Malagasy phrasebook

Malagasy is the national language of Madagascar.

Pronunciation guide

Vowels

a: as in "father", except that ao, oa are like 'oa' in "broad"
e: as in "egg"
i: as in "sari"
o: as in "rule", except that ô, ao, oa are like 'oa' in "broad*
y: as in "any"

Consonants

Malagasy doesn't use C, W, Q or X (and uses Y only as a vowel).

b: as in "be"
d: as "do", except that dr is like 'j' in "joy"
f: as in "fee"
g: as in "go"
h: as in "hi"
j: like 'ds' in "ads"
k: as in "sky"
l: as in "lie"
m: as in "me"
n: as in "no"
p: as in "spy"
r: trilled as in Scottish English
s: as in "see"
t: as in "stay", except that tr is like 'ch' in "chew"
v: as in "view"
z: as in "zoo"

Phrase list

Some phrases in this phrasebook still need to be translated. If you know anything about this language, you can help by plunging forward and translating a phrase.

Basics

Hello.: Salama. (like Arabic 'Salaam') Manao ahoana. (Manow-OWN)
Hello. (informal, used mainly in the North): Mbola tsara. (mm-BOOL-uh TSAR-uh)
How are you?: Inona voavoa? (ee-nan vow-vow)
Sir/Madam: tompoko (TOOM-pook)
Fine, thank you. (literally 'very good'): Tsara be.
What is your name?: Inona ny anaranao? (ee-new-na knee a-nair-a-now)
My name is ______ ny aranako.: ______ . (______ knee anaRAkoo.)
Nice to meet you.: Faly mahafantatra anao ( )
Please.: azafady. (az-a-fad)
Where do you come from?: Avy aiza ianao?
What is your nationality?: Firenena inona no niavinao?
Are you foreigner?: Vahiny ve ianao?
Yes, I am.: Eny, Tompoko!
No, I am not.: Tsia, Tompoko!
Welcome!: Tongasoa!
Thank you.: Misaotra. (meesh-OW-truh)
You're welcome.: tsy misy fisaorana ( )
Yes.: Eny. (Any) although 'yoh' is more widely used
No.: Tsia. (Tseeya)although 'ahh' is more widely used
Excuse me. (getting attention): Azafady-o ( )
Excuse me. (begging pardon): Aza fady. ( )
I'm sorry. Aza fady: . ( ) formal = miala tsiny
Goodbye: Veloma. (ve-LOOMa)
Goodbye (informal): Zay a . ( )
I can't speak Malagasy [well].: Tsy mahay teny malagasy aho ( tsy MA-high tain-NEY malagasy AH-oh)
Do you speak English?: (Miteny anglisy ve ianao?)
Is there someone here who speaks English?: (Misy olona miteny anglisy ve ato?)
Help!: Vonjeo ! (!)
Look out!: Masiaka! (Mash-YUCK)
Go away!: Mandehana! (man-day-HAN)
Good morning.: Salama e . ( )
Good evening.: Salama . ( )
Good night.: . Salama( )
Good night (to sleep): Tafandria mandry . ( )
I don't understand.: Tsy azoko . ( )
Where is the toilet?: Aiza Toilety (Aizuh twal-YET-ee)
and: sy
the: ny
there is: misy (mees)
nothing, not: tsy
I don't have anything (literally there is not, can be used as a reply to beggars): tsy misy (tsee-mees)
Who are you?: Iza moa ianao?
I am _____: Izaho no/dia _______

===Problems===[olana]

Go away!: Mandehana ("man-day-HAN")

Beware of dog: Alika masiaka ("a-LEEK-ya mash-YUK")

Warnings

Dead End: Tsy azo aleha.
Do not enter: Tsy azo idirana.
Zone under security: Toerana voaaro.
No smoking: Tsy azo ifohana sigara.
Respect the cleanness: Hajao ny fahadiovana.

Calling

Hello!: AllO!
Who is it please?: Iza io azafady?
It is a pleasure to acquire you.: Faly mandary anao.

