Banking & ATM

1. Aiza ny banky?

   A-i-za ny ban-ky

   Where is the bank?

   Usage

   Basic phrase to ask for the bank's location

   Grammar Note

   "Banky" is borrowed from French "banque." French-named banks are common in Madagascar due to colonial history.

2. Mila manakalo vola aho

   Mi-la ma-na-ka-lo vo-la a-ho

   I need to exchange money

   Usage

   Asking for currency exchange. Madagascar's currency is the ariary

   Grammar Note

   "Vola" means both money and silver. In Malagasy, precious metals and money often share etymological roots.

3. Aiza ny milina mpamindra vola?

   A-i-za ny mi-li-na mpa-min-dra vo-la

   Where is the ATM?

   Usage

   Asking for the location of an ATM

   Grammar Note

   ATM is described as "milina mpamindra vola" (a machine that moves money). The "mpa-" prefix marks the agent ("one who does ..."): mpamindra comes from mamindra (to move / transfer).

4. Misy saran-draharaha ve?

   Mi-sy sa-ran-dra-ha-ra-ha ve

   Is there a transaction fee?

   Usage

   Checking if there are any fees for a bank transaction

   Grammar Note

   Sara means "fee, fare, rent for use" and takes the form saran- in compounds (saran-dakana "boat fare", saram-pianarana "tuition"). Raharaha is "business, transaction", so saran-draharaha is "transaction fee". Sentence-final ve marks the question.

5. Ariary no vola ampiasain'ny Malagasy

   A-ri-a-ry no vo-la am-pi-a-sa-in'ny Ma-la-ga-sy

   The ariary is the currency used in Madagascar

   Usage

   Explaining Madagascar's currency

   Grammar Note

   "Ampiasain'ny" is the passive ampiasaina (stem ampiasa "to use" + passive -ina) shortened to -in' before "ny"; it means "used by".

6. Mety ampiasaina ve ny karatra?

   Me-ty am-pia-sai-na ve ny ka-ra-tra

   Can I use a credit card?

   Usage

   Checking if card payment is accepted at a shop or venue

   Grammar Note

   "Mety" indicates possibility or permission; ampiasaina is the passive of mampiasa (to use), i.e. "is used". Karatra is the word for a card or ticket. In Madagascar cash is dominant and card acceptance is limited.

7. Manontany momba ny tahiry aho

   Ma-non-ta-ny mo-mba ny ta-hi-ry a-ho

   I would like to inquire about an account

   Usage

   Making inquiries at a bank about an account

   Grammar Note

   "Momba" is a preposition-like word meaning "about/regarding." "Manontany" is appropriate for formal inquiries.

8. Maka vola aho

   Ma-ka vo-la a-ho

   I am withdrawing money

   Usage

   Used when withdrawing money at an ATM or bank counter

   Grammar Note

   Maka means "to take, to fetch", so maka vola is "to withdraw money". Do not confuse it with mampindrana "to lend" or mindrana "to borrow". Word order is verb-object-subject (VOS).

9. Avelao aho handoa vola

   A-ve-la-o a-ho han-doa vo-la

   Please let me pay

   Usage

   Offering to make a payment

   Grammar Note

   "Avelao aho ~" means "let me ~" — requesting permission. Avelao is the passive imperative, followed by aho (I) as the one being allowed. The "han-" prefix expresses future intent or will.

10. Mangataka rosia aho

    Man-ga-ta-ka ro-si-a a-ho

    I would like a receipt

    Usage

    Asking for a receipt after a transaction

    Grammar Note

    "Rosia" means "receipt" and is the same word used in the business, convenience-store and market cards. "Mangataka" means "to ask for / request", and the subject aho comes last (VOS).

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