Malagasy Phrases

The Malagasy phrases are helpful because they are used daily. Below we picked expressions that a new learner will find useful. We included the audio as well. This is a better way to learning. Learn only what you need. We start with greetings and introduction.

Hi:

What is your name?: izy no anaranao

Nice to meet you:

How are you?: manao ahoana ianao

I'm good, thanks: tsara fa misaotra

And you?: ary ianao?

Language and Age Phrases

More questions about language and age:

Do you speak (English/Malagasy)?: miteny (anglisy/malagasy) ve ianao?

Does she speak Chinese?: miteny sinoa ve izy?

A little bit: kelikely fotsiny

How old are you?: firy taona ianao

I'm 33 years old: telo amby telopolo aho

It was nice talking to you: nahafinaritra ny niresaka taminao

If you don't understand something, this will be your secret weapon:

What do you mean?: inona no tianao ho lazaina?

I don't understand: tsy azoko / tsy mazava amiko

I don't know: tsy fantatro

Sorry: azafady / miala tsiny

What is that called in Malagasy?: inona no anaran'ity amin'ny teny malagasy?

What does that word mean in English?: inona no dikan'ity teny ity amin'ny teny anglisy

More personal information about origins and profession:

Where are you from?: avy aiza ianao?

I'm from the U.S: avy any etazonia aho

I'm American: amerikanina aho

Where do you live?: aiza ianao no mipetraka?

I live in the U.S: any etazonia aho no mipetraka

What do you do for a living?: inona no antom-pivelomanao?

I'm a student: mpianatra aho

Offering or asking for help and giving directions:

Can I help you?: afaka manampy anao ve aho?

Can you help me?: afaka manampy ahy ve ianao?

Where is the airport?: aiza ny seranam-piaramanidina?

Go straight: mandehana mahitsy

Then: avy eo

Turn left: mihodona miankavia

Turn right: mihodona miankavanana

Holiday Wishes Phrases

Good wishes in Malagasy in holidays and occasions:

Happy birthday: arabaina tratry ny tsigerin-taoana nahaterahana

Happy new year: arahaba tratry ny taona

Merry Christmas: arahaba tratry krisimasy

Good luck: tsar?

Congratulations: arabaina

Malagasy expressions commonly used when traveling or buying:

I have a reservation: nanao famandrinana aho

Do you have rooms available?: mbola manana efitrano malalaka ve ianareo?

I would like a non-smoking room: mila efitrano tsy azo hifohana sigara aho

How much it costs per night?: ohatrinona isan'alina no sarany?

Waiter: mpandroso sakafo

How much is this?: ohatrinona ity?

What is this?: inona ity?

Survival phrases considered to be important in emergencies:

Are you okay?: manao ahoana ianao

I need a doctor: mila dokotera aho

Help: fanampiana

Call the ambulance: miantsoa ambilansa

Call the police: miantsoa polisy

I am sick: marary aho

These Malagasy phrases can be used in a variety of conversations. If you have already visited our Malagasy Vocabulary and Malagasy Grammar, you might want to visit our Malagasy Flashcards to practice what you learned.