Beauty & Grooming

1. Te-hanety volo aho.

   I'd like a haircut.

   Usage

   Used to request a haircut

   Grammar Note

   "te-" is the desiderative prefix and takes the future form: manety "to cut hair" (root hety "scissors") → hanety

2. Kely fotsiny azafady — aza manapaka be.

   Just a trim, please — don't cut too much.

   Usage

   Used to request a light trim

   Grammar Note

   "aza" is a prohibitive particle

3. Te-handoko ny voloko [loko] aho.

   I'd like to dye my hair [color].

   Usage

   Used to request hair dyeing

   Grammar Note

   mandoko (root loko "colour") means "to colour"; its future is handoko, and te- + future expresses "I want to …"

4. Afaka mahita boky amin'ny style volon-doha ve aho?

   Can I look at a hairstyle book?

   Usage

   Used to request a hairstyle catalog

   Grammar Note

   "afaka mahita...ve aho" asks for permission to see

5. Te-hanao shampoo sy soufla-volo aho.

   I'd like a shampoo and blow-dry.

   Usage

   Used to request shampoo and blow-dry

   Grammar Note

   "te-hanao" means "want to do"

6. Manao nail art ve ianareo?

   Do you offer nail art?

   Usage

   Used to ask about nail art services

   Grammar Note

   "manao...ve ianareo" asks "do you offer"

7. Te-hanao fangao gel / akrylika aho.

   I'd like gel nails / acrylic nails.

   Usage

   Used to request gel or acrylic nails

   Grammar Note

   "te-hanao" means "want to have done"

8. Ohatrinona no sarany amin'ity?

   How much will this cost?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the cost

   Grammar Note

   "ohatrinona no sarany" asks "how much is the cost"

9. Firy minitra no ilaina?

   How long will it take?

   Usage

   Used to ask how long the service will take

   Grammar Note

   "Firy minitra no ilaina" asks "how many minutes are needed". Hafiriana asks "how many days" and is not used for the length of a salon appointment

10. Te-hanao faitsiam-tava / fitsaboana hoditra aho.

    I'd like a facial / skin treatment.

    Usage

    Used to request facial or skin treatment

    Grammar Note

    "te-hanao" means "want to do/have"

11. Ngita ny voloko / Mahitsy / Malemy / Matevina.

    My hair is curly / straight / fine / thick.

    Usage

    Used to describe hair type

    Grammar Note

    In Malagasy the adjective stands first as the predicate and the subject (ny voloko, "my hair") follows. Ngita is the adjective for woolly, tightly curled hair

12. Afaka mahitsy / manao perm ny voloko ve ianareo?

    Can you straighten / perm my hair?

    Usage

    Used to request straightening or perming

    Grammar Note

    "afaka...ve ianareo" asks "can you"

13. Faly loatra aho amin'ny vokatra — misaotra.

    I'm very happy with the result — thank you.

    Usage

    Used to express satisfaction with the result

    Grammar Note

    "faly loatra" means "very happy"

14. Afaka mamorona / manety ny volomasoko ve ianareo?

    Can you shape / thread my eyebrows?

    Usage

    Used to request eyebrow shaping or threading

    Grammar Note

    "afaka...ve ianareo" asks "can you"; volomaso is volo ("hair") + maso ("eye"), and -ko makes it "my eyebrows"

15. Mila fandaharam-potoana ve aho?

    Do I need to make an appointment?

    Usage

    Used to ask if an appointment is needed

    Grammar Note

    "mila...ve aho" asks "do I need"

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