Language Basics
Malagasy uses a Verb-Object-Subject word order. English, and most European languages uses a SVO order.
Malagasy uses the passive tense much more than European languages.
That is you would rather say something like: The ball is being kicked by me.
(This reflects the cultural orientation of avoiding conflict and maintaining good relationships.)
The stress of a word usually falls on the penultimate, or pre-penultimate syllable. That is the 2nd or 3rd last syllable.
For example the surname Ravalomanana Stressin Capitals: RavaloMAnana and NOT RavalomaNANA
It is interesting to note that when giving an order, one should use the passive tense. Using the active tense indicates a suggestion.
Aloavy ny vola! The money should be paid! This is a clear, strict order.
Mandoava ny vola! In active: Pay the money! Is a gentler suggestion, but people often use the active to avoid the potentially aggresively sounding passive.
The verb TO BE does not exist in Malagasy.
Useful Phrases
Pronounciation: IPA symbols should be added
Hello,Hi, Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening: Manao ahoana!
Goodbye: Veloma!
Good: Tsara
Bad: Ratsy
Thank you Misaotra
Thank you very much! Misaotra betsaka!
My pleasure Tsy misy fisaorana!
My name is XXXX XXX no anarako.
Where does this bus go? Handeha ho aiza ity bus ity?
How much? Hoatrinona?
Expensive Lafo
Cheap/ Easy Mora
Hot Mafana
Cold Mangatsiaka
Far lavitra
Close akaiky
A long time Ela
Not a long time Tsy ela
What Inona
Where Aiza
How Ahoana
When (past) Oviana
When (future) Raoviana
Today Androany
Tomorrow Rahampitso
Yesterday Omaly
Negation: If you add TSY infront of a word it means Not XXXX
Example: Lafo (expensive) Tsy lafo (not expensive)
Question: You form a question by adding the word ve
Question: Lafo ve? Would mean: Is it expensive?
Aza fady is a very useful phrase. If you use it at the beginning of a sentence it means :Excuse me!
And when you use it at the end of a sentence it means: Please!
Additional Information
Peacecorps volunteers learn Malagasy. This is one of the documents they use. Probably more than what you need, but interesting!
A beautiful document from Wild Madagascar
iLanguages with audio
