Sustainability & Eco

1. Aiza no azo ampiasaina indray ity?

   AI-za no A-zo am-pia-SAI-na IN-dray I-ty

   Where can I recycle this?

   Usage

   Used when looking for a recycling point or bin.

   Grammar Note

   "azo ampiasaina indray" means "can be used again" (reuse/recycle). The verb is passive (ampiasaina), so the thing used (ity "this") is the subject. Malagasy follows VOS word order.

2. Misy kitapo azo ampiasaina indray ve?

   MI-sy ki-TA-po A-zo am-pia-SAI-na IN-dray ve

   Do you have reusable bags?

   Usage

   Asking whether reusable bags are available at a shop.

   Grammar Note

   "ve" is the question particle. "azo ampiasaina" is a passive construction meaning "can be used".

3. Misy trano fitoerana izay tsara ho an'ny tontolo iainana?

   MI-sy TRA-no fi-to-E-ra-na i-ZAY tsa-RA ho an'ny ton-TO-lo i-AI-na-na

   Is there eco-friendly accommodation?

   Usage

   Used when searching for sustainable or environmentally friendly lodging.

   Grammar Note

   "trano fitoerana" is trano (house) + fitoerana (place of staying), i.e. lodging. "ho an'ny" means "for the (sake of)". "tontolo iainana" means "environment" (literally "living world").

4. Te hameno rano ny tavoahangiko aho.

   te ha-ME-no RA-no ny ta-vo-a-han-GI-ko A-ho

   I'd like to refill my water bottle.

   Usage

   Asking to have a reusable bottle filled rather than buying plastic ones.

   Grammar Note

   In Malagasy, the subject appears at the end of the sentence. "aho" is the first-person singular subject. Possession is marked by the suffix -ko; the final -y of tavoahangy (bottle) shifts to -i, giving tavoahangiko ("my bottle").

5. Misy sakafo ho an'ny vegetariana na vegan ve?

   MI-sy sa-KA-fo ho an'ny ve-ge-ta-RI-a-na na VE-gan ve

   Are there vegetarian or vegan options?

   Usage

   Asking at a restaurant whether plant-based or meat-free dishes are available.

   Grammar Note

   "na" means "or". "ho an'ny" is a prepositional phrase meaning "for (the)".

6. Ahoana no ahafahako mankany ... amin'ny fitaovam-pitaterana iombonan'ny olona?

   a-HOA-na no a-ha-FA-ha-ko man-KA-ny ... a-min'ny fi-ta-o-vam-pi-ta-TE-ra-na i-om-bo-NAN'ny O-lo-na

   How can I take public transport to...?

   Usage

   Asking how to reach a destination using shared or public transport.

   Grammar Note

   "ahafahako" is the circumstantial form expressing possibility ("I being able to"). The public transport term is a compound meaning "shared conveyance of people".

7. Aiza ny tsena bio na tsena eo an-toerana akaiky indrindra?

   AI-za ny TSE-na bi-O na TSE-na e-o an-TOE-ra-na a-KAI-ky in-DRIN-dra

   Where is the nearest organic or local market?

   Usage

   Asking for the nearest organic or local farmer's market.

   Grammar Note

   "indrindra" is a superlative intensifier meaning "most" or "especially".

8. Azafady, ampiasao kely ny fonosana.

   a-za-FA-dy am-pia-SA-o KE-ly ny fo-NO-sa-na

   Please use minimal packaging.

   Usage

   Requesting minimal packaging at a shop or market.

   Grammar Note

   "Ampiasao" is the passive imperative of mampiasa (to use), "please use"; "azafady" is the standard polite opener. Fonosana is the noun from fono (a cover) and means "wrapping, packaging"

9. Inona ny hetsika ecotourisme azo atao eto?

   i-NO-na ny HET-si-ka e-co-tou-RIS-me A-zo a-TA-o E-to

   What eco-tourism activities are available here?

   Usage

   Asking about ecologically responsible tourism activities available in the area.

   Grammar Note

   "azo atao" is a passive possibility construction meaning "that can be done".

10. Te hanonitra ny karbaona navoakako aho.

    te ha-NO-ni-tra ny kar-ba-O-na na-vo-A-ka-ko A-ho

    I want to offset my carbon footprint.

    Usage

    Expressing desire to compensate for carbon emissions from travel.

    Grammar Note

    Malagasy puts the subject last, so "aho" closes the sentence. Manonitra means "to repay, to make good"; after te it takes the future form hanonitra. Navoakako is the past passive of mamoaka (to put out, to emit) with the suffix -ko, "that I emitted". Karbaona is the international term used as is.

Browse all TravelPhrases languages