Maldives: primary language is Dhivehi — English is widely spoken, especially in cities and tourist areas.
Want the full guide? Get a PDF with practical language tips for Maldives — free.
The primary language in Maldives is Dhivehi.
English is widely spoken, especially in cities and tourist areas. Resort and tourism staff speak excellent English — a language barrier is unlikely to come up.
Learning "hello," "please," "thank you," "excuse me," and "the check please" in the local language goes a long way anywhere, including Maldives — locals consistently appreciate the effort.
It's rarely necessary given how widely English is understood in Maldives, but it doesn't hurt to have one as a backup.