Essential Sinhala & Tamil Travel Phrases for Sri Lanka
To help you navigate Sri Lanka, here are key travel phrases organized by category. Each phrase is given in English, with Sinhala (transliterated) and Tamil (transliterated) equivalents.
- Greetings & Politeness
These basic greetings and polite expressions will help you make a good first impression and navigate everyday interactions: English Sinhala (Latin) Tamil (Latin) Hello Ayubowan justwravel.com Vanakkam justwravel.com Good morning Subha udesanak justwravel.com Kaalai vanakkam justwravel.com Good evening Subha sandhyawak justwravel.com Maalai vanakkam justwravel.com Good night Subha rathriyak justwravel.com Iravu vanakkam justwravel.com How are you? Kohomada? justwravel.com Eppadi irukkirirgal? justwravel.com I’m fine, thank you. Hari, bohoma sthuthi. justwravel.com Naan nandraaga irukkiren, nandri. justwravel.com Thank you (very much) Bohoma sthuthi justwravel.com Nandri justwravel.com Please Karunakarala justwravel.com Dayavu seithu justwravel.com Sorry / Excuse me Samawenna justwravel.com Mannikkavum justwravel.com Do you speak English? Oyā Ingrisi kathā karanawada? justwravel.com Neengal Angilam pesuveergala? justwravel.com I don’t understand Mata therungannē nææ justwravel.com Enakku puriyala justwravel.com Speak slowly, please Sænta kathā karanna justwravel.com Medhu pesa vendum justwravel.com You’re welcome Oyaava sādareyen piligannuwa evaneos.com Varaverkiren justwravel.com Goodbye (informal) Gihin ennam justwravel.com Poitu varen justwravel.com
Note: “Ayubowan” (Sinhala) and “Vanakkam” (Tamil) are formal greetings meaning “may you live long,” often accompanied by a slight bow and palms pressed together justwravel.com . In Sinhala, the word for “please” (karunakarala) usually comes at the beginning of a request, not the end covermore.com.au . Sri Lankans appreciate polite attempts to speak their language – always start with a smile and use these courteous phrases. 2. Asking for Directions
When you need to find your way, these phrases will come in handy. Start by politely asking for help, then ask for the location you need: English Sinhala (Latin) Tamil (Latin) Excuse me, can you help me? (Samawenna) Mata udaw karannada? justwravel.com (Mannikkavum) Enakku udhavi seiveergala? justwravel.com Where is the bathroom? Bath kamarey koheda? justwravel.com Kazhuvina arai engae? justwravel.com Where is the hotel? Hoṭalē koheda? evaneos.com Hotel engae? (Otel engae?) Where is the police station? (if needed) Police sthanaya koheda? (see note) Police station engae? (see note)
Note: It’s polite to begin by saying “Samawenna/Mannikkavum” (Excuse me) before asking for help. The word “koheda?” in Sinhala and “enga(e)?” in Tamil mean “where?” justwravel.com . Locals are generally very helpful to lost travelers – don’t hesitate to ask. Pointing to a map or landmark can also clarify your request justwravel.com . (Police stations are usually called “police sthanaya” in Sinhala, but in urgent situations you might directly use the emergency phrases below.) 3. Ordering Food & Dining
Whether at a restaurant or street stall, these phrases will help you order and communicate your dietary needs: English Sinhala (Latin) Tamil (Latin) Can I get the menu? Menu ekak laba ganna puluwanda? justwravel.com Menu kattidam kudunga justwravel.com Water, please Wathura, karunakarala justwravel.com Thanni kudunga justwravel.com The bill, please Ginumak, karunakarala justwravel.com Kanakku kudunga justwravel.com I’m vegetarian Mama niramansa vaemai evaneos.com Naan saivam mozhitamil.com Not spicy, please Kauḷau baḍu tævarā evaneos.com (no spices) Kāramillai, dayavu seithu (no spice) mozhitamil.com It’s delicious! Eya ithaa rasai! evaneos.com Suvaiyaga irukirathu! mozhitamil.com
