Malagasy phrasebook

Malagasy is the national language of Madagascar.

Vowels

 * 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
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"

Basics

 * 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

 * 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

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 <B>50Ar Fifty ______ Dimampolo Ariary</B> <B>100 Ar</B> Ariary Zato <B>500 Ar</B> Dimanjato Ariary <B>1000 Ar</B> Arivo Ariary <B>2000 Ar</B> Roa Arivo Ariary <B>5000 Ar</B> Dimy Arivo Ariary <B>10.000 Ar</B> Iray Alina Ariary <B>20.000 Ar</B> 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!