How do you use postpositions instead of prepositions in Sinhala?

What Are Postpositions?

In English and many other languages, we use prepositions—words like “in,” “on,” “at,” and “with”—to show relationships between nouns and other words in a sentence. These prepositions typically come before the noun. For example: “in the house” or “with my friend.”

Sinhala, however, uses postpositions. This means that the equivalent word comes after the noun, not before it. The structure is essentially reversed compared to English: instead of “in the house,” you would say “house in” in Sinhala. Understanding this basic difference is the first step to forming correct sentences in Sinhala.

Common Sinhala Postpositions

Let’s look at some of the most common postpositions in Sinhala and their English equivalents:

• -ෙහි (–ehi): in, at, on
• -ෙට (–eṭa): to, towards
• -ෙන් (–en): from, by, with
• -ෙයි (–eyi): with, by means of
• -ෙහා (–ehā): along, with

Each of these postpositions is attached directly to the noun, often as a suffix. The form of the suffix can change depending on the noun’s ending and the level of formality.

How to Use Postpositions in Sinhala Sentences

Word Order

In a typical Sinhala sentence, the noun comes first, followed by the postposition. The verb usually comes at the end of the sentence. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Noun + Postposition + (other elements) + Verb

For example, to say “at the school,” you combine the noun for school (“පාසල” – pāsala) with the postposition “-ෙහි” (–ehi):

පාසලේහි (pāsalehi) — at the school

A full sentence:

මා පාසලේහි ඉන්නේ. (mā pāsalehi innē.) — I am at the school.

Examples of Postpositions in Action

• ගෙදරට යන්න. (gedaraṭa yanna.) — Go to the house.
  Here, “ට” (ṭa) is the postposition for “to.”
• මිතුරන් සමඟ කතා කරන්න. (mituran samaṅga kathā karanna.) — Talk with friends.
  “සමඟ” (samaṅga) acts as the postposition for “with.”
• පොතෙන් කියවන්න. (pothen kiyawanna.) — Read from the book.
  “ෙන්” (en) is the postposition for “from.”

Tips for Mastering Sinhala Postpositions

• Practice with Real Sentences: Reading and listening to authentic Sinhala content, such as dialogues, news, or stories, will help you recognize postpositions in context.
• Make Your Own Examples: Try substituting different nouns and postpositions to create your own sentences. For instance, combine locations and directions to say “to the market” (පොළට polaṭa), “in the car” (මෝටර් රථයේ moṭar rathaye).
• Use Language Learning Apps: Platforms like Talkpal offer AI-powered exercises and instant feedback, making it easier to practice and remember the correct usage of Sinhala postpositions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is placing the postposition before the noun, as they would do with a preposition in English. Remember, in Sinhala, the postposition always follows the noun. Additionally, ensure you use the correct postposition for the intended meaning; for example, “-ෙහි” (ehi) is different from “-ෙට” (eṭa).

Conclusion

Mastering the use of postpositions in Sinhala is an essential skill for anyone aiming to speak the language fluently. By understanding the logic behind noun-postposition order and practicing with real-life examples, you can quickly become comfortable with this unique aspect of Sinhala grammar. For more tips, interactive exercises, and personalized feedback, explore Sinhala learning resources on Talkpal—the AI language learning blog dedicated to helping you achieve your language goals with ease.