Order anything by pointing in Malagasy
I would like, this one, how much, the bill: survive any counter or menu. 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 11 Malagasy phrases in this lesson
- Mba omeo ... ahombah oo-MAY-oo ... ah-OO
- I would like...
- ItyEE-tee
- This one
- Ohatrinona izany?oh-hah-tree-NOH-nah ee-ZAHN-yee
- How much is it?
- Ny faktiora azafadynee fahk-too-OO-rah ah-zah-FAH-dee
- The bill, please
- Amin'ny karatraah-MEEN nee KAH-rah-trah
- By card
- Vola an-tananaVOO-lah ahn-TAH-nah-nah
- In cash
- RanoRAH-noo
- Water
- Kafekah-FAY
- Coffee
- DiteDEE-teh
- Tea
- Labieralah-bee-AIR-ah
- Beer
- Tsy asiana...tsee ah-SEE-nah
- Without...
Literally "please give me ...".
Point and say it.
Literally "how much is that?". Prices are in ariary, and markets expect bargaining.
Faktiora means bill or invoice. In casual settings, you might also say "inona ny vidin'any" (what is the price). Tipping is not expected but small rounding is appreciated.
Cards work in bigger hotels and city shops only.
Literally "money in hand". Cash is the norm.
Tap water quality varies; bottled water (rano vita) is recommended in rural areas. Always drink something, the heat is constant. Bottled water is cheap and available everywhere.
Three Horses Beer, THB, is the national lager.
Literally "don't put in ...": "tsy asiana siramamy", no sugar.