Numbers

1: iray (I-yrah)
2: roa (ROU-ah)
3: telo (TEH-lou)
4: efatra (EH-fatreh)
5: dimy (DE-mey)
6: enina (EH-ne)
7: fito (FEE-tou)
8: valo (VAH-lou)
9: sivy (SI-vi)
10: folo (FOU-lou)
11: raikambin'ny folo
12: roambin'ny folo
13: teloambin'ny folo
14: efatrambin'ny folo
15: dimiambin'ny folo
16: eninambin'ny folo
17: fitoambin'ny folo
18: valoambin'ny folo
19: siviambin'ny folo
20: roambolo
21: iraikiambiroapolo
22: roambiriapolo
23: teloambiroapolo
30: telompolo
40: efapolo
50: dimampolo
60: enimpolo
70: fitompolo
80: valompolo
90: sivifolo
100: zato (ZAH-tou)
200: roanjato
300: telonjato
1000: arivo (ah-REE-voo) like in Antananarivo which means "city of the thousand"
2000: roa arivo
10,000: iray alina
100,000: iray etsy
1,000,000: iray tapitr'isa
Number __ (train, bus, etc.): nomerao __
Half.: sasany, antsasany, tapany
Less.: latsaka
More.: mihoatra

Time

Now: izao, ankehitriny
Very late: avy eo, aoriana
Before: talohany
Morning: maraina
In the morning: ny marainany
Afternooni: tolak'andro
Evening: hariva
In the evening: ny ariva
Night: alina

Clock time

One o'clock in the morning: iray ora maraina
Two o'clock in the morning: roa ora maraina
Nine o'clock in the morning: sivy ora maraina
Noon
One o'clock in the afternoon: iray ora antoandro
Two o'clock in the afternoon: roa ora hariva
Six o'clock in the evening: enina ora hariva
Seven o'clock in the evening: fito ora hariva
Quarter 'til seven (in the evening), 18:45: amin'ny fito latsaka fahefany
Quarter past seven (in the evening), 19:15: amin'ny fito sy fahefany
Half-past seven, 19:30: amin'ny fito sy sasany
Midnight: sasakalina (X)

Duration

_____ minute(s): ______ X (mini tr)
_____ hour(s): ______ X (leh-ra)
_____ day(s): ______ X (and-roe)
_____ week(s): ______ X (ehrinandro)
_____ months: ______ X (volahnah)
_____ year(s): ______ X (taouna)
weekly: isan-kerinandro
monthly: isam-bolana
annually: isan-taona

Days

Today: androhany
Yesterday: omaly
Tomorrow: rahampitso
This week: ity herinandro ity
Last week: herinandro ambony
Next week: herinandro ho avy

Sunday: alahady
Monday: alatsinainy
Tuesday: talata
Wednesday: alarobia
Thursday: alakamisy
Friday: zoma
Saturday: asabotsy

Months

January: janoary
February: febroary
March: martsa
April: aprily
May: mey
June: jona
July: jolay
August: aogositra
September: septambra
October: oktobra
November: novambra
December: desambra

Colors

Black: mainty
White: fotsy
Grey: volon-davenona
Red: mena
Blue: manga
Yellow: mavo
Green: maitso
Orange: volom-boasary
Purple: ranonombalahy
Brown: volontany

Transportation

Bus et Train

How much is a ticket to go to ____?: Ohatrinona ny saran-dalana mankany ____? (Ohatrinohna nee sahrah-dalana mankany _____ )
A ticket for ____, please.: Anaovy saran-dalana iray mankany ____ . ( anowvee sahrah-dalana iray mankany ______ azafady )
Where is the train/bus?: Mankaiza ity masinina/bus ity? (Mankayza ee-tee masinina/bus ty?)
Where is the train/fiarakodia for ____?: Aiza ny masinina/bus mankany ____?
This train/bus stops at ____?: Mijanona any _____ ve ty?
When does the train/bus for ____ leave?: Amin'ny fïry no mandeha ny masinina/bus mankany_____ ?
When will the train/bus arrive at _____?: Amin'ny fïry ty machine/bus ty no tonga any _____ ?

By pousse-pousse or other transportation

Pouss-pouss!: Pousse-pousse!
How much to go to ...?: Ohatrinona ny mandeha any ....?
Too expensive!: Lafo loatra.
But how much do you often go there?: Ohatrinona no fandehananao/nareo any?
It's _____: ... Mille (French)
Ok, get in!: Eny ary, midira!
Keep the changes: Tazony ny famerim-bola
Here's your money.: Ity ny famerimbolanao.
See you later!: Mandrampihaona indray/amin'ny manaraka indray!
We're almost arrive: Efa ho tonga isika.

