Quick answer
Key words: arrack is arakku in Sinhala and arrakku or saarayam in Tamil usage. Toddy is raa in Sinhala and kallu in Tamil. Coconut is pol in Sinhala and thengai in Tamil; palmyrah is thal in Sinhala and panai in Tamil. Gal is the everyday nickname for cheap special and extra special arrack. Style names such as special, extra special, old and double distilled are used in English on labels and in speech.
Key takeaways
- Arrack is arakku in Sinhala and arrakku or saarayam in Tamil usage.
- Toddy is raa in Sinhala and kallu in Tamil.
- Coconut is pol in Sinhala and thengai in Tamil; palmyrah is thal and panai.
- Gal is the everyday nickname for cheap special and extra special arrack.
- Style names such as special, old and double distilled are used in English.
Words for arrack
In Sinhala, arrack is commonly arakku, close to the English. In Tamil, arrakku is used, and saarayam is a broader word for liquor that may also be heard. Pronunciation varies by region, and English arrack is widely understood.
The word itself comes from the Arabic araq, meaning distillate, carried along trade routes and adapted into many languages.
In shops and bars, saying arrack in English with the type name is usually enough. Local words help most in rural areas and the north.
- →Sinhala: arakku.
- →Tamil: arrakku, saarayam.
- →English: widely understood.
Words for toddy
Toddy is raa in Sinhala and kallu in Tamil. Toddy taverns are sometimes called raa madam or kallu kadai, though signs and usage vary.
Coconut toddy may be called pol raa in Sinhala, and palmyrah toddy is thal raa in Sinhala or panai kallu in Tamil. Kithul toddy is kithul raa.
Asking for raa or kallu on a tapper visit or in a tavern is a friendly way to show interest.
Tappers have their own vocabulary too, for the knife, the pots, the ropes between palms and the flower spathe. On a tapping visit, ask your guide to translate; tappers are often happy to explain their work and the words that go with it.
- →Sinhala: raa.
- →Tamil: kallu.
- →Palmyrah: thal raa, panai kallu.
Coconut, palmyrah and kithul
Coconut is pol in Sinhala and thengai in Tamil. Pol appears in many food words: pol sambol, pol roti and pol kiri, coconut milk.
Palmyrah is thal in Sinhala and panai in Tamil. Kithul, the fishtail palm, is kithul in both, and its treacle is kithul pani.
Knowing the palm words helps when asking whether an arrack is coconut or palmyrah, especially in the north.
Treacle and jaggery have local names worth knowing for sweets and cocktails. Kithul treacle is kithul pani, and jaggery is hakuru in Sinhala and karuppatti for palmyrah jaggery in Tamil. Both appear on dessert menus and at roadside stalls.
Style names and gal
Arrack style names are used in English, even in Sinhala and Tamil speech: special, extra special, old, very special old, double distilled and premium. Labels print them in English.
Gal is the everyday nickname for cheap special and extra special arrack. Its origin is debated, often linked to the word for stone or to old bottle shapes; treat any single explanation with caution. The nickname is affectionate and widely used.
Lankan Stays & Trails guides can help with pronunciation and introduce you to local drinking vocabulary on a tavern or tapper visit.
- →Labels: English style names.
- →Gal: everyday arrack nickname.
- →Origin: debated.
Measures and sizes
Bottle sizes are often called a quarter, a half and a full bottle in English, for 180, 375 and 750 ml. In Sinhala, a quarter may be called a kaala, though usage varies.
A single measure is often called a shot or a peg. Ice is ice in most bars; soda and ginger beer are known by English names.
Pointing to the bottle and saying the size in English is usually clearest.
- →Quarter: 180 ml.
- →Half: 375 ml.
- →Full: 750 ml.
Polite phrases
In Sinhala, thank you is sthuthi or bohoma sthuthi for thank you very much. In Tamil, nandri. A smile and a thank you go a long way.
Cheers is often said in English. If declining a drink, a polite no thank you, or epa in Sinhala, said gently, is fine.
Using even a few words shows respect and usually earns a warm response.
- →Sinhala thanks: bohoma sthuthi.
- →Tamil thanks: nandri.
- →Decline: politely.
Frequently asked questions
What is arrack called in Sinhala?
Arrack is commonly called arakku in Sinhala, close to the English word. The English arrack is widely understood in bars and shops. Everyday cheap arrack is often called gal, an affectionate nickname for special and extra special arrack.
What is toddy called in Sinhala and Tamil?
Toddy is raa in Sinhala and kallu in Tamil. Coconut toddy may be called pol raa, and palmyrah toddy thal raa in Sinhala or panai kallu in Tamil. Toddy taverns may be called raa madam or kallu kadai.
What does gal arrack mean?
Gal is the everyday nickname for cheap special and extra special arrack. Its origin is debated, with explanations ranging from the word for stone to old bottle shapes. The nickname is affectionate and widely used in bars and shops.
Do I need Sinhala or Tamil to buy arrack?
No. English works in most bars and shops, and labels use English style names. Local words help most in village taverns and the north, and using a few shows respect. Pointing to the bottle and naming the size is usually clear.
What is coconut in Sinhala and Tamil?
Coconut is pol in Sinhala and thengai in Tamil. Pol appears in many food words, such as pol sambol and pol roti. Palmyrah is thal in Sinhala and panai in Tamil, and kithul is kithul in both.
How do I say thank you in Sinhala and Tamil?
In Sinhala, thank you is sthuthi, or bohoma sthuthi for thank you very much. In Tamil, it is nandri. Saying thank you in the local language is appreciated in bars, shops and homes.
What is a quarter of arrack?
A quarter is a 180 ml bottle of arrack, the standard small purchase in shops and local bars. A half is 375 ml and a full bottle 750 ml. Sizes are usually called by these English names.
What is kithul treacle called locally?
Kithul treacle is called kithul pani in Sinhala, and jaggery is hakuru. In the north, palmyrah jaggery is karuppatti in Tamil. These words appear on dessert menus, at roadside stalls and in markets, and knowing them helps when buying treacle for arrack cocktails.