∙hé∙tȧ∙dhȧ?

to?
 train  kōch∙chi∙yȧ
 flight  flayit (“flight”) é∙kȧ

 I want a ticket ma∙tȧ ti∙kȧt (“ticket”) é∙kak ō∙né
 a one-way ticket  yan∙nȧ vi∙thȧ∙rak ti∙kȧt (“ticket”) é∙kak
 a return ticket /  yan∙nayi én∙nayi ti∙kȧt (“ticket”) é∙kak NOTE: Lit: “A ticket to go and come”
round-trip

22. Staying Connected During Your Trip
2222. STAYING CONNECTED DURING YOUR TRIP
Email & Internet

Q From where can I check ma∙tȧ ma∙gé ee∙mḗl (“email”) ba∙laa gan∙nȧ pu∙lu∙wan
my email? ko∙hén∙dhȧ?
 access the internet  in∙tȧ∙nét (“internet”) é∙kȧ paa∙vich∙chi kȧ∙ran∙nȧ
Q Is there WIFI here? mé∙hé vayi∙fayi (“WIFI) thi∙yé∙nȧ∙vadhȧ?
Mobile Phones
 My mobile phone has ma∙gé mo∙bayil (“mobile”) é∙kḗ sig∙nȧl (“signal”) nǣ
no signal/reception
 no more  chaaj (“charge”) é∙kȧ i∙vȧ∙rayi

charge/battery

23. Going Shopping (And Not Getting Ripped Off)
2323. GOING SHOPPING (AND NOT GETTING RIPPED OFF)
Asking The Price

Q How much is this? mḗ∙kȧ kee∙yȧ∙dhȧ?
Bargaining
 This is too expensive mḗ∙kȧ ga∙nan vǣ∙diyi
Q What’s your lowest a∙du∙mȧ gaa∙nȧ kee∙yȧ∙dhȧ? NOTE: A common way of starting the
price? bargaining discussion in Sri Lanka
Purchasing Something
 I’ll take/buy this ma∙mȧ mḗ∙kȧ gan∙nam
 I want one ma∙tȧ é∙kak ō∙né
Refusing An Offer
 I don’t want this ma∙tȧ mḗ∙kȧ é∙paa
 I’m just looking ma∙mȧ ni∙kan ba∙lȧ∙nȧ∙va vi∙thȧ∙rayi

24. Dealing With (Unlikely?) Emergencies
2424. DEALING WITH (UNLIKELY?) EMERGENCIES
Asking People For Help

 Help me! ma∙tȧ u∙dhauw kȧ∙ran∙nȧ! NOTE: Hope you won’t have to use any
of these but still, they’re important to at
Q Can I use your phone? ma∙tȧ o∙yaa∙gé fōn (“phone”) é∙kȧ paa∙vich∙chi kȧ∙ran∙na least know.
pu∙lu∙wan∙dhȧ?
Calling For Specialized 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
 the fire department  fa∙yȧ bri∙gḗd (“fire brigade”) é∙kȧ∙tȧ
 the hospital  iss∙pi∙ri∙thaa∙lȧ∙yȧ∙tȧ

24. Dealing With (Unlikely?) Emergencies
Dealing With A Thief

 Thief! ho∙rék!
 Stop him/her! é∙yaa∙vȧ na∙vath∙than∙nȧ!
 I don’t have money ma∙mȧ gaa∙vȧ sal∙li nǣ
with me
Losing Your Way

 I’m lost ma∙mȧ a∙tha∙rȧ∙mang vé∙laa
Dealing With Someone Bothering You

 Please go away! ka∙ru∙naa∙kȧ∙rȧ∙la mé∙hén yan∙nȧ!
 Please leave me alone! ka∙ru∙naa∙kȧ∙rȧ∙la ma∙tȧ ma∙gé paa∙du∙wé in∙nȧ dhén∙nȧ!
Other Emergency Expressions

 Fire! gin∙nak!
 Be careful! / Watch out! ba∙laa∙gé∙nȧ!

25. Going To A Doctor Who Only Speaks Sinhala
2525. GOING TO A DOCTOR WHO ONLY SPEAKS SINHALA
Finding A Doctor (Or Dentist)

 I urgently need/want a ma∙tȧ va∙haa∙mȧ dhos∙thȧ∙rȧ ké∙nék∙vȧ ō∙né!
doctor!
 an ambulance  æm∙byu∙lȧns (“ambulance”) é∙kak
 a dentist  dhath dhos∙thȧ∙rȧ ké∙nék∙vȧ
Typical Doctor Questions NOTE: I personally believe that most

doctors in cities will speak English but I
Q
did this section just in case…
What happened? mo∙kak∙dhȧ vu∙nḗ?
Q What’s the problem? mo∙kak∙dhȧ a∙maa∙ru∙wȧ? DEF: ‘a∙maa∙ru∙wȧ’ = “difficulty”
Q Where does it hurt? ko∙hé∙dhȧ ri∙dhén∙né?

Q What is your blood o∙yaa∙gé lḗ var∙gȧ∙yȧ mo∙kak∙dhȧ? NOTE: In Sinhala we use the same
type? standard blood types (A+, O-, AB+, etc.)

