Basic Verbs

1. යන්න

   yanna

   To go

   Usage

   The base verb of movement — combine it with a destination

   Grammar Note

   These are the -න්න forms, which double as polite imperatives: යන්න means both "to go" and "please go".

2. එන්න

   enna

   To come

   Usage

   For someone or something arriving where you are

3. කන්න

   kanna

   To eat

   Usage

   The base verb for anything about meals

4. බොන්න

   bonna

   To drink

   Usage

   Used for drinks and for taking medicine

5. ගන්න

   ganna

   To buy

   Usage

   The base verb for stating you want to purchase something

6. බලන්න

   balanna

   To see

   Usage

   Covers both sightseeing and checking something

7. රැඳී ඉන්න

   randee inna

   To wait

   Usage

   For queues and for arranging to meet

8. මට යන්න ඕනේ

   mata yanna one

   I want to go

   Usage

   The pattern for naming a destination in a taxi or at a counter

9. මට කන්න ඕනේ

   mata kanna one

   I want to eat

   Usage

   The pattern for naming a dish you want

10. මට මේක ඕනේ

    mata meka one

    I want it

    Usage

    Point at something and say it — works as an order on its own

11. මට ඕනේ නැහැ

    maṭa ōnē næhæ

    I don't need it

    Usage

    To decline a bag, a receipt or a tout

12. මම හොයනවා

    mama hoyanavaa

    I'm looking for it

    Usage

    For naming what you are looking for — showing a photo speeds it up

13. මං ළඟ තියෙනවා

    man langa tiyenavaa

    I have it

    Usage

    To state you have something — tickets or documents, typically

14. මං ළඟ නැහැ

    man langa nahe

    I don't have it

    Usage

    To state you do not have something — small change or a card, say

15. මට බැංකුවෙන් සල්ලි ගන්න ඕනේ

    mata bankuven salli ganna one

    I'll withdraw money

    Usage

    When looking for an ATM or explaining you need cash first

16. මට වෙන්කරගන්න ඕනේ

    mata venkaraganna one

    I'll make a reservation

    Usage

    To offer to book a room, a table or a tour

17. මට මේකට උදව් කරන්න

    mata mekata udav karanna

    Please help me with it

    Usage

    For concrete assistance — lifting a bag, working a machine

18. මට කියන්න

    mata kiyanna

    Please tell me

    Usage

    When you want information — directions or times, for instance

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