What is the official language of the Maldives?
The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi, written in its own script, Thaana. English is widely used in schools and tourism.
Dhivehi
- Dhivehi, also called Maldivian, is the official language of the Maldives.
- It is an Indo-Aryan language, closely related to Sinhala but not mutually intelligible with it.
- It is written in the Thaana script, from right to left. Wikipedia says it has been written in Thaana since the 16th century.
- Wikipedia gives 504,829 native speakers in 2022. The standard dialect is based on the speech of Malé.
English and other languages
- English is widely used in education and tourism, and Wikipedia says it has been the medium of instruction in most schools since the 1960s. Dhivehi remains the language of administration.
- We do not call English an official language, because we found no source for that.
- Travel guides say that resort and guesthouse staff usually speak English, but we cannot promise it for every shop or boat.
Words worth knowing
- Assalaamu alaikum: the standard greeting. Kihineh? asks how you are. Shukuriyaa means thank you, and ran’galhu shukuriyaa is a polite reply to how are you.
- Romanisation varies between guides, so the spelling may differ from what you see on signs.
- For the clock, see Time in the Maldives.
Frequently asked questions
What is the official language of the Maldives?
Dhivehi, also called Maldivian.
What script does Dhivehi use?
Thaana, written from right to left.
Is English official?
We found no source calling it official, but it is widely used in schools and tourism.
Can I manage with English?
Travel guides say staff in resorts and guesthouses usually speak English.
How do I say thank you?
Shukuriyaa. Spelling varies between guides.
Reviewed by the Relax Residence team in October 2026.
