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Lesson 7 of 10
Meeting people in Malagasy
How are you, what is your name, where are you from, I like it: the first five minutes. 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
- Manao ahoana ianao?mah-NOW ah-OO-nah ee-AH-nao
- How are you?
- Tsara aho, misaotraTSAH-rah ah-OO, mee-SOW-trah
- I'm fine, thanks
- Ary ianao?AHR ee-AH-nao
- And you?
- Iza no anaranao?EE-zah noo ah-nah-rah-NOW
- What's your name?
- ... no anarakonoo ah-nah-RAH-koo
- My name is...
- Avy aiza ianao?AH-vee AI-zah ee-ah-NOW
- Where are you from?
- Avy any ... ahoAH-vee AH-nee ... ah-OO
- I'm from...
- Tiakotee-AH-koo
- I like it
- KantoKAHN-too
- It's beautiful
- Tongasoatoon-gah-SOO-ah
- Welcome
The formal version, though formality is light in Madagascar. The person will likely answer honestly and at length. Budget time for the reply.
Always volley it back. Ary is and. The reciprocal greeting matters; ignoring the question back is rude. Always ask the person how they are doing.
The name comes first.
Literally "arrived well".