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!