Tongasoa!

Welcome!

Salama

Hello

Akory hanao?

How are you?

Akory izy io ra?

How are you? informal

Soa fa misaotra

I'm good thank-you

Soa avao

All good

Eo-ho-eo

So-so

Ino vao-vao?

What's new?

Tsy misy

Nothing

Natory soa hanao?

Sleep well?

Eka

Yes

Aha

No

Azafady

Please

Sorry

Excuse me

Misaotra

Thank-you

Saotra

Thank-you informal

Misaotra besaka

Thank-you very much

Tsy misy fisaorana

You're welcome

Iza gn'naranao?

What is your name?

I Dan gn'narako

My name is Dan

Hanao koa?

And you?

Faly mahalala anao

Happy to meet you

Faly mahalala koa

Happy to meet you too

Faly mahita anao

Happy to see you i.e. again

Firy taoana hanao?

How old are you?

25 tao izaho

I am 25

Veloma

Goodbye

Soava dia

Bon voyage

Maray koa

Until tomorrow/see you tomorrow

Soava mandry

Goodnight

Soavatory

Sleep well

Salama vazaha! is a typical greeting anybody foreign may receive on the streets here. Literally translated, it means "Hello foreigner!". This isn't meant offensively though, and is often a joke. However, it would be odd to say "Salama Malagasy" back.

Tsy azoko

(I) don't understand

Tsy masava

It's not clear

Avereno moramora azafady?

Can you repeat that slowly please?

Izaho malagasy kely

I don't know much Malagasy

Tsy mety

Can't do

Vola/l'argent

Money

Tsy misy vola

I have no money

Tsy misy lamoney/mardiniky

I have no change

Vonjeo!

Help!

Ampio izaho azafady

Help me please

Tsy mila

I don't need (it)

Tsy mividy

I won't buy (it)

j

Like "z" in English

tsy

Like "see" (the "t" sound at the start is so brief it's almost silent

sy

Like "she"

si

Like "she"

-dy

Like "dee" in "deed"

-tra

Like "cha" in "charred"

sa

Like "sa" in "salami" or "sha" in "shave"

ry

Like the "ree" in "reed"

soa

Like "shoe-a"

reo

Like "ray-o"

nao

Like "now"

-isao-

Like "izaow"

vao

Like "vo" in "vole"

-ia

If a word ends in "ia", the a is silent

Mp-

When a word starts with "mp", the "m" is silent

Izaho

I

Me

Hanao

You

Izy

She

He

It

Isika

We including the person you are speaking to

Izahay

We excluding the person you are speaking to

Nareo

You plural

Ireo

They

Them

In urban areas it's common to use French numbers instead. This is particularly true after 10, because Malagasy numbers get rather long-winded...

Raiky

1

Roa

2

Telo

3

Efatsy

4

Dimy

5

Enina

6

Fito

7

Valo

8

Sivy

9

Folo

10

After 10, ambiny (often shortened to amby) is used between units and tens.

Raiky ambiny folo

11

Roa ambiny folo

12

Twenty, thirty, forty etc are all named by joining the unit, such as 'dimy' for 5, onto 'polo' (from 'folo', the word for 10) to create a more pronounceable word.

Roa-polo

20

Telo-polo

30

Efa-polo

40

Dimam-polo

50

Enim-polo

60

Fito-polo

70

Valo-polo

80

Sivam-polo

90

Meanwhile, the units remain the same, so...

Dimy ambiny roa-polo

25

Telo ambiny fito-polo

73

Sivy ambiny sivam-polo

99

Notice that the number is always read from right-to-left (smallest to largest).

At 100, we introduce a new word, jato. Remember that "j" in Malagasy is pronounced more like "z" in English.

Jato

100

Roan-jato

200

Telon-jato

300

Efa-jato

400

Diman-jato

500

Enin-jato

600

Fiton-jato

700

Valon-jato

800

Sivam-jato

900

There is also a new joining word, sy (literally, "and"), which is used between the tens and the hundreds, the hundreds and thousands, and so-on.