25. Going To A Doctor Who Only Speaks Sinhala
Common Problems
 My body hurts ma∙gé æňgȧ ri∙dhé∙nȧ∙va
 arm  a∙thȧ SYN: ‘baa∙hu∙wȧ’
 back  pi∙tȧ
 chest  pa∙pu∙wȧ
 head  o∙lu∙wȧ
 knee  dha∙nȧ hi∙sȧ
 leg  ka∙ku∙lȧ
 I’m feeling ill ma∙tȧ sa∙nee∙pȧ nǣ DEF: ‘sa∙nee∙pȧ nǣ’ = “not well”
 cold  see∙thȧ∙layi
 feverish  u∙nȧ va∙gḗ
 hot  ras∙néyi
 tired  ma∙han∙siyi
Specific Medical Situations

 I’m having a heart ma∙tȧ haat ȧ∙tæk (“heart attack”) é∙kak é∙nȧ∙va
attack
 I’m having a (brain) ma∙tȧ strōk (“stroke”) é∙kak é∙nȧ∙va
stroke

26. Getting Romantic With Your Love-Muffin
2626. GETTING ROMANTIC WITH YOUR LOVE-MUFFIN
“Love-Dovey” Phrases
 I love you ma∙mȧ o∙yaa∙tȧ aa∙dhȧ∙réyi
 I like you ma∙mȧ o∙yaa∙tȧ kæ∙mȧ∙thiyi SYN: ‘kæ∙mȧ∙thiyi’ = ‘aa∙sayi’ =
“like/likes”
 I miss you ma∙tȧ o∙yaa næ∙thu∙wȧ paa∙luyi
Giving Compliments To Your “Sweetheart”

 You are very good- o∙yaa ha∙ri las∙sȧ∙nayi NOTE: Applies to both male & female
looking / beautiful
 handsome  ka∙dȧ∙va∙sam NOTE: Applies only to a male
 kind  ka∙ru∙naa∙van∙thayi
MEANWHILE IN LAZY BUT SMART LAND… To discover even more lovey-dovey phrases that you can use on your poor
unsuspecting Sri Lankan sweetheart, click on the following link:
http://www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com/i-love-you-in-sinhala/

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100 Lazy But Smart Sinhala Words & Phrases – Dilshan Jayasinha

An extract from my private collection of the most useful

of The Lazy But Smart Sinhala Blog

Copyright © 2018 JAY ONLINE (PRIVATE) LIMITED. All Rights Reserved

100 Lazy But Smart Sinhala Words & Phrases

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

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Go to Table of Contents Go to The Previous Page You Were On Go to www.lazybutsmartsinhala.com i

A MESSAGE FROM YOURS TRULY…

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NOW, ABOUT THESE WORDS & PHRASES…

TYPE OF SINHALA USED

INFORMAL vs. FORMAL “YOU” POLITE WORDS BORROWED ENGLISH WORDS

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PRONUNCIATION GUIDE FOR THE TRANSLITERATION I HAVE USED

GROUP ‘A’ GROUP ‘E’ GROUP ‘O’

é as in… end o as in… only

GROUP ‘I’ GROUP ‘U’

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TABLE OF CONTENTS (CLICKABLE)

THIS BOOK COMES IN 2 SECTIONS: ........................................................................................................................................................ - 1 -

SECTION 2: COMMON SINHALA PHRASES ............................................................................................................................................ - 28 -

PREVIEW OF FREE BONUS MATERIAL................................................................................................................................................... - 52 -

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THIS BOOK COMES IN 2 SECTIONS:

SECTION 1: FREQUENTLY USED SINHALA WORDS

SECTION 2: COMMON SINHALA PHRASES

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SECTION 1: FREQUENTLY USED SINHALA

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SECTION 1: FREQUENTLY USED SINHALA WORDS

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1 1. YES, NO, AND OKAY

 Sample Phrases  DEF: ‘ma∙mȧ’ = “I”. The phrase literally

“Okay” (When Giving Approval Or Acceptance)

 Okay (go ahead) haa

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 Please come ka∙ru∙naa∙kȧ∙rȧ∙la én∙nȧ DEF: ‘én∙nȧ’ = polite command to “come”

 Please go ka∙ru∙naa∙kȧ∙rȧ∙la yan∙nȧ DEF: ‘yan∙nȧ’ = polite command to “go”

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“I’m Sorry” / “Excuse Me”

 I’m sorry NOTE: We used the same expression

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3 3. INTRO TO PERSONAL PRONOUNS

 I am [Dilshan] ma∙mȧ [Dilshan]

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Q What is this? mḗ∙kȧ mo∙kak∙dhȧ? DEF: ‘mo∙kak∙dhȧ?’ = “what?”. I will

“Here” & “There”

there é∙hé SYN: ‘é∙thæ∙nȧ’

 Wait here mé∙hé in∙nȧ DEF: ‘in∙nȧ’ = polite command to “wait”

 Wait there é∙hé in∙nȧ

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to here mé∙hé∙tȧ SYN: ‘mé∙thȧ∙nȧ∙tȧ’

to there é∙hé∙tȧ SYN: ‘é∙thȧ∙nȧ∙tȧ’

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5 5. “WH” QUESTION WORDS

Q Why is that? æyi ḗ?

Q Where are you? o∙yaa ko∙hé∙dhȧ?

Q Who are you? o∙yaa kauw∙dhȧ?

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Q What is this? mḗ∙kȧ mo∙kak∙dhȧ?

when (what time)? kee∙yȧ∙tȧ∙dhȧ?

Q When are you coming? o∙yaa én∙né kee∙yȧ∙tȧ∙dhȧ?