Day 29 · Directions & Finding Places 🗺️
1 · Core Words (12)
Koheda [ko-he-da]
town eka koheda? 📍
ටවුන් එක කොහෙද?
Where
📍 Where is the town?
Wam patta
wam pattata harenna ⬅️
වම් පැත්තට හැරෙන්න
Left
⬅️ Turn left
Dakuṇu patta
dakuṇu pattata ➡️
දකුණු පැත්තට
Right
➡️ Turn right
Kelima
kelima yanna ⬆️
කෙලින්ම යන්න
Straight
⬆️ Go straight
Langai
hari langai
හරි ළඟයි
Near
Very near
Durai
tikak durai
ටිකක් දුරයි
Far
A bit far
Para
loku para
ලොකු පාර
Road
Main road
Pansala
pansala langa
පන්සල ළඟ
Temple
Near the temple
Hotel eka
nihanda hotel eka
නිහඬ හෝටල් එක
Hotel
quiet hotel
Pola
loku pola
ලොකු පොළ
Market
big market
Ispithalaya
langama ispithalaya
ළඟම ඉස්පිරිතාලය
Hospital
nearest hospital
Ahanna
kenekgen ahanna
කෙනෙක්ගෙන් අහන්න
To ask
Ask someone
2 · Typical Phrases (6)
Pansala koheda? — Where is the temple?
Kelima yanna — Go straight
Wam pattata harenna — Turn left
Me para hari da? — Is this the right road?
Langada durada? — Is it near or far?
Mata udawwak one — I need some help
3 · Dialogue
A: Samawenna, hotel eka koheda?
(Excuse me, where is the hotel?)
B: Me para kelima yanna.
(Go straight on this road.)
A: Durada?
(Is it far?)
B: Næ, hari langai.
(No, very near.)
A: Wam pattatada dakuṇatada?
(Left or right?)
B: Wam pattata harenna.
(Turn left.)
A: Bohoma stuti!
(Thank you very much!)
B: Prashnayak næ.
(No problem.)
(Excuse me, where is the hotel?)
B: Me para kelima yanna.
(Go straight on this road.)
A: Durada?
(Is it far?)
B: Næ, hari langai.
(No, very near.)
A: Wam pattatada dakuṇatada?
(Left or right?)
B: Wam pattata harenna.
(Turn left.)
A: Bohoma stuti!
(Thank you very much!)
B: Prashnayak næ.
(No problem.)
4 · Cultural Note 🇱🇰
Sri Lankans love helping with directions. Even if they are not sure, they will try to guide you. Landmarks like temples, trees, and shops are used more than street names. Smiling and saying “samawenna” opens every conversation. People may walk with you to show the way. Distances are often described by time, not meters. Asking twice is completely normal. Children and tuk-tuk drivers are great local guides. Using Sinhala directions brings instant friendship. Finding a place becomes a social experience, not stress.