Fito ambiny valo-polo sy roan-jato

287

The word for thousand is arivo, and as this starts with a vowel, there is no need to adjust the ending of the unit words.

Arivo

1000

Roa arivo

2000

Telo arivo

3000

Efatsy arivo

4000

Dimy arivo

5000

Enina arivo

6000

Fito arivo

7000

Valo arivo

8000

Sivy arivo

9000

Malagasy also has special words for 10,000 and 1,000,000.

Iray alina

10,000

Ira tapitrisa

1,000,000

Frankly, at this point its easier to just use French!

In Malagasy culture it's sometimes considered rude to point with your finger, and more polite to point with your chin/lips, or a bent finger. This is known as good fomba (manners).

Salama

Hello

Misy labiera?

Is there beer? Used as "Do you have?"

Mila eauviva

I need bottled water

Omeo savony azafady

Give me soap please Roughly equivalent to "I would like".

Omeo mofo telo azafady

Give me 3 doughballs please

Firy?

How many?

Firy litatra?

How many litres?

Firy kilo?

How many kilos?

Firy kapoaky?

How many cups?

Ampy

Enough

Ampio

More

Angalao

Less

Hôtrino?

How much? Only used for prices, not quantities

Hôtrino ity?

How much is this?

Hôtrino totale?

How much in total?

Misaotra

Thank-you

Veloma

Goodbye

Taxi

Taxi

Taxi-brousse

Bush taxi Public transport

Miasa hanao?

Are you working? The first thing to ask when phoning a taxi

Izaho mila taxi boka Island Vibe

I need a taxi from Island Vibe

Handeha Bureau SEED Madagascar

Going to SEED Madagascar office

Fant'anao Manuia Bar?

Do you know Manuia Bar?

Havia

Left

Havana

Right

Mahintsy

Straight

Eto azafady

Here please

Azanogno!

Stop!

Andrache!

Wait!

Afaky miandry anahy hanao?

Can you wait for me?

Andrache heky azafady

Wait a moment please

Afaky hipody hanao afaka azafady?

Can you return after please/

Hôtrino?

How much?

Roa arivo

2 thousand

Staples

Vary

Rice

Mofo

Bread

Mofoboly

Fried doughball Sometimes just called mofo

Mofolava/mofo dipain

Baguette

Godrogodro

Banana bread

Pomme de terre

Potatoes

Pates

Pasta

Spaguette

Spaghetti

Sadaap/Apollo

Instant noodles

Balahazo

Cassava

Pistache

Peanuts

Tsako

Corn

Dairy

Atody

Eggs

Ronono

Milk

Dibera

Butter

Meat (Hena)

Akoho

Chicken

Omby

Zebu

Kisoa/Dambo

Pork

Boratsilaza

Turkey

Potikena

Mincemeat

Fia

Fish

Fruits de mer

Seafood

Types of meat are often contracted with the word for meat itself, so beef may be spelt henan-omby for example.

Beans (Voamaina)

Tsaramasu mena

Big red beans (Kidney beans)

Tsaramasu fotsy

Small white beans

Kabaru

Big white beans (Butter beans)

Voanjo-bory

Big round beans (Marble beans)

Mahalay

Small greeny-yellow beans (Lentils)

Vanemba mena

Small red beans

Vegetables (Legioma)

Papay

Papaya

Zavoka

Avocardo

Cocombre

Cucumber

Traka

Green leaves/Spinach

Taboara

Pumpkin

Tomatesy

Tomatoes

Tongolo

Onions A general term which usually means green onions

Tongolo maintsy

Green onions

Tongolo mena

Red onions

Karoty

Carrots

Poivron

Peppers

Haricot verts

Green beans

Fruits (Voan-kazo)

