Wine & Spirits

1. Afaka mahita ny lisitry ny divay ve aho?

   May I see the wine list?

   Usage

   Used in restaurants to request the wine list

   Grammar Note

   "afaka" is a modal expressing ability or permission

2. Misy divay na toaka eo an-toerana ve ianareo?

   Do you have a local wine or spirit?

   Usage

   Used to ask about locally produced drinks

   Grammar Note

   "misy" is the existential verb "there is/are"

3. Iray tavoahangy divay mena azafady.

   One bottle of red wine, please.

   Usage

   Used to order a bottle of red wine

   Grammar Note

   "azafady" is a polite request word

4. Iray kapoaka divay fotsy azafady.

   One glass of white wine, please.

   Usage

   Used to order a glass of white wine

   Grammar Note

   "fotsy" means "white"

5. Inona ny sakafo mety amin'ity divay ity?

   What food pairs well with this wine?

   Usage

   Used to ask about food and wine pairing

   Grammar Note

   Mety means "fitting, suitable"; followed by amin' it means "goes with ...". The frame "ity ... ity" wraps the noun to mean "this ..."

6. Ohatrinona ny tahan'ny alikaola amin'ity?

   What is the alcohol content?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the alcohol percentage

   Grammar Note

   "ohatrinona" asks "how much/many"

7. Malefaka ity divay ity nefa tsy mamy loatra.

   This wine is smooth but not too sweet.

   Usage

   Used to describe wine tasting notes

   Grammar Note

   "Nefa" is the adversative conjunction "but". Malefaka is "supple, gentle" and, said of drinks, "not too strong" — i.e. smooth

8. Te-hanandrana ny divay aho.

   I'd like to do a wine tasting.

   Usage

   Used to request a wine tasting

   Grammar Note

   "te-" is a prefix expressing desire

9. Misy andrana divay kely ve ianareo?

   Do you offer samples / a flight?

   Usage

   Used to ask for tasting samples

   Grammar Note

   "misy...ve" is an existential question form

10. Tsy mamy loatra azafady.

    Not too sweet, please.

    Usage

    Used to request a dry/less sweet wine

    Grammar Note

    "tsy" is the negative particle

11. Inona ny divay an'ny trano?

    What's the house wine?

    Usage

    Used to ask about the house wine

    Grammar Note

    "an'ny trano" is a possessive meaning "of the house"

12. Avy taiza ity divay ity?

    What region is this wine from?

    Usage

    Used to ask about the wine's origin

    Grammar Note

    "avy" indicates origin

13. Iray koktaila miaraka amin'ny toaka gasy azafady.

    I'd like a cocktail made with local spirit.

    Usage

    Used to order a cocktail with local spirit

    Grammar Note

    "miaraka amin'ny" means "together with/using"

14. Ho ela velona! Ho an'ny fahasalamana!

    Cheers! To good health!

    Usage

    Common toast expression

    Grammar Note

    Ela velona is a set phrase meaning "living long"; prefixed with the optative ho it becomes the toast. Arahabaina means "to be congratulated/greeted" — used for birthday wishes, but it is not the call raised over drinks

15. Misy safidy tsy misy alikaola ve?

    Do you have non-alcoholic options?

    Usage

    Used to ask for non-alcoholic beverages

    Grammar Note

    "tsy misy" is the negative of "misy" (there is)

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