Money & Exchange

1. Ohatrinona izany?

   O-ha-tri-no-na i-za-ny?

   How much is that?

   Usage

   The most basic phrase to ask the price of something in markets or shops

   Grammar Note

   "ohatrinona" = price question word "how much." "izany" = demonstrative pronoun "that"

2. Aiza no misy banky akaiky?

   Ai-za no mi-sy ban-ky a-kai-ky?

   Where is the nearest bank?

   Usage

   Used to ask for the location of the nearest bank

   Grammar Note

   "aiza no misy X akaiky?" = "where is the nearest X?" — a useful standard expression

3. Misy ATM ve eto?

   Mi-sy ATM ve e-to?

   Is there an ATM here?

   Usage

   Used when looking for an ATM to withdraw cash

   Grammar Note

   "misy ... ve?" = "is there ...?" — standard pattern to ask if something exists

4. Azafady, azo ovaina ve ny vola?

   A-za-fa-dy, a-zo o-vai-na ve ny vo-la?

   Excuse me, can I exchange money?

   Usage

   Used to ask if money exchange is available

   Grammar Note

   "vola" = "money" and "silver" in Malagasy. "ovaina" is a passive voice form

5. Azo aloa amin'ny karatra ve?

   A-zo a-lo-a a-min'ny ka-ra-tra ve?

   Can it be paid by card?

   Usage

   Used to check if card payment is accepted

   Grammar Note

   "azo aloa" = "can be paid"; aloa is the passive of mandoa "to pay". "amin'ny karatra" = "by card"

6. Misy fiovan-bola ve eto?

   Mi-sy fi-o-van-bo-la ve e-to?

   Is there a money exchange here?

   Usage

   Used to look for a currency exchange office

   Grammar Note

   "fiovan-bola" = compound of "fiova" (change) + "bola" (money) = currency exchange

7. Ataovy maika, azafady

   A-tao-vy mai-ka, a-za-fa-dy

   Please hurry

   Usage

   Used at a bank or ATM when you are in a hurry

   Grammar Note

   "ataovy" = imperative of "atao" (to do). "maika" = "hurry/fast" as an adverb

8. Inona ny vola ampiasain'ny Malagasy?

   I-no-na ny vo-la am-pi-a-sain'ny Ma-la-ga-sy?

   What currency is used in Madagascar?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the currency used in Madagascar — the Ariary

   Grammar Note

   Madagascar's currency is the Ariary. It replaced the Malagasy Franc after independence

9. Misy vola fiverenana ve?

   Mi-sy vo-la fi-ve-re-na-na ve?

   Will I receive change?

   Usage

   Used to ask if you will receive change when paying with large bills

   Grammar Note

   "Vola fiverenana" literally means "money that returns" and is the word for change; fiverenana is the noun from miverina (to return). "Misy ... ve?" asks "is there ...?"

10. Afaka manome sonia ny faktiora aho?

    A-fa-ka ma-no-me so-ni-a ny fak-ti-o-ra a-ho?

    Can I sign the receipt?

    Usage

    Used to ask if a signature is needed on the receipt after card payment

    Grammar Note

    "faktiora" = borrowed from French "facture" (invoice/bill). "manome sonia" = to sign

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