🇱🇰 Sinhala phrases

How to Say "No" in Sinhala

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
නැහැ
"No" in Sinhala · say it like neh-heh

The most natural way to say "No" in Sinhala is නැහැ. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

නෑ
used in casual conversations
නැහැද?
used to confirm if someone is saying no

When to use it

You can use 'නැහැ' when you want to refuse something or indicate disagreement. It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. Use it when someone asks you a question that you want to answer negatively.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "No" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Sinhala

SinhalaEnglish
ඔයාට කෑමක් ඕනේද? නැහැ.Do you want food? No.
ඔයා එන්නෙ නැහැද?Aren't you coming? No.
Common mistake
Some learners might confuse 'නැහැ' with 'නෑ', but 'නෑ' is more casual.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear නැහැ, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Sinhala with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use 'නැහැ' in formal situations?

Yes, 'නැහැ' is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Learn Sinhala by speaking it

Two free conversations. No card needed.