Directions

Where is the _____?: Aiza ny _____?
...train station?: gara?
...bus station?: stationa?
... airport?: seranam-piaramanidina
...downtown?: ambonivohitra
...neighborhood?: toerana akaiky
...youth hostel?
...hotel _____?: hôtely hatorizana
...the [American/Australian/British/Canadian] embassy?: ny ambasady [Amerikanina/Aostralianina/Britanika/Kanadianina]?
...tourist attractions ?
Can you show me on the map?: Afaka asehonao ahy ve ny sarintany?
Road: lalana
Turn to the left.: mihodìna havia
Turn to the right.: mihodìna havanana
Left: havia, ankavia
Right: havanana, ankavanana
Straight: mahitsy
In the direction of _____: Aankany ____
After the _____: Aorian'ny ____
Before the _____: Alohan'ny ____
Locate the _____.: Atoroy ny ____
Crossroads: sampan-dalana
North: avaratra
South: atsimo
East: atsinanana
West: andrefana
On top: ambony
On bottom: ambany

Taxi

Taxi!: Fiara karetsaka!
Take me to ___, please.: Atero any (ary) amin'ny _____ anie aho, azafady.
How much does it cost to go to _____?: Ohatrinona kay mandeha any (ary) amin'ny _____ ?
Take me there, please.: Atero etsy anie aho, azafady.
Is it so far away from here?: Lavitra avy eto ve izany?
Thank you in advance!: Misaotra anao mialoha!
Stop here!: Ajanony eto!
Speed it up!: Malakilaky kely!
Keep the change!: Tazony ny famerimbola!

Money

Money=Vola "Vula"

In Madagascar, the currency name is "Ariary" symbolized as "AR" or Malagasy ARIARY.

1Ar One Ariary

50Ar Fifty ______ Dimampolo Ariary

100 Ar Ariary Zato

500 Ar Dimanjato Ariary

1000 Ar Arivo Ariary

2000 Ar Roa Arivo Ariary

5000 Ar Dimy Arivo Ariary

10.000 Ar Iray Alina Ariary

20.000 Ar Roa Alina Ariary

Eating

sakafo : aliments; mihinana : manger;

A table for one/two people, please.: Latabatra ho an'olona iray/ndroa,azafady.
Can I have a menu ?: Afaka mahazo Menio ve?
What is the house specialty: Inona no manavanana ny ato?
Is there a local specialty?
I am vegetarian.: Tsy mihinan-kena aho.
I do not eat pork.: Tsy mihinan-kisoa aho.
I eat kosher meat.: Tsy mihinana afatsy hanin-jiosy aho.
Can you cook light ? (with less oil/butter/fat): Afaka manao nahandro matsatso ve ianao.
menu: Menio
à la carte
Breakfast: Sakafo maraina
Lunch: Sakafo antoandro
Dinner: Sakafo hariva
I would like _____: Te___aho
I would like a meal with _____.: Te hiara-sakafo amin'i_____aho.
Chicken: henan akoho (EN-ahn a-KOO)
Beef: henan omby (En-ahn OOMB)
Fish: Trondro
Salmon
Tuna
White fish
Cod
Seafood: Hazandranomasina
Lobster
Clams
Oysters
Snails: Sifotra
Frogs: Sahona
Ham
Pork: . Henakisoa
Cheese
Eggs: Atody
Salad
Vegetables: anana
Fruit: voankazo (vwan KAZoo)
Banana: kata-kata
bread: mofo (MOOF)
Toast
Rice: vary
Beans: Tsaramaso (X)
Can I have a glass of _____?: zao mety mahazo verra ny ____?
Can I have a packet of _____?
Can I have a bottle of _____?
Coffee: café
Tea: Dite
Juice: Ranomboankazo
Sparkling Water
Water: rano
Beer
Red/White wine
Can I have some _____?: Afaka mahazo______
Sugar: sira mamy
Salt: sira
Pepper
Butter: Dobera
Excuse-me? (to get attention): azafady (aza-FAD)
I'm finished: Lany!
It was delicious (literally very tasty): matsiro be
I am (very) full (after having eaten lots of food): voki (be) sao
You can clean the table.: Afaka diovinao ny latabatra.
The check please.

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: Aiza ny toaka?
Do you have table service?
One beer, please.: Alefaso aty ny labiera
A glass of red/white wine, please.
One bottle please.: Omeo tavoangy iray azafady.
Whisky
Vodka
Rum: toaka
Water: rano
Soda
Orange juice: ranom-boasary
Do you have bar snacks (Chips or nuts) ?
Another, please.: Omeo hafa, azafady.
Another for the table, please.
What time do you close?: Amin'ny firy no mikatona ianareo?