Akondro

Banana

Voazazo

Watermelon

Voasary/voangy

Orange

Manasy/manasa

Pineapple

Lodisy

Lychee

Mangy

Mango

Pomme

Apple

Coeur boeuf

Custard apple

Koko

Coconut

Poara

Pear

Peso

Peach

Voaloboky

Grapefruit

Jacky

Jackfruit

Voangy be/pampillamouse

Breadfruit

Snack food

Misao

Local salad contents may vary

Nem

Spring roll assume zebu

Sambo

Samosa assume zebu

Brochette

Meat kebab assume zebu

Crevette

Prawn/seafood portion

Herbs, spices and condiments

Seekay

Local chilli sauce

Sakaviro

Ginger

Tongolo lay

Garlic

Sira

Salt

Poivre

Pepper

Tantely

Honey

Siramamy

Sugar

Drinks

Rano

Water

Ronono

Milk

Ranamboankazo/jus naturel

Fruit juice

Kafe

Coffee

The

Tea

Ranon'apango

Rice water tea

Labiera

Beer

Rhum

Rum

Rhum arrange

Rum flavoured with fruits/spices (usually homemade)

Tokagasy

Moonshine

Gin

Gin

Vo/sy

And

Sa

Or In questions

Na

Or In lists

Tsy

Not

Fa

Already

Gny

The

Eto

Here

Ho'ani

For

À

To

Boka/avy

From

Abe

All

Avao

Just/Only

Esan'

Every

Ity

This

Ao

That

Iny

That in hand

Iry

That far

Satria

Because

Angamba

Maybe

Momba

About

Ka

Then/so that

Tokony

Should

Tokony firy

Should when referring to amounts

Noho

Due to/because of

Misakafo

To eat

Misotro

To drink

Mivoha

Open

Mivoha androan'hariva?

Open tonight?

Latabotsy ho'ani telo azafady

Table for 3 please

Omeo gny carte sakafo azafady

Can I have the menu please?

Omeo steak frites azafady

Give me steak and chips please

Henan ino ity?

What meat is it?

Eno gny anagnaty ao?

What's in it?

Mazotoa misakafo!

Enjoy your meal!

Eza misy kabone?

Where are the toilets?

Tsy masaky!

(It's) not cooked!

Vita?

Finished?

Misakafo matavy!

Tasty food! Think "That was nice!"

Ladission azafady

The bill please

Mahandro

To cook

Mazotoa

To enjoy

Afo

Fire

Gasy

Gas

Petroly

Petrol

Menaky

Oil

Vilany

Pot

Lapoaly

Frying pan

Lasety

Plate

Boly

Bowl

Vera

Glass

Kopy

Cup/mug

Mesa

Knife

Forisety

Fork

Sotro

Spoon

Masaky

Cooked/ripe/ready

Monta

Unripe

Malagasy doesn't have plurals - the word "akondro" means both "banana" and "bananas". Whether you are talking about one or many of something is inferred from the context, or stated explicity by a quantity.

Some basic phrases, such as Misy ... can be used as both a question and an answer, according to whether the pitch increases at the end of the sentence (which denotes a question).

To change the tense of a regular verb, change the first letter - "m" for present tense, "n" for past tense, and "h" for future.

Izy matory

He is sleeping

Izaho natory

I slept

Ireo hatory

They will sleep

While there is a verb for "to be" in Antanosy, it is very rarely used. Instead each verb implies the state - "to be asleep", "to be eating" etc.

In general, the subject of the sentence always goes at the start or the end of the sentence, so "Izaho mianasy Malagasy" and "Mianasy Malagasy izao" are both correct, but "Mianasy izaho Malagasy" is not.

Adjectives follow nouns (as in French), rather than the other way round (as in English).

