Help and emergencies in Malagasy
The words you hope to never need. Play the ten Malagasy words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Malagasy phrases in this lesson
- Vonjeo!von-JAY-oo
- Help!
- Miantso dôktera azafadymee-ahn-tsoo dook-TEH-rah ah-zah-FAH-dee
- Call a doctor
- Polisypoo-lee-SEE
- Police
- Fivarotam-panafodyfee-vah-roo-tahm-pah-nah-FOO-dee
- Pharmacy
- Hopitalyhoo-pee-tah-LEE
- Hospital
- Very ahoVEH-ree ah-OO
- I'm lost
- Tsy salama ahotsee sah-LAH-mah ah-OO
- I don't feel well
- Nangalarinanahn-gah-lah-REE-nah
- It was stolen
- Maika ityMAI-kah EE-tee
- It's an emergency
- Avelao ahoah-veh-LOW ah-OO
- Leave me alone
Vonjeo is a cry for help. In an emergency, it will draw attention fast. French secours (help) works too, especially in towns. Most Malagasy people will respond to genuine distress.
Miantso is call, dôktera is doctor. Hospitals exist in major towns. Medical care varies widely in quality. In rural areas, traditional healers are consulted first.
Polisy is police. Call 117 or find a station in town. Police presence varies. Corruption is common; avoid drawing attention unless the situation is serious. Most tourist areas are relatively safe.
Literally "medicine shop".
Hopitaly is hospital. Major towns have decent facilities. The best hospitals are private. Standard care is basic; serious cases require travel to the capital. Insurance is wise.
Literally "I am lost".
Literally "I am not healthy".
Literally "this is urgent".
Literally "leave me".