Shopping

Do you have this in my size: Misy antonina ahy ve ny tahak'ity?
How much does this cost?: Hoatrinona?
How?: Ahoana?
That's expensive!: Lafo loatra!
Drop it!: Aoka aloha!
Do you accept [US dollars/Pound Sterling]?: Mandray Dollar Amerikana ve ianareo?
Expensive: lafo
Cheap: mora
I cannot pay.: Tsy mahavidy aho
I don't want that: Tsy mila aho.
You confused me.: Fitahinao aho
I'm not interested.: Tsy mila aho
I understand.: Mazava/Azoko.
I would like to use a sack?: Mila harona ve ianao?
I need ____.: mila ____ aho
...toothpaste.: dentifrice (French)
...a toothbrush.: borosy nify
...tampons.: tampô
...

...soap.: savony
...shampoo.: savony anasàna loha
...pain reliever (aspirin, ibuprofen): aspirinina, ibuprofene (ahs-pee-RIN, ee-bew-proh-fay-n)
...cold medicine.
...stomach medicine.
...a razor.: fitaovam-piaratana (fee-taw-vam-pee-ya-RAH-tan)
...batteries.: bateria, pila (bah teh REE, peel)
...umbrella: elo (AY-loo)
...sunscreen.: fiarovana ny hoditra amin'ny masoandro
...a postcard.: karatra paositra, kara-paositra
...stamps.: kase (kah-SEH)
...letter paper.: taratasy hanoratana (tah-ra-TAHS ah-noo-RAH-tan)
...a pen.: penina (Pehn)
...books in English: boky miteny anglisy
...a newspaper in English.: gazety miteny anglisy
...a Malagasy-English dictionary.: rakibolana malagasy-anglisy

Driving

I would like to rent a car.: tia hanofa fiara aho
I would like to get insurance?: aiza no ahazoako fiantohana/assurance
Stop (on a sign): stop
Yield
Parking prohibited: tsy az ijanonana
Speed limit: fe-kafainganana
Gas station
Gas
Diesel

Authority

Use the word Tompoko ("TOOM-pook") (unisex: sir/madam) after a sentence when speaking to an elder/authority figure.

I did not do anything wrong.: Tsy nanao ratsy na inona na inona aho
It's a mistake.: Misy diso.
Where are you taking me?: Entinareo aiza aho
Am I under arrest?: Samborinareo ve aho
I am a(n) American/Australian/British/Canadian.: Vazaha amerikanina/aostralianina/britanika/kanadiana aho
I demand to call the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy: Mangataka hiantso ny ambasady amerikanina/aostralianina/britanika/kanadiana aho
I want to talk with a lawyer.: tia hiteny amy mpisolovava aho.
Can I simply pay a fine?: Afaka mandoa ny lamandy/dina ve aho?

Help

Could you help me?: Afaka manampy ahy ve ianao?
What can I help you?: Inona no azoko anampiana anao?
I'm sick.: Marary aho.
Could you call a doctor?: Afaka miantso mpitsabo ve ianao?
Call an Ambulance!: Miantsoa Ambulance.

Expressions & Glossary

I don't know.: Tsy haiko.
Ask to someone.: Anontanio olona.
Find it!: Tadiavo!
Take!: Alaivo!
Give back!: Avereno!
Why?: Nahoana?
Because: Satria
Over here!: Mandehana aty!
I can't see!: Tsy hitako!
Come on!: Andao e!
It's enough!: Ampy izay!
Make it better!: Ataovy tsara!
Good job!: Tsara be!
Get in!: Midira!
Get out!: Mivoaha!
I got it!: Azoko.
You're lucky!: Tsara vintana ianao!
It's a pity!: Indrisy!
Enjoy your meal!: Mazotoa homana!
Have a nice day!: Mirary tontolo andro finaritra!
Happy new year!: Tratrin'ny taom-baovao!
Week End: Faran'ny herin'andro
Cool!: Mahafinaritra!
I'm too hot!: Mafana be aho!
I'm cold!: Mangatsiaka aho!
Next time: Amin'ny manaraka!
Next Week: Amin'ny herin'andro
Come here: Mandehana aty!
Can I take a picture here?: Afaka maka sary eto ve aho?
No matter: Tsy maninona.
It's a pleasure for me: Tena ho afaliana ho ahy.
It's done.: Vita.
Not yet.: Mbola
Already: Sahady
Don't worry!: Aza manahy!
How to do ...?: Ahoana no manao ny ...?
When are you free?: Amin'ny oviana ianao no malalaka?
I'm busy: Mbola tsy afaka aho.
I'm free.: Afaka aho.
Where are you now?: Aiza ianao izao?
I'm at the ...: Efa eto amin'ny ...

Regional greetings

In Madagascar, each region has its own greetings.

TOAMASINA: Manakory e! Akory lahaly?!
NORTHERN REGION: Mbola tsara!
SOUTHERN REGION: Akory koahy! Finaritra!

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