Electronics

1. Finday

   Mobile phone

   Usage

   A native Malagasy word, and the everyday one

2. Telefaonina

   Telephone

   Usage

   The phone in general — for a mobile, "finday" is more natural

3. Solosaina

   Computer

   Usage

   Literally "brain substitute" — French "ordinateur" also works

4. Chargeur

   Charger

   Usage

   Used as-is from French — show it to borrow one at your hotel

5. Bateria

   Battery

   Usage

   A built-in battery — for dry cells people usually say the French "pile"

6. Prise

   Power socket

   Usage

   Used as-is from French — Madagascar runs 220 V on French-style round-pin type C and E sockets

7. Herinaratra

   Electricity

   Usage

   The word for electric power itself

8. Jiro

   Light

   Usage

   "Tsy misy jiro" means the power is out — you will hear it a lot

9. Delestage

   Delestage (scheduled power cut)

   Usage

   Used as-is from French — rolling outages by district. It is an everyday word here, so learn it

10. Torche

    Flashlight / torch

    Usage

    Used as-is from French — essential given the rolling outages

11. Wi-Fi

    Usage

    Ask at cafes and hotels — pronounced the French way, closer to "wee-fee"

12. Teny miafina

    Password

    Usage

    Literally "hidden word" — French "mot de passe" also works

13. Karatra SIM

    SIM card

    Usage

    You need your passport — the carriers are Telma, Orange and Airtel

14. Internet

    Usage

    Also used when talking about mobile data

15. Fakan-tsary

    Camera

    Usage

    Literally "image taker" — always ask before photographing people

16. Fahitalavitra

    Television

    Usage

    Literally "far-seer" — for checking what a room comes with

17. Radio

    Usage

    Still the main source of news in the regions

18. Frigo

    Refrigerator

    Usage

    Used as-is from French — for when you need to keep medicine cold

19. Ventilateur

    Fan

    Usage

    Used as-is from French — more common than air conditioning at coastal hotels

20. Climatiseur

    Air conditioner

    Usage

    Used as-is from French — rare in the cool highlands, worth asking about on the coast

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