Malagasy phrasebook

Malagasy is the national language of Madagascar.

Pronunciation guide

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"

Common diphthongs

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 ) 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 name of language [well]. 

Tsy mahay teny malagasy aho ( tsy MA-high tain-NEY malagasy AH-oh)

Do you speak English? 

? ( ?)

Is there someone here who speaks English? 

? ( ?)

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 ____ X. ( 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 ____ ?

X ____ ? (mijanona any _____ ve ty?)

When does the train/bus for ____ leave ? 

X _____ X ? (amin'ny fïry no mandeha ny masinina/bus mankany_____ X)

When will the train/bus arrive at _____ ? 

X _____ ? (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.

Expresssions & 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!