Possessive pronouns (such as mine, yours, ours) are separate words, whilst adjective pronouns (my, your, our) are merely suffixes added to nouns:

Manasa

Pineapple

Manasako

My pineapple

Ao manasa anahy

That pineapple is mine

Many common items are sold by their brand name rather than the actual noun for the verb, such as "Sur Eau" and "Sadaap", or by the French word where no Malagasy word existed before introduction.

Mividy

To buy

Mivarotra

To sell

Manaobazary

To shop

Savony

Soap

Sur Eau

Chlorine for water purification

Fresha/Klin

Detergent

Fanafody moq/Fumakilla

Mosquito coils

Laboujia

Candles

Afo-kasiksy

Matches

Credite telma

Phone credit (telma network)

Papier toilette

Toilet paper

Sachet

Plastic bag

Tanty

Bag

Ino?

What?

Eza?

Where?

Nagnino?

Why?

Iza?

Who?

Ombia?

When?

An'iza?

Whose?

Gn'eza?

Which?

Firy?

How many?

Ho an'ia?

For whom?

An'iza ity?

Whose is this?

Im piry?

How often?

Eno gny anara ity?

What is this called?

Eza i Claude?

Where is Claude?

Eza misy sitilo?

Where is the/are the pens?

Azonao?

Do you understand?

Mety ...?

Can ...? Is it physically possible to do something

Afaky ...?

Can ...? A question of permission/a request

Môdy

Home

Labodiky

Shop

Hotely

Roadside shop/hotel Foreigners asking for a hotely will probably be understood to mean hotel

Plage

Beach

Restaurante

Restaurant

Bazary/tsena

Market

Bureau

Office

Sekoly

School

Hopitaly

Hospital

Gendarme

Police

Disipensera

Clinic

Pharmacie

Pharmacy

Gare routiere

Taxi-brousse station

Apositsy

In town

Ambanivohitra

The bush

Andafy

Outside Usually this means outside Madagascar

Days (Andro)

Alatsinainy

Monday

Talata

Tuesday

Alarobia

Wednesday

Alakamisy

Thursday

Zoma

Friday

Sabotsy

Saturday

Alahady

Sunday

Andro

Day

Androany

Today

Omaly

Yesterday

Maray

Tommorrow

Esan'andro

Every day

Herin'andro

Week

Months (Volana)

Janoary

January

Febroary

February

Martsa

March

Avrily

April

May

May

Jiona

June

Jiolay

July

Aogositra

August

Septambra

September

Oktobra

October

Novambra

November

Desambra

December

Volana

Month

Taoana

Year

Time

Amy firy izao

What is the time?

Amin'ny telo

It's 3 o'clock

Amin gny firy?

At what time?

Maraindry

Morning

Atoandro

Noon

Folokandro

Afternoon

Hariva

Evening

Alina

Night

Lasa

Before

Ago

Afaka

After

Manaka

Soon

Lava

Always

Ela be

Long time

Ela kely

Short time

Sanga-tria

Never

Indraiky koa

Again

Indraiky

Once

Indroa

Twice

Mafana

Hot

Manara

Cold

Be

Big

Kely/mardiniky

Small

Soa/sara

Good

Ratsy

Bad

Resy

Hungry

Mangetaheta

Thirsty

Rokaky

Tired

Malaky

Fast

Mora

Slow

Lafo

Expensive

Mora

Cheap

Mafy

Hard

Mora

Easy

Firy tao hanao?

How old are you?

Dimy ambiny roa-polo tao izaho

I am 25

Mipetraky eza hanao?

Where do you live?

Mipetraky Angleterra izaho

I live in England

Izaho avy any Angleterra

I am from England

Miasa eza hanao?

Where do you work?

Izaho miasa ho'ani ONG Azafady

I work for ONG Azafady

Ino tianao?

What do you like?

Tiako vary sy voamaina

I like rice and beans

Izaho mianasy Malagasy

I am learning Malagasy

Fiarahabana!

Congratulations!

