Malagasy phrases | Most common phrases for everyday life

Malagasy phrases – Here you will find the most common phrases in Malagasy with translation. | Free & useful

Malagasy phrases are short expressions or idioms often used in speech to be polite, express gratitude, greet or say goodbye or simply to have a pleasant conversation.

They are an important part of Malagasy culture and can be useful in different situations, both in private and business life.

Malagasy phrases you should know

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Greet someone in Malagasy

If you want to greet someone in Malagasy, it’s actually quite easy:

English	Malagasy	IPA
Welcome in Malagasy	Tonga soa eto amin’ny tranonkala	[ˈtuŋɡa ˈsuə ˈetʷu ˈaminˌtranunˈkala]
Good day to you! in Malagasy	Arahaba soa andro!	[aˈrahəba ˈsuə ˈandru]
Good morning to you! in Malagasy	Arahaba maraina!	[aˈrahəba maˈrainə]
Good evening! in Malagasy	Arahaba hariva!	[aˈrahəba haˈrivə]
Good to see you. in Malagasy	Faly mahita anao.	[ˈfalʲ maˈhitə ˈnaʷ]
I’m glad to see you. in Malagasy	Faly aho mahita anao.	[ˈfalʲ ˈahʷ maˈhitə ˈnaʷ]

If you are greeted in Malagasy, the best way to respond is as follows:

English	Malagasy	IPA
Have a nice day too! in Malagasy	Manàna andro mahafinaritra koa!	[maˈnanə ˈandru mahaˈfinarit͡ʂə kuˈa]
Thanks, it’s nice to see you too. in Malagasy	Misaotra, mahafinaritra koa ny mahita anao.	[miˈsutrə mahaˈfinarit͡ʂə kuˈa ni maˈhitə ˈnaʷ]

How is my dialogue partner?

As in any other country, it is polite to start by asking where the person you are talking to is located. Here’s how you do it:

English	Malagasy	IPA
How are you doing? in Malagasy	Ahoana ny fandehanana?	[aˈwanə ni fanˈdenanə]
Are you doing well? in Malagasy	Tsara ve ny fandehanana?	[ˈt͡sarə ve ni fanˈdenanə]

If you are asked how you feel, you can answer with the following phrases:

English	Malagasy	IPA
Thank you for asking, I am fine.	Misaotra nanontany, salama tsara aho.	[miˈsutrə nanunˈtanʲ saləˈma ˈt͡sarə ˈahʷ]
Thank you, I am fine.	Misaotra, salama tsara aho.	[miˈsutrə saləˈma ˈt͡sarə ˈahʷ]
Thank you, I am not doing so well.	Misaotra, tsy dia salama loatra aho.	[miˈsutrə t͡si diə saləˈma ˈluatrə ˈahʷ]
Thanks, I’m fine. How are you doing?	Misaotra, salama aho. Ahoana ny fandehanana?	[miˈsutrə saləˈma ˈahʷ aˈwanə ni fanˈdenanə]

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How do I say goodbye to someone in Malagasy?

Saying goodbye to a friend or stranger in Malagasy is not that difficult. Just use the following phrases:

English	Malagasy	IPA
Goodbye! in Malagasy	Veloma!	[ˈvelumə]
Take care of yourself! in Malagasy	Mitandrema ianao!	[mitanˈdremə iˈnaʷ]
See you tomorrow in Malagasy	Hifankahita rahampitso	[hifankaˈhitə rahamˈpit͡su]
See you soon in Malagasy	Hifankahita tsy ho ela	[hifankaˈhitə t͡si u ˈelə]
See you later in Malagasy	Hifankahita atsy ho atsy	[hifankaˈhitə ˈat͡si u ˈat͡si]
Good night in Malagasy	Alina tsara	[ˈalinə ˈt͡sarə]
Sleep well in Malagasy	Mandry fahizay	[ˈmandri faˈhizai̯]
Talk to you later. in Malagasy	Hiresaka aminao any aoriana.	[hiˈresakə aminˈnaʷ ˈanj aʷˈrianə]
Nice to have met you! in Malagasy	Faly nahafantatra anao!	[ˈfalʲ nahaˈfantatrə ˈnaʷ]

How do I introduce myself in Malagasy?

When travelling in Madagascar, sooner or later you will come into contact with local people. Naturally, you’ll want to introduce yourself in Malagasy and know who you’re talking to.

