MADAGASCAR

Phrasebook

It is a common misconception that most Malagasy people speak French. Only well-educated people in the country have any knowledge of the French language. If you are only planning on visiting the capital city, you will probably be able to communicate with most people at a basic level using French. However, if you are planning on travelling around the country and visiting remote areas, you really need to learn a few basic Malagasy phrases. You should bear in mind that very few people in Madagascar speak English well enough to hold a proper conversation.

Meeting People

English
Malagasy
Hello
Manahòana
How are you?
Manakòry
I’m fine thanks
Tsàra fa misàotra
Goodbye
Velòma
Please
Azafàdy
Excuse me
Azafàdy kèly e
Help me
Vonjèo
Do you speak English?
Mitèny anglìsy ve ianào?
I speak no Malagasy
Tsy mahày mitèny gàsy àho
I am sorry
Miàla tsìny àho
yes
èny
no
tsìa
What is your name?
Ìza no anaranào?
What do you do?
Ìnona no asanào?
How old are you?
Firy tàona ianào?
I am ... years old
... tàona àho
Where are you from?
Àvy àiza ianào?
I am from England
Avy àny Angletèra àho

Eating out

English
Malagasy
a glass of water
ràno irày vèra
a bottle of beer
labièra irày tavoahàngy
a cup of tea
ditè irày kàopy
a cup of coffee
kafè irày kàopy
a bill
addition
cold
mangatsìaka
hot
mamày
bread
mòfo
butter
dibèra

Accommodation

English
Malagasy
I am looking for a hotel
Mitàdy hôtèly àho
Where can I find a cheap hotel?
Àiza no mìsy hôtèly mòra?
Is there drinking water?
Mìsy ràno fisòtro ve èto?
Do you have any free rooms?
Mbola mìsy èfitra ve?
I would like a single/double room
Mìla èfitra tòkana/èfitra ho an’olon-dròa àho
How much is it per day?
Ohatrìnona ìsan’àndro?
Can I speak to the manager?
Afaka mirèsaka àmin’ ny mpandraharàha àho ve?
backpack
sac à dos
bathroom
fandròana
bed
fandrìana
clean sheets
drà madìo
credit card
carte de credit
hot water
ràno mafàna
room number
nimeràon’ ny èfitra

Methods of Transport

English
Malagasy
What time does the plane leave/arrive?
Àmin’ ny firy no miàla/tònga ny raoplànina?
the boat
ny sàmbo
the bus
ny bus
the train
ny masìnina
the taxi-brousse
by taxi-brousse
Where is the ticket office?
Àiza ny fivaròtana biè?
How long does the trip take?
Mahàritra hafirìana ny mankàny?
Can I please reserve a seat to ...?
Àfaka mamàndrika toèrana mankàny ... ve?
a return ticket
biè mandròso sy mivèrina
a single ticket
biè mandròso
Is it on time?
Tònga àra-potòana ve?
Where do I have to get out if I want to go to ...?
Àiza àho no miàla ràha ho àny ...?
Will you please let me know when we arrive at ...?
Làzainào àho ve rehèfa tònga ào ...?
How much is the taxi fare at the moment?
Ohatrìnona ny frais taxi izào?
Do you have any change?
Mànana madìnika ve ianào?

Getting about

English
Malagasy
How much is the entrance fee?
Ohatrìnona ny fidìrana?
I would like to visit the forest
Te ho àny an’ ala àho
I would like to go to the beach
Te ho àny amòron-drànomàsina àho
Is it alright to take photographs here?
Àzo hakàna sàry ve èto?
Is there a guide here who can speak English?
Mìsy gìda mahày mitèny anglìsy ve?
Where can I rent a car?
Àiza no àfaka manòfa tômôbìlina?
I would like a car with a driver please
Sàika hanòfa tômôbìlina mìsy saofèra àho
I would like to make a phone call
Sàika hiàntso telefàonina àho
Where can I find the nearest public telephone?
Àiza ny publiphone akàiky indrìndra èto?
Where can I find Internet access?
Àiza no mèty ahazòako mampiàsa Internet?
I would like to buy this
Tìako vidìana ity
Where can I find the nearest bank around here?
Aiza ny bànky akàiky indrìndra èto?
Where can I change some money around here?
Àiza no àfaka manakàlo vòla?
What is the exchange rate at the moment?
Ohatrìnona ny cours anìo?

Emergencies

English
Malagasy
I do not feel very well
Tsy metimèty àho
I need to see a doctor
Mìla dokotera àho
Where can I find a pharmacy which is open at the moment?
Farmasia ìza no misòkatra anìo àlina?
I have my own sterile syringe
Mànana fanindrònana àho
I am staying in Madagascar for ... days/weeks/months
Mijànona ... àndro/herinàndro/vòlana èto Madagasikàra àho
There has been an accident
Mìsy aksidà àtsy
Does anyone here speak any English?
Mìsy mitèny anglìsy ve?
Can you please help me?
Àfaka manàmpy àhy ve ianào?
Can you call the police please?
Àfaka miàntso pôlisy ve ianào?
Can you call the doctor please?
Àfaka miàntso dokotèra ve ianào?
Where is the nearest police station?
Àiza ny biràon’ ny pôlisy àho?
My passport has been stolen
Nìsy nangàlatra ny pasipàoro ko
I have been robbed
Nìsy nanèndaka àho

Other Useful Phrases

English
Malagasy
What is the weather like at the moment?
Manahòana ny àndro?
What is the weather going to be like tomorrow?
Hanào ahòana ny àndro rahampìtso?
It is very hot
Mafàna be ny àndro
It is very cold
Mangatsìaka be ny àndro
It is going to rain
Ho àvy ny òrana
I am running late
Tàra àho
What time is it at the moment?
Àmin’ ny firy izào?

Buy phrasebooks online at Amazon.co.uk

Have you been to Madagascar? Add your comment here