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Why learn Malagasy?
Malagasy is one of the 67 languages you can learn on Lingocard with frequency-ranked flashcards, spaced repetition, and live speaking partners. Build vocabulary and pronunciation at your own pace, on web and mobile.
Malagasy is written in the Latin script. In the US Foreign Service Institute ranking, Malagasy is a Category III language - about 1100 class hours to professional working proficiency for English speakers. Malagasy belongs to the Austronesian family - if you enjoy it, a natural next step is Malay or Filipino.
50 essential Malagasy words
Start with the words you will actually meet: learn these and you will recognize something in almost every Malagasy sentence.
| # | Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | izaho | ee-ZOW | I |
| 2 | ianao | yah-NOW | you |
| 3 | izy | EE-zee | he |
| 4 | isika | ee-SEE-kah | we |
| 5 | ireo | ee-REH-oo | those |
| 6 | ity | EE-tee | this |
| 7 | iny | EE-nee | that |
| 8 | inona | EE-noo-nah | what |
| 9 | iza | EE-zah | who |
| 10