English	Malagasy	IPA
My name is Jonas.	Ny anarako dia Jonas.	[ni anaˈrakʷ ˈdiə ˈʒunas]
What is your name? in Malagasy	Iza no anaranao?	[ˈizə nu anaraˈnaʷ]
What is your surname? in Malagasy	Iza no fanampin’anaranao?	[ˈizə nu fanampinaˈnaʷ]
What is your first name? in Malagasy	Iza no anarana voalohanao?	[ˈizə nu anaraˈnavuˈalunəʷ]

If you want to tell people where you come from, the following sentences are useful:

English	Malagasy	IPA
Where do you come from? in Malagasy	Avy aiza ianao?	[ˈavʲ ˈajzə iˈnaʷ]
I am from London.	Avy any Londres aho.	[ˈavʲ ˈanj ˈlundres ˈahʷ]
Are you from Birmingham?	Avy any Birmingham ve ianao?	[ˈavʲ ˈanj ˈbirmiŋham ve iˈnaʷ]
No, I’m from Madrid.	Tsia, avy any Madrid aho.	[ˈt͡siə ˈavʲ ˈanj maˈdrit ˈahʷ]
Great, I’m from Madrid too.	Tena tsara! Avy any Madrid koa aho.	[ˈtenə ˈt͡sarə ˈavʲ ˈanj maˈdrit kuˈa ˈahʷ]
Where do you live?	Mipetraka aiza ianao?	[miˈpetrakə ˈajzə iˈnaʷ]
I live in Berlin.	Mipetraka any Berlin aho.	[miˈpetrakə ˈanj berˈlin ˈahʷ]

If you have problems with your Malagasy, it is good to know which languages are still spoken:

English	Malagasy	IPA
Do you speak English?	Miteny anglisy ve ianao?	[miˈtenʲ aŋˈɡlisʲ ve iˈnaʷ]
Yes, I speak English. in Malagasy	Eny, miteny anglisy aho.	[ˈenj miˈtenʲ aŋˈɡlisʲ ˈahʷ]
Yes, I speak some English. in Malagasy	Eny, miteny anglisy kely aho.	[ˈenj miˈtenʲ aŋˈɡlisʲ ˈkelʲ ˈahʷ]
No, I do not speak any English.	Tsia, tsy miteny anglisy aho.	[ˈt͡siə t͡si miˈtenʲ aŋˈɡlisʲ ˈahʷ]
I only speak English.	Miteny anglisy ihany aho.	[miˈtenʲ aŋˈɡlisʲ iˈhanʲ ˈahʷ]
I understand some Malagasy.	Mahafantatra teny malagasy kely aho.	[mahaˈfantatrə ˈtenʲ malaˈɡasʲ ˈkelʲ ˈahʷ]

Useful sentences with ‘I am…’

The following sentences will help you orientate yourself in Malagasy and express your wishes and concerns:

English	Malagasy	IPA
I am English.	Anglisy aho.	[ˈaŋɡlisʲ ˈahʷ]
I am injured. in Malagasy	Maratra aho.	[maˈratrə ˈahʷ]
I am here. in Malagasy	Eto aho.	[ˈetʷ ˈahʷ]
I am hungry. in Malagasy	Noana aho.	[ˈnwanə ˈahʷ]
I am thirsty. in Malagasy	Mangetaheta aho.	[maŋɡətəˈhetə ˈahʷ]
I am a single person. in Malagasy	Tokana aho.	[ˈtukənə ˈahʷ]
I need help! in Malagasy	Mila fanampiana aho!	[ˈmilə fanamˈpjanə ˈahʷ]
I am tired. in Malagasy	Vizana aho.	[ˈvizanə ˈahʷ]
I am happy. in Malagasy	Faly aho.	[ˈfalʲ ˈahʷ]
I am sad. in Malagasy	Malahelo aho.	[malaˈhelʷ ˈahʷ]
I am in love. in Malagasy	Mifankatia aho.	[mifanˈkatiə ˈahʷ]
I am ill. in Malagasy	Marary aho.	[maˈrarʲ ˈahʷ]
I am ready. in Malagasy	Vonona aho.	[ˈvununə ˈahʷ]
I am busy. in Malagasy	Miasa aho.	[ˈmjasə ˈahʷ]
I am lost. in Malagasy	Very aho.	[ˈverʲ ˈahʷ]
I am a tourist. in Malagasy	Mpizaha tany aho.	[mpiˈzahə ˈtanʲ ˈahʷ]
I am new here. in Malagasy	Vaovao eto aho.	[vawˈvaw ˈetʷ ˈahʷ]
I am confident. in Malagasy	Matoky tena aho.	[maˈtukʲ ˈtenə ˈahʷ]
I am proud. in Malagasy	Mirehareha aho.	[mirəˈharehə ˈahʷ]
I am a teacher. in Malagasy	Mpampianatra aho.	[mpampjaˈnatrə ˈahʷ]
I am late. in Malagasy	Tara aho.	[ˈtarə ˈahʷ]
I am 30 years old. in Malagasy	30 taona aho.	[ˈtelupulu ˈtawnə ˈahʷ]
I am in a hurry. in Malagasy	Maika aho.	[ˈmajkə ˈahʷ]
I am happy. in Malagasy	Faly aho.	[ˈfalʲ ˈahʷ]
I am surprised. in Malagasy	Gaga aho.	[ˈɡaɡə ˈahʷ]
I am angry. in Malagasy	Tefa aho.	[ˈtefə ˈahʷ]

