Every country has its own unique and common phrases. We, Sri Lankans, use many phrases which are direct translations from the Sinhala meaning. We believe the following 10 phrases/ words are the most commonly used and overused ones: Have a read and let us know if we have missed out on any!
Machang (මචං)
This is the way almost every man addresses his buddies and homies. “Shall we go machang?” You can even see men addressing people on the road like they are their long lost friends! “Machang, how do you get to Colombo?”
Shape (අව්ලක් නැහැ)
The meaning of this word depends on the tone of the user. Shape means okay. So, if it’s a high tone – shaayype? It’s more of a question meaning is it okay? While shape, means okay.
Every Tom, dick and harry (හැම එකාම)
This phrase is mainly used in every lecture and gossip session. It means that everyone from everywhere. Example “every tom, dick and harry will be there “is like that so many different people will be there or the whole of Colombo will be there.
Don’t tell me (මේ බොරු කියන් නැතුව ඉන්න)
This phrase is used when someone blurts out something unbelievable. When your husband comes and tells you that your neighbors’ daughter eloped, the correct and Sri Lankan phrase to use is – Don’t tell me!
What lies (මොන බොරුද)
This is a direct translation from the Sinhala phrase Mona Borudha. This phrase is used in instances where your fashionably late friend comes late and says there was an accident on the road and that’s why she is late. What lies?!
This ones that one (අහ් මේ එයාද ( මන් එයාව දන්නවා කියන අදහසින්))
When describing people who you can’t remember the names of, this phrase is always used. Every Sri Lankans common go-to is – Ah this ones, that one? You know who I’m talking about!
Aney (අනේ)
A word that is added after many words. It’s used to plead; to show annoyance; to show frustration and much more. Used with many words. Yes aney. No aney. Take aney. Give aney. Go aney. Etc.
Noh? Neh? (නේ…(එහෙමනේ/ එයානේ))
It’s a word used to affirm your statement again and also ask for an affirmation from the person you’re speaking to. It’s used in contexts like “she’s here noh?”, “yeah, noh!” etc.
That’s what! (ඒකනේ ( ඒකනේ මන් කිව්වේ/ ඒකනේ ඕක ඔහොම වුනේ))
Directly translated from the word “Ekaney”. It’s a term used to show agreement with the person you are talking to. Example, when someone says that the SL parliament is like a zoo and that’s why development is stalled, all you got to say is “That’s what”.
What to do so! (මොකද ඉතින් (දැන්) කරන්නේ)
This is the common phrase every Sri Lankan runs to when there is no answer to give or is helpless.
