Shopping

1. Ohatrinona izany?

   O-hat-ri-no-na i-za-ny?

   How much is this?

   Usage

   Essential phrase at Malagasy markets (Zoma). Ask this before anything else

   Grammar Note

   "Ohatrinona" asks about price/amount. Bargaining ("marchandage") is common at Malagasy markets. The currency is the Ariary.

2. Afaka mampihena ny vidiny ve ianao?

   A-fa-ka mam-pi-he-na ny vi-di-ny ve ia-nao?

   Can you lower the price?

   Usage

   Used for price negotiation at markets. Smile and be friendly for best results

   Grammar Note

   Mihena is "to decrease" and its causative mampihena is "to reduce"; the related noun fihenam-bidy means "a discount". Bargaining is an important part of Malagasy market culture, but excessive haggling can be impolite.

3. Lafo loatra izany

   La-fo lo-at-ra i-za-ny

   That is too expensive

   Usage

   Starting point for price negotiations when something seems too expensive

   Grammar Note

   "Loatra" is an adverb meaning "too much/excessive." Pattern: adjective + "loatra." Opposite of "lafo" (expensive) is "mora" (cheap).

4. Misy mora kokoa ve?

   Mi-sy mo-ra ko-ko-a ve?

   Is there something cheaper?

   Usage

   Looking for something within your budget

   Grammar Note

   "Kokoa" is a comparative adverb meaning "more/rather." "Mora kokoa" = cheaper; "tsara kokoa" = better. Equivalent to English "more."

5. Vanilla avy any Madagasikara

   Va-nil-la a-vy a-ny Ma-da-ga-si-ka-ra

   Vanilla from Madagascar

   Usage

   Madagascar is the world's top vanilla producer. Perfect as a souvenir

   Grammar Note

   "Avy any" indicates origin/source. "Madagasikara" is the official Malagasy name of Madagascar. About 80% of the world's vanilla comes from Madagascar.

6. Asa-tanana Malagasy

   A-sa-ta-na-na ma-la-ga-sy

   Malagasy handicrafts

   Usage

   When looking for handicrafts as souvenirs

   Grammar Note

   Famous Malagasy crafts include "lamba" (silk/cotton cloth) and "zafimaniry" (wood carving). The Zoma market in Antananarivo is renowned.

7. Mba asehoy ahy azafady

   Mba a-se-hoy ahy a-za-fa-dy

   Excuse me, please show me

   Usage

   Politely asking to see an item

   Grammar Note

   "Mba" adds politeness to requests. "Asehoy" is the imperative form. Malagasy often uses the imperative directly for requests, softened by "mba" or "azafady."

8. Hovidiko ity

   Ho-vi-di-ko i-ty

   I will buy this

   Usage

   When you have decided to purchase something

   Grammar Note

   Malagasy frequently uses passive/goal-focus constructions. "Hovidiko" = will be bought (passive future). "Ity" = this (near); "io" = that (far).

9. Mba soraty ny vidiny azafady

   Mba so-ra-ty ny vi-di-ny a-za-fa-dy

   Write down the price

   Usage

   Asking them to write the number when verbal communication is difficult

   Grammar Note

   Practical phrase when there is a language barrier. French is also an official language in Madagascar, so French speakers may also be understood.

10. Misaotra, hihaona indray isika!

    Mi-saot-ra, hi-hao-na in-dray i-si-ka!

    Thank you, see you again!

    Usage

    A warm farewell to the shopkeeper after making a purchase

    Grammar Note

    Malagasy distinguishes "isika" (inclusive we, including listener) from "izahay" (exclusive we, not including listener) — a classic Austronesian linguistic feature.

11. Tsy mila rosia aho

    Tsy mi-la ro-si-a a-ho

    I don't need a receipt

    Usage

    Declining a receipt. "Rosia" is borrowed from French "reçu"

    Grammar Note

    Malagasy is verb-initial with the subject last (VOS), so "aho" (I) closes the sentence; negation is simply "tsy" before the verb. Note that "rosia" is homographic with "Rosia" (Russia), which is capitalised; context at a till makes the reading unambiguous.

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