Apologising in Malagasy

Here’s how to apologise to a Malagasy speaker:

English	Malagasy	IPA
I apologise. in Malagasy	Miala tsiny aho.	[ˈmialə ˈt͡sinʲ ˈahʷ]
Sorry, that was not the intention. in Malagasy	Miala tsiny, tsy fanahy iniana izany.	[ˈmialə ˈt͡sinʲ t͡si fəˈnahʲ iˈnianə ˈzanʲ]
Sorry, I did not do it on purpose. in Malagasy	Miala tsiny, tsy nataoko niniana izany.	[ˈmialə ˈt͡sinʲ t͡si naˈtawkʷ niniˈanə ˈzanʲ]
Sorry, that was very clumsy of me. in Malagasy	Miala tsiny, tena tsy mahay aho.	[ˈmialə ˈt͡sinʲ ˈtenə t͡si maˈhaj ˈahʷ]

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Useful signs and notices in Malagasy

Useful signs and messages in Malagasy that you will often see.

English	Malagasy	IPA
Entrance in Malagasy	Fidirana	[fiˈdiranə]
Toilet in Malagasy	Trano fivoahana	[ˈtranʷ fivʷaˈanə]
Exit in Malagasy	Fivoahana	[fivʷaˈanə]
Attention! in Malagasy	Mitandrema!	[mitanˈdremə]
Police in Malagasy	Pôlisy	[ˈpolisʲ]
Emergency services in Malagasy	Vonjy taitra	[ˈvunɟ taˈit͡ʂə]
Fire brigade in Malagasy	Mpamono afo	[mpamuˈnʷ ˈafʷ]
Passage forbidden. in Malagasy	Voarara ny mandalo.	[vʷaˈrarə ni manˈdalʷ]
Caution! in Malagasy	Mitandrema!	[mitanˈdremə]
This building is under video surveillance. in Malagasy	Arovana amin’ny fakantsary ity trano ity.	[aˈruvanə aminˈnʲ fakant͡sarʲ ˈitʲ ˈtranʷ ˈitʲ]

Numbers to 25 in Malagasy

Counting in Malagasy is not that difficult. Here are the numbers in Malagasy from 1 to 25.