Note: Sri Lankan cuisine can be quite spicy. Saying “Kauḷau baḍu tævarā” or “Kāramillai” means “no spice” – use this to request milder food evaneos.com . “Naan saivam” clearly states “I am vegetarian” mozhitamil.com , which locals will understand (many restaurants have vegetarian options). Showing appreciation – e.g. saying “it’s delicious” with a smile – is always welcome and might earn you a friendly grin in return! 4. Shopping (Bargaining & Prices)
In markets and shops, these phrases will help you inquire about prices and negotiate politely: English Sinhala (Latin) Tamil (Latin) How much is this? Meeka kiyeda? justwravel.com Idhu evvalavu? justwravel.com It’s too expensive! Milavedi! (lit. “price is high”) evaneos.com Mika vilai uyarndhadhu! mozhitamil.com Can you lower the price? G harga adu karanna puluwanda? evaneos.com (Oba adu karanna puluwanda?) Vilaiyai kuraikka mudiyuma? mozhitamil.com I’d like to buy this Mama me ganna oné justwravel.com Idhai vaanga virumbukiren justwravel.com I’m just looking Mama balanna yanava (just looking) evaneos.com Naan summa paarkkiren mozhitamil.com
Note: Bargaining is common in local markets. Start by asking “How much is this?” justwravel.com . If the price is high, a polite “It’s too expensive” with a smile can open negotiations. You can then ask if they can “lower the price.” If you’re not interested in buying, a friendly “No, thank you” (e.g. say “néhé, sthuthi” in Sinhala or “illai, nandri” in Tamil) is better than silence. Vendors appreciate politeness – staying friendly and respectful will make bargaining more enjoyable and successful. 5. Emergencies & Safety
Hopefully you won’t need these, but it’s wise to know a few phrases for urgent situations: English Sinhala (Latin) Tamil (Latin) Help! (urgent) Udaw karanna! justwravel.com Udhavi! justwravel.com Call the police! Polisiyawa call karanna! justwravel.com Police-ku phone seiyungal! justwravel.com I need a doctor. Mama dostara balanna oné evaneos.com Enakku Doctor thēvai mozhitamil.com mozhitamil.com I’m lost Mama nivanata yanawa justwravel.com Naan tholaindhu poitten justwravel.com
Note: The national emergency numbers in Sri Lanka are 119 (police) and 110 or 1990 (ambulance). If you urgently need help, shouting “Udaw karanna!” or “Udhavi!” (meaning “Help!”) will get immediate attention justwravel.com . To ask someone to contact authorities, use “Call the police” as above – locals will understand the word “police.” For medical issues, asking for a “doctor” (dostara in Sinhala) will prompt assistance. Sri Lankans are very hospitable; in an emergency, they will often help you or guide you to the nearest hospital (“rohala” in Sinhala). Stay calm and speak clearly. 6. Transport (Buses, Trains & Taxis)
Use these phrases when dealing with local transportation – they’ll help you find stops and communicate with drivers: English Sinhala (Latin) Tamil (Latin) Where is the bus stop? Bus stand eka koheda? (bus stop where?) Bus nilayam enga? talkpal.ai Where is the train station? Dumriya sthānaya koheda? evaneos.com Rayil nilaiyam engae? mozhitamil.com How much to go to the airport? Airport-ta kiyeda? justwravel.com Vimāna nilaiyam sella evvalavu? mozhitamil.com Stop here, please Mehe nawanna, karunākara talkpal.ai Inga niruthungo, dayavu seithu mozhitamil.com Note: In cities, many taxis and tuk-tuks have meters – it’s best to ask the driver to use it or agree on a fare before starting the ride. You can ask “How much to go to the airport?” (or any destination) to negotiate a price justwravel.com . Buses and trains are usually identified in English, but asking locals “Bus stand eka koheda?” or “Bus nilayam enga?” will help you find the stop talkpal.ai . When you’re in a taxi or tuk-tuk, “Stop here, please” (Mehe nawanna karunākara / Inga niruthungo) lets the driver know where to drop you off talkpal.ai . As always, a smile and polite tone go a long way in any language!