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Malagasy is the national language of Madagascar.

Pronunciation guide[edit]

Vowels[edit]

a
like 'a' in "father"
e
like 'ay' in "pay"
o
like 'u' in "rule"
i
like 'ee' in "see"
y
like 'ee' in "see"

Consonants[edit]

Malagasy doesn't use C, W, Q or X.

b
like "b" in "better"
d
like "d" in "distance"
f
like "f" in "file"
g
like "g" in "go"
h
like "h" in "hot"
j
like "j" in "January"
k
like "c" in "calendar"
l
like "l" in "lost"
m
like "m" in "master"
n
like "n" in "name"
p
like "p" in "power"
r
like "r" in "rust"
s
like "s" in "sew"
t
like "t" in "toast"
v
like "v" in "vest"
z
like "z" in "zebra"

Common diphthongs[edit]

Phrase list[edit]

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[edit]

Hello.
Salama. (like Arabic Salaam ) or Manao Hoana (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? (n-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[edit]

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[edit]

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


Numbers[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

_____ 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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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

Transportation[edit]

Bus et Train[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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.

Expresssions & Glossary[edit]

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[edit]

In Madagascar, each region has its own greetings.

TOAMASINA
Manakory e! Akory lahaly?!
NORTHERN REGION
Mbola tsara!
SOUTHERN REGION
Akory koahy! Finaritra!
This Malagasy phrasebook is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!