English	Malagasy	IPA
1 in Malagasy	Isa iray	[ˈisə iˈraj]
2 in Malagasy	Isa roa	[ˈisə ˈruə]
3 in Malagasy	Isa telo	[ˈisə ˈtelʷ]
4 in Malagasy	Isa efatra	[ˈisə ˈefatrə]
5 in Malagasy	Isa dimy	[ˈisə ˈdimʲ]
6 in Malagasy	Isa enina	[ˈisə eˈninə]
7 in Malagasy	Isa fito	[ˈisə ˈfitʷ]
8 in Malagasy	Isa valo	[ˈisə ˈvalʷ]
9 in Malagasy	Isa sivy	[ˈisə ˈsivʲ]
10 in Malagasy	Isa folo	[ˈisə ˈfulʷ]
11 in Malagasy	Iraika ambin’ny folo	[iˈrajkʲ ambiˈnə fulʷ]
12 in Malagasy	Roa ambin’ny folo	[ˈruə ambiˈnə fulʷ]
13 in Malagasy	Telo ambin’ny folo	[ˈtelʷ ambiˈnə fulʷ]
14 in Malagasy	Efatra ambin’ny folo	[ˈefatrə ambiˈnə fulʷ]
15 in Malagasy	Dimy ambin’ny folo	[ˈdimʲ ambiˈnə fulʷ]
16 in Malagasy	Enina ambin’ny folo	[eˈninə ambiˈnə fulʷ]
17 in Malagasy	Fito ambin’ny folo	[ˈfitʷ ambiˈnə fulʷ]
18 in Malagasy	Valo ambin’ny folo	[ˈvalʷ ambiˈnə fulʷ]
19 in Malagasy	Sivy ambin’ny folo	[ˈsivʲ ambiˈnə fulʷ]
20 in Malagasy	Roa-polo	[ˈruəˌpulʷ]
21 in Malagasy	Iraika amby roa-polo	[iˈrajkʲ ambʲ ˈruəˌpulʷ]
22 in Malagasy	Roa amby roa-polo	[ˈruə ambʲ ˈruəˌpulʷ]
23 in Malagasy	Telo amby roa-polo	[ˈtelʷ ambʲ ˈruəˌpulʷ]
24 in Malagasy	Efatra amby roa-polo	[ˈefatrə ambʲ ˈruəˌpulʷ]
25 in Malagasy	Dimy amby roa-polo	[ˈdimʲ ambʲ ˈruəˌpulʷ]

The colours in Malagasy

The most common colours in Malagasy with phonetic transcription for pronunciation.

English	Malagasy	IPA
Red in Malagasy	Mena	[ˈmenə]
Blue in Malagasy	Manga	[ˈmaŋɡə]
Yellow in Malagasy	Volom-boasary	[vʷuˈlumbwaˈsarʲ]
Green in Malagasy	Maitso	[ˈmait͡sʷ]
Black in Malagasy	Mainty	[ˈmain̪tʲ]
White in Malagasy	Fotsy	[ˈfut͡sʲ]
Orange in Malagasy	Volomboasary	[vʷuˈlumbwaˈsarʲ]
Purple in Malagasy	Volom-parasy	[vʷuˈlumˈparasʲ]
Pink in Malagasy	Volon-davenona	[vʷuˈlundavenʷnə]
Brown in Malagasy	Volon-kazo	[vʷuˈluŋˈkazʷ]

Days of the week, months and seasons in Malagasy

Of course, you will also need the days of the week in Malagasy and the pronunciation of the months and seasons in dialogues and daily communication in Malagasy.

Days of the Week
English	Malagasy	IPA
Monday in Malagasy	Alatsinainy	[alat͡siˈnainʲ]
Tuesday in Malagasy	Talata	[taˈlatə]
Wednesday in Malagasy	Alarobia	[alaˈrubʲə]
Thursday in Malagasy	Alakamisy	[alakaˈmisʲ]
Friday in Malagasy	Zoma	[ˈzumə]
Saturday in Malagasy	Sabotsy	[saˈbut͡sʲ]
Sunday in Malagasy	Alahady	[alaˈhadʲ]
Months
English	Malagasy	IPA
January in Malagasy	Janoary	[d͡ʒanuˈarʲ]
February in Malagasy	Febroary	[februˈarʲ]
March in Malagasy	Martsa	[ˈmart͡sə]
April in Malagasy	Aprily	[aˈprilʲ]
May in Malagasy	May	[ˈmaj]
June in Malagasy	Jona	[ˈd͡ʒunə]
July in Malagasy	Jolay	[ˈd͡ʒulaj]
August in Malagasy	Aogositra	[awɡuˈsit͡rə]
September in Malagasy	Septambra	[sepˈtambrə]
October in Malagasy	Oktobra	[ukˈtubrə]
November in Malagasy	Novambra	[nuˈvambrə]
December in Malagasy	Desambra	[deˈsambrə]
Seasons
English	Malagasy	IPA
Spring in Malagasy	Lohataona	[luhaˈtawnə]
Summer in Malagasy	Fahavaratra	[fahavaˈrat͡rə]
Autumn / Fall in Malagasy	Fararano	[faraˈranʷ]
Winter in Malagasy	Ririnina	[rirʲˈninə]

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More information about the Malagasy Business Course.

Additional links

• The different ways of learning languages
• Learning vocabulary successfully
• Motivated language learning
• It is so easy to train your understanding of a language at the same time
• Learning languages quickly? – Is it possible?
• The different types of learners when learning languages

More information about the Malagasy Course for Children.