Fondation

Foundation

Rindry

Wall

Varavarana

Door

Lafenety

Window

Lavaranga

Verandah

Tafo

Roof

Vovo

Well

Kabone

Toilet

Adjective pronouns

These are all added as suffixes to the noun.

-ko

My

-nao

Your

-ny

His

Her

It's

-nay

Our

-nareo

Your

-ndro

Their

Possessive pronouns

anahy

Mine

anao

Yours

azy

His

Her

It's

anay

Ours

anareo

Yours

azy ireo

Theirs

Loha

Head

Saina

Brain

Volo

Hair

Maso

Eyes

Sofy

Ear

Vava

Mouth

Loro

Nose

Nify

Teeth

Vozo

Neck

Throat

Soroky

Shoulders

Tagna

Arm

Hand

Kihikiho

Elbow

Ratsa-tagna

Fingers

Tratra

Chest male

Nono

Breast female

Lamosy

Back

Kibo/troky

Stomach

Vody

Bottom

Tomboky

Leg

Foot

Pokopoko

Knee

Ratsa-tomboky

Toes

Hodisy

Skin

Marary

To be sick

Mitily

To test

Mitsabo

To treat

Miteraka

To be born

Maty

To die

Izaho marary

I am sick

Izaho marary kibo

I have a stomach ache/problem

Kohaky

Cough

Fivalanana/mivala

Diarrhoea

Izaho marary kibo sy fivalanana

I have a stomach ache and diarrhoea

Mafana hodisy izaho

I have a temperature

Tiberikilosy

Tuberculosis

Tazo

Malaria

Fahasalamana

Health

Aretina

Sicknesss

Fanafody

Medicine

Fahafatesana

Mortality

Fahadiovana

Sanitation

Madio

Clean

Loto

Dirty

Tagnora

Young

Antitsy

Old

Kapoty

Condoms

IST

STI

VIH/SIDA

HIV/AIDS

Farasisa

Syphillis

Vania

Gonnorhoea

Mpitsabo/Dokotera

Doctor

Mpitsabo mpanampy

Nurse

Rasazy

Midwife

Renin-jaza

Traditional midwife

Ombiasa

Traditional healer

Misy

Some

Tsy misy

None

Maro

Many

Tsy maro

Not many

Ampio

More

Angalao

Less

Ampy

Enough

Foa

Empty

Feno

Full

Antsasany

Half

Amphahefana

Quarter

Antsasany sy amphahefana

Three quarters

Abe

All

Rokaky

Tired

Kamo

Lazy

Matsilo saina

Intelligent

Mola

Mad

Stupid

Manery

Motivated/mentally strong

Matanjaky

Strong

Maleny

Weak

Vondraky

Fat

Mahia

Thin

Lava

Tall

Fohy

Short

Faly

Happy

Mahahelo

Sad

Matavy

Tasty

Masiaka

Spicy

Mamy

Sweet

Mafaitsy

Bitter

Masira

Salty

Mitsa

Sour

Mavavo

Rotten

Vaovao

Fresh

Matsilo

Complicated

Lava

Long for sizes, not time

Fohy

Short for sizes, not time

Mavesatsy

Heavy

Meva

Light weight

Lavitsy

Far

Mariny

Close

Marina

True

Diso

False

Mena

Red

Maintsy

Green

Fotsy

White

Menty

Black

Manga

Blue

Mavo/jaune

Yellow

Mavokely

Pink

Volomparasy

Purple

Tamotamo

Mustard yellow

Tanora

Light Preceded by colour

Antitry

Dark Preceded by colour

Latabotsy

Table

Farafara

Bed

Kidoro

Mat

Sitilo

Pen

Crayon

Pencil

Taratasy/papier

Paper

Lamba

Clothes

Karatsy

Playing cards

Tavoangy

Bottle

Parasoly

Umbrella

Fatapura

Charcoal stove

Fety

Party!

