Accessibility

1. Azo aleha amin'ny seza mirindra ve ity toerana ity?

   a-zo a-LE-ha a-min'ny SE-za mi-RIN-dra ve i-ty toe-RA-na i-ty

   Is this place wheelchair accessible?

   Usage

   Used to ask whether a location is accessible for wheelchair users

   Grammar Note

   Malagasy uses VOS word order. "Azo aleha" is the passive potential form meaning "can be entered"

2. Misy ascenseur ve ianareo?

   MI-sy as-cen-SEUR ve ia-NA-re-o

   Do you have an elevator / lift?

   Usage

   Used to ask whether an elevator is available at a facility

   Grammar Note

   "Misy" expresses existence or possession; "ianareo" is the plural second-person pronoun, used politely. Malagasy has no native word for a lift, so the French ascenseur is used as is

3. Mila efitrano manana fitaovam-panampiana aho.

   MI-la e-fi-TRA-no ma-NA-na fi-ta-o-vam-pa-NAM-pia-na A-ho

   I need a room with accessibility features.

   Usage

   Used when booking or requesting an accessible room at a hotel

   Grammar Note

   Malagasy places the verb first and subject last. "Aho" (I) appears at the end due to VOS word order

4. Misy lalana mirindra na fidirana tsy misy vato ve?

   MI-sy la-LA-na mi-RIN-dra na fi-DI-ra-na tsy MI-sy VA-to ve

   Is there a ramp or step-free entrance?

   Usage

   Used to ask about ramp or step-free access at an entrance

   Grammar Note

   "Tsy misy" is the negative existential meaning "there is no". "Tsy misy vato" means "no steps"

5. Aiza ny kabone ho an'ny olona manana kilema?

   AI-za ny ka-BO-ne ho an'ny O-lo-na ma-NA-na ki-LE-ma

   Where is the accessible restroom?

   Usage

   Used to locate an accessible restroom for people with disabilities

   Grammar Note

   Malagasy uses the definite article "ny" before nouns. "Ho an'ny" is a prepositional phrase expressing purpose or beneficiary

6. Malemy maso aho — afaka manampy ahy ve ianao?

   ma-LE-my MA-so A-ho — a-FA-ka ma-NAM-py A-hy ve ia-NAO

   I am visually impaired — can you help me?

   Usage

   Used to communicate visual impairment and ask for assistance

   Grammar Note

   "Afaka" is a modal expressing ability and "ianao" is the singular second person. Malemy maso is a set phrase, literally "weak of eye" = visually impaired. Jamba means "blind", but malemy maso is the gentler way to describe oneself or another person

7. Misy lisitry ny sakafo amin'ny litera lehibe ve ianareo?

   MI-sy li-SIT-ry ny sa-KA-fo a-min'ny li-TE-ra LE-hi-be ve ia-NA-re-o

   Do you have large-print menus?

   Usage

   Used at restaurants to request a large-print menu for visually impaired guests

   Grammar Note

   "Amin'ny" is a preposition indicating place, method, or means. Here it means "in" (large print)

8. Misy torolalana audio azo ampiasaina ve?

   MI-sy to-ro-la-LA-na AU-di-o a-zo am-pia-SAI-na ve

   Are there audio guides available?

   Usage

   Used at museums or tourist attractions to inquire about audio guides

   Grammar Note

   "Azo ampiasaina" combines "azo" (can be) + "ampiasaina" (used/passive), meaning "available for use"

9. Mampiasa fitaovana fandrenesana aho — azafady mitenena mazava.

   mam-PIA-sa fi-ta-O-va-na fan-dre-ne-SA-na A-ho — a-za-FA-dy mi-te-NE-na ma-ZA-va

   I use a hearing aid — please speak clearly.

   Usage

   Used to inform someone of hearing aid use and request clear speech

   Grammar Note

   "Azafady" is a polite request marker. The sentence splits into two clauses: the first states the situation, the second makes the request

10. Afaka mitondra ny alikako mpanampy ve aho?

    a-FA-ka mi-TON-dra ny a-li-KA-ko mpa-NAM-py ve A-ho

    Can I bring my service/guide dog?

    Usage

    Used to ask whether a service or guide dog is permitted inside a venue

    Grammar Note

    "Alikako" is "alika" (dog) + the possessive suffix "-ko" (my). Mpanampy is manampy (to help) with the agent prefix mpa-, so alika mpanampy is "assistance dog". Avoid the similar-looking mpanompo, which means "servant, slave".

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