Contacts & SNS

1. Inona ny nomerao telefaonana?

   I-no-na ny no-me-rao te-le-fao-na-na?

   What is your phone number?

   Usage

   Basic phrase for exchanging contact information

   Grammar Note

   "nomerao" is borrowed from French "numéro" (number). "telefaonana" comes from "téléphone". Malagasy has many French loanwords due to colonial history.

2. Inona ny adiresy mailaka?

   I-no-na ny a-di-re-sy mai-la-ka?

   What is your email address?

   Usage

   Asking for an email address

   Grammar Note

   "Inona" is the question word for "what" (things). Often used when asking about objects or information.

3. Mampiasa WhatsApp ve ianao?

   Mam-pi-a-sa WhatsApp ve ia-nao?

   Do you use WhatsApp?

   Usage

   WhatsApp and Facebook are the most widely used apps in Madagascar

   Grammar Note

   "ve" is the question particle placed after the verb. Internet access is growing in Madagascan urban areas.

4. Aoka hitoetra mifandray isika

   Ao-ka hi-to-et-ra mi-fan-dray i-si-ka

   Let's stay in touch

   Usage

   Expressing the wish to keep in contact when parting

   Grammar Note

   Malagasy distinguishes "isika" (inclusive "we" including listener) from "izahay" (exclusive "we" excluding listener).

5. Mihaona indray isika

   Mi-ha-o-na in-dray i-si-ka

   Let's meet again

   Usage

   Expressing hope to meet again when saying goodbye

   Grammar Note

   mihaona (root haona) means "to meet". The subject isika is the inclusive "we", so the sentence means "let's meet again". "indray" is an adverb meaning "again/once more."

6. Omeko ny adiresy mifandray

   O-me-ko ny a-di-re-sy mi-fan-dray

   I will give you my contact details

   Usage

   Offering your contact information to someone

   Grammar Note

   The "-ko" suffix marks the first-person singular agent. "omeko" means "I give." Malagasy verbs use suffixes to indicate person and direction.

7. Manan'account Facebook ve ianao?

   Ma-nan'ac-count Fa-ce-book ve ia-nao?

   Do you have a Facebook account?

   Usage

   Facebook is the most widely used social media platform in Madagascar

   Grammar Note

   "Manana" means "to have." The final "a" contracts with a following word, adding an apostrophe. Facebook dominates social media in Madagascar.

8. Manan'account Instagram ve ianao?

   Ma-nan'ac-count Ins-ta-gram ve ia-nao?

   Do you have an Instagram account?

   Usage

   Instagram use is growing among urban youth in Madagascar

   Grammar Note

   Social media popularity in Madagascar: Facebook, Instagram, then TikTok. Madagascar country code: +261.

9. Azonko atao ve ny miantso?

   A-zon-ko a-tao ve ny mi-an-tso?

   May I call you?

   Usage

   Politely asking permission to call someone

   Grammar Note

   "azo" is the modal for possibility/permission. "-ko" is the first-person suffix. "atao" is a passive/circumstantial form. Together: "I can do/am allowed to do."

10. Hifanakalo nomerao isika

    Hi-fa-na-ka-lo no-me-rao i-si-ka

    Let's exchange numbers

    Usage

    Suggesting to exchange phone numbers with each other

    Grammar Note

    "Hifanakalo" is the future of mifanakalo (to exchange with each other), which makes the sentence a proposal. Isika is the inclusive "we" (you and I).

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