Hofa-trano

Rent

Saina

Flag

Gony

Sack

Mahintsy

Straight

Havia

Left

Havana

Right

Sisiny

Side of the road

Ambony

Up

Ambany

Down

Fialahana!

Turn! imperative

Miolaky

Turn noun

Miolakolaky

Windy/bendy

Mandehana ankavana

Go right

Mandehana ankavia

Go left

Mandehana mahintsy

Go straight on

Mandehana aminy sisiny

Get off the road

Mora

Slow

Moramora

Less slow

Malaky

Fast

Malakylaky

Less fast

Avaratry

North

Atsino

South

Atsinanana

East

Andrefana

West

Mamboatry

To build

Miasa

To work

Magnavao

To renew

Magnatsara

To improve

Mitrobo

To mix

Manapaky

To cut

Mandahatry

To lay

Magnidy

To pour

Mampiditry

To fill

Maha

To make

Marito

Hammer

Alasy

Saw

Borety

Wheelbarrow

Lapely

Shovel

Fangaly

Spade

Torely

Trowel

Ekera

Set-square

Maie

Mallet

Sihoa

Bucket

Metatsy

Measuring tape

Fandraky

Chisel

Famaky

Axe

Mesa

Knife

Fagn'nombota fantsika

Crowbar

Pince

Wirecutters

Fantsiky

Nails

Vato

Rocks

Graviony

Gravel

Fasika

Sand

Vy fotsy

Sheet metal

Biriky

Bricks

Ciment

Cement

Planche

Plank

Hita

Wood

Tarybia

Wire

Feraronde

Metal rebar

Rano

Water

Vonona hanao?

Are you ready?

Vonona hanareo?

Are you ready? plural

Aleffa miasa!

Let's go to work!

Ino gny hataontsika androany?

What are we doing today?

Afaky magnampy anao izaho?

Can I help you?

Ampio izaho azafady

Help me please

Eza misy marito?

Where is the hammer?

Ampindrano alasy?

Can I borrow the saw?

Taha

Here/there you go

Eza i Serge?

Where is Serge?

Mila fantsika indraiky

(I) need more nails

Mitadia sihoa izaho

I am looking for a bucket

Zay

Done

OK

Correct

Vita

Finished

Mahay

To be good at Often used as a compliment

Amboa

Dog

Piso

Cat

Agnomby

Zebu

Lambo

Pig

Agnondry

Sheep

Rabitro

Rabbit

Gidro

Lemur

Maki

Ring-tail lemur

Variky

Brown lemur

Pondiky

Mouse lemur

Bodonohy

Fat-tailed dwarf lemur

Fotsife

Woolly lemur

Tambarikosy

Chameleon

Sakorikita

Furcifer verrucosis chameleon

Atsatsaky

Gecko

Tahy

Leaf-tailed gecko

Sokatra

Turtle

Sokaky

Tortoise

Voay

Crocodile

Boketra

Frog

Bibilava

Snake

Maingoka

Scorpion

Bibin-tsasonjo

Caterpillar

Voanosy/vongora

Beetle

Milipaty

Millipede

Lolo

Butterfly

Tantely

Bee

Faroratry

Spider

Moq

Mosquito

Visiky

Ant

Vorona

Bird

Trandraky/tria

Tenrec

Fossa

Fosa

Fia

Fish

Tany

Land

Vohitra

Mountain

Ala

Forest

Hazo

Trees

Fasana

Tomb

Lalana

Path

Road

Ranomasina

Sea

Renirano

River

Kinta/vasia

Stars

Vonin-kazo

Flowers

Miaro

To protect

Mikaroky

To research

Mamboly

To plant

Mioty

To harvest

Manapaky

To cut

Manadio

To clean

Mampihena

To reduce

Fokololana

Community

Fikarohana

Research

Fiarovana

Conservation

Fambolena

Planting

Akatan'oly

Medicinal plants

Afo

Fire

Tavy

Slash and burn agriculture

To transform a verb into the person who performs it (sell -> seller), use the prefix "Mp", so "mividy" becomes "mpividy".

