# 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 vaovao? (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

    roambiroapolo

#### 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

##### 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

##### ...hotel _____?

    hôtely hatorizana

##### ...the [American/Australian/British/Canadian] embassy?

    ny ambasady [Amerikanina/Aostralianina/Britanika/Kanadianina]?

##### 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?

#### 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

#### 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

#### Seafood

    Hazandranomasina

#### Snails

    Sifotra

#### Frogs

    Sahona

#### Pork

    . Henakisoa

#### Eggs

    Atody

#### Vegetables

    anana

#### Fruit

    voankazo (vwan KAZoo)

#### Banana

    kata-kata

#### bread

    mofo (MOOF)

#### Rice

    vary

#### Beans

    Tsaramaso (X)

#### Can I have a glass of _____?

    zao mety mahazo verra ny ____?

#### Coffee

    café

#### Tea

    Dite

#### Juice

    Ranomboankazo

#### Water

    rano

#### Can I have some _____?

    Afaka mahazo______

#### Sugar

    sira mamy

#### Salt

    sira

#### 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?

#### One beer, please.

    Alefaso aty ny labiera

#### One bottle please.

    Omeo tavoangy iray azafady.

#### Rum

    toaka

#### Water

    rano

#### Orange juice

    ranom-boasary

#### Another, please.

    Omeo hafa, azafady.

#### 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)

#### ...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

#### Parking prohibited

    tsy az ijanonana

#### Speed limit

    fe-kafainganana

#### 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!