Free thinker. Shameless photo poser. Obnoxious douchebag
Please excuse that guy in the picture, for he knows not what he does…
Which is why he asks his wife to take pics of him posing like an A-grade A-hole.
Bless her for having the serenity to accept the things about her husband that she cannot change, the courage to change the things she can, and the patience to put up with all his vain nonsense.
(All these references… Does it show that I went to an all-boys Catholic school?)
Alright, enough. Let’s focus on the main reason you’re here:
To learn how to show off your Sinhala to locals when you’re on a Sri Lankan beach >>>
Structure Of This Post
PART 1
1. Sinhala Word For “Beach (1)
| beach | “beach” é∙kȧ1 |
1 Proper Sinhala word for “beach” = ‘væl∙lȧ’
2. “Sea” & Related Words (3)
| sea | mu∙hu∙dhȧ | |
| wave | ræl∙lȧ | |
| waves | ræ∙li |
3. Geography Related (4)
| coast | vé∙rȧ∙lȧ∙bȧ∙dȧ prȧ∙dhḗ∙shȧ∙yȧ2 | |
| island | dhoo∙pȧ∙thȧ | |
| lagoon | ka∙lȧ∙pu∙wȧ | |
| reef | “reef” é∙kȧ3 |
2 For “coast” you could also just say ‘mu∙hu∙dhu pæth∙thȧ’
3 Proper Sinhala word for reef = ‘pa∙rȧ∙yȧ’
4. “Natural” Things On The Beach (5)
| coconut trees | pol gas | |
| coral | hi∙ri∙gal4 | |
| sand | væ∙li | |
| shell | sip∙pi ka∙tu∙wȧ | |
| shells | sip∙pi ka∙tu |
4 For “coral” you could also just say ‘coral’
5. Swimwear & Swimming Gear (7)
| bikini | “bikini” é∙kȧ | |
| diving mask | “diving mask” é∙kȧ5 | |
| flippers | fins | |
| goggles | “goggles” | |
| snorkel | “snorkel” é∙kȧ | |
| swimming trunks | “swimming trunk” é∙kȧ | |
| swimsuit | “swimsuit” é∙kȧ |
5 Another word for “diving mask” = ki∙mi∙dhum “mask” é∙kȧ
6. Beach Clothes & Accessories (10)
| bag | “bag” é∙kȧ6 | |
| beach umbrella | “beach umbrella” é∙kȧ | |
| flip flops | sé∙rép∙pu | |
| hat | thop∙pi∙yȧ | |
| shorts | ko∙tȧ ka∙li∙sȧ∙mȧ | |
| sunbed | “sunbed” é∙kȧ | |
| sunglasses | “sunglasses” | |
| sunscreen / sun cream | “sun cream” | |
| t-shirt | “t-shirt” é∙kȧ | |
| towel | thu∙waa∙yȧ |
6 Another word for “bag” = ‘mal∙lȧ’
7. Beach Activities (11)
| building a sand castle | væ∙li maa∙li∙gaa∙vak ha∙dhȧ∙nȧ∙va7 | |
| diving | mu∙hu∙dhé ki∙mi∙dhé∙nȧ∙va | |
| getting a massage | “massage” é∙kak gan∙nȧ∙va8 | |
| flying a kite | sa∙run∙gȧ∙lȧ∙yak a∙ri∙nȧ∙va | |
| lying down | haan∙si vé∙nȧ∙va | |
| playing | sél∙lam kȧ∙rȧ∙nȧ∙va | |
| sleeping | ni∙dhaa gan∙nȧ∙va | |
| bathing | mu∙hu∙dhé naa∙nȧ∙va9 | |
| snorkeling | “snorkeling” kȧ∙rȧ∙nȧ∙va | |
| swimming | pee∙nȧ∙nȧ∙va | |
| sunbathing | auw∙wȧ tha∙pi∙nȧ∙va |
7 ‘ha∙dhȧ∙nȧ∙va’ = “building/making”; ‘væ∙li’ = “sand”; ‘maa∙li∙gaa∙vak’ = “a castle”
8 Proper Sinhala word for “massage” = ‘sam∙baa∙hȧ∙nȧ∙yȧ’
9 ‘naa∙nȧ∙va’ = “bathing”; ‘mu∙hu∙dhé’ = “in the sea”
Well that’s it folks…
Stay tunes for Part 2 that’s coming next week.
In the meantime, ask me a question. Anything.
(Bonus points if it’s related to this post. Negative points if it’s about my big fat ego)
What about… “let me bury you in the sand.” Or “bury me in the sand” it seemse to be a popular activity with those I frequent beaches in Sri Lanka with?
And would flip flops be the same as slippers? I say flip flops and no one knows what I am talking about. Or is there another Sinhala word for slippers?
Great post and relevant! Thanks as always!
Sorry Clarissa, don’t know how I missed your question until now.
Yes, by “flip flops” I mean slippers.
Regarding the phrases you asked, I’ll need to ask around because what comes to my mind now makes it sound morbid like you want to be buried at the beach, which is not what you asked for. Will get back to you with a more playful version.
Sorry again about the delay.
Hi Dilshan,
What was the answer to Clarissa’s question? I mean, “let me bury you in the sand? “or “bury me in the sand” ?
Thank you and thanks for all your lessons and comments. Its much more fun this way!!!
Im finding the Sinhala numbers really hard to learn, especially get stuck with 4,6,7 and 8, and all the multiples of 10 of these numbers.
The rest i’m getting on ok with.