When talking about the past, start the sentence with taminy:

Taminy volana lasa nagnavao sekoly Agnena izaho - Last month I repaired a school at Agnena.

To construct predicate sentences, such as "When X then Y" or "X therefore Y", use nofa and dia. Nofa goes at the start of the sentence, and dia after the condition:

Nofa masaky gny vary sy voamaina dia hisakafo isika - When the rice and beans are cooked, then we will eat.

Nofa maiky gny andro dia handeha hitsangasanga isika - When it is dry we will go for a ramble.

"Nofa" can also act as "because" when used without "dia":

Hanara gny andro nofa avy ny orana - It will be cold because it rains.

Nama

Friend

Reny

Mother

Ra

Father

Zaza

Children

Zanaky/anaky

Child

Analahy

Brother of a girl

Rahalahy

Brother of a boy

Rahavavy

Sister of a girl

Anabavy

Sister of a boy

Zoky

Elder

Zandry

Younger

Zazakely

Toddler

Zazamena

Baby

Newborn

Lehilahy

Man

Ampela

Woman

Lahy

Male

Vavy

Female

Monsier

Sir

Madame

Madame

Mpivady

Couple

Valy/vody

Spouse

Partner

Vonjeo!

Help!

Tandramo!

Watch out!

Fahadisoako

My fault

Odio?

Anyone there?

Misy olo azafady?

Anybody there?

Tsy azoko

(I) don't understand

Tsy masava

It's not clear

Afo

Fire

Mpaniono afo

Fire-fighters

Mpaniono valaha

Pest control

Gendarme

Police

Volina

Danger

It is uncommon to talk of it being "sunny today" in Madagascar, apparently because it's always sunny. Instead people talk about the presence of clouds if there are some, or talk about the temperature, so a particularly sunny day is just described as mafana be.

Masoandro

Sun

Rahona

Cloud

Ora

Rain

Maiky

Dry

Zavona

Fog

Manjavozavo

Misty

Hotroky

Thunder

Helatsy

Lightning

Rivotsy

Wind

Mafana

Hot

Mafanafana

Warm

Manara

Cold

Manaranara

Chilly

Mandrahona

To be cloudy

Magnora

To be raining

Manjavo

To be foggy

Magnelatsy

To have lightning

Mangotroky

To have thunder

Mandrivotsy

To be windy

Hafana vo handrivotsy gny maray

It will be hot and windy tomorrow

Hagnelatsy vo hangotroky gny androan'hariva

There will be a storm this evening

Nofa avy gny ora dia hanara gny andro

Today it will rain, therefore it will be cold

Misy taxi-brousse à Tana maray?

Is there a taxi-brousse going to Tana tomorrow?

Misy tomobile handeha à Tana androany?

Is there a car going to Tana today?

Maraindray sa folokandro?

Morning or afternoon?

Eza gny stationment taxi-brousse mandeha à Tana azafady?

Where is the taxi-brousse going to Tana?

Am'firy izahay avy ato maray?

What time should we get here tomorrow?

Hôtrino gny fré/billet azafady?

How much is the fare/ticket please?

Mba lafo!

That's expensive!

Lafo loatsy!

Too expensive!

Ampidinio kely azafady?

Can you reduce it a bit?

Avance avao androany

Deposit only today If you are booking for the next day it can be wise to pay only half as a deposit

Eza no azoko ipetrahana azafady?

Where can I sit so you can see the seating book

Afaky mandoa place ray hoan'ni entako aho?

Can I have a seat for my luggage?

Prezida

President

Chef de Region

Mayor of a region

Chef Quartier

Mayor of an area

Chef de Fokontany

Mayor of a village cluster

Chef de Village

Mayor of a village

Dokotera

Doctor

Mpitsabo mpanampy

Nurse

Rasazy

Midwife

Renin-jaza

Traditional midwife

Ombiasa

Traditional healer

Mpilatsaky an'tsitrapo

Volunteer

Mpanao asasoa

Charity worker

Mpamotsy volina

Emergency services worker

Mpaniono afo

Firefighter

Gendarme

Policeman/policewoman

Mpaniono biby

Poacher

Mpaniono valaha

Pest control worker

Mpamatsy vola

Donor

Mpianiasy

Teacher

Mpitatana orinasa

Manager

Mpitantoca ONG

NGO head

In Malagasy culture it's common to describe the job rather than name it, using the "M-" regular verb rather than the "Mp-" verb-noun. So, rather than stating someone is a farmer, you would say they are one that farms. This is because people may not have jobs, so it is considered more polite to avoid job titles.

Ino gny asanao?

What is your job?

Miasa eza hanao?

Where do you work? more polite

Izaho miasa ho'ani ONG Azafady

I work for ONG Azafady

Izy mpianasy

He/she is a teacher

Izy miasa mianasy

He/she teaches more polite

Some verbs, such as manadino (to forget) are conjugated in a different way to the standard n/m/h prefix:

manadino izaho

I forget dictionary, incorrect usage

hadinoko

I forget proper usage

This is because the dictionary form is quite a mouthful, so it's easier to use the adjective pronoun suffix (although the present tense now looks like the future!). The full forms are:

hadinoko

I forget present

hohadinoko

I will forget future

nihadinoko

I forgot past

Mianasy

To learn

Tia

To like

To love

Mipetraky

To live

To sit

Marary

To be sick

Mana

To have

Manao

To do

Mihira

To play

To sing

Misakafo

To eat

Misotro

To drink

Manapaky

To cut

Miasa

To work

Magnampy

To help

Mazotoa

To enjoy

Mifoha

To wake up

Mindra

To borrow

Makasary

To take a photo

Mangalaky

To take

Mandro

To shower

Manome

To give

Mividy

To buy

Mivarotra

To sell

Mamboatry

To build

Milalao

To play

Mahay

To be good at

Avy

To arrive

Mandeha

To go

Manoava

To work

To function

Manasa

To wash

To invite

Maha

To make

Miaro

To protect

Mandihy

To dance

Mitsangasanga

To take a walk casually, i.e. rambling

Mipetrapetraky

To chill out

Magnety

To look

Manoratsy

To write

Manaobazary

To shop

Matory

To sleep

Mahita

To see

Mila

To need

Mitadia

To search for

Te

To want

To prefer

Miresaky

To speak

Mahazo

To understand

Magnotany

To ask

Mangataky

To ask

Mipody

To return

Mamaky

To read

To break open

Magnampy tagna

To lend a hand

Milomay

To run

Milomagno

To swim

Mitanign'andro

To sunbathe

Miteno

To listen

Mieritseritsy

To think

Mikaroky

To research

Mioty

To harvest

Mamboly

To plant

Mampihena

To reduce

Magnavao

To renew

To repair

Magnatsara

To improve

Manadio

To clean

Mitrobo

To mix

Mandahatry

To lay

Magnidy

To pour

To lock

Mampiditry

To fill

Mandresy

To win

Mandrahona

To be cloudy

Magnorana

To have rain

Manjavo

To be foggy

Magnelatsy

To have lightning

Mangotroky

To have thunder

Mandrivotry

To be windy

Miandry

To wait

Mandina

To wait

Mitily

To test

Mitsabo

To treat medical

Mampiakatra

To increase

Maty

To die

Miteraka

To be born

Magninofy

To dream

Mihisiky

To move

Mifidy

To choose

Mandoha

To owe

To vomit

Mipayee

To pay

Mamangy

To visit

Mamangyvangy

To visit regularly

Manadino

To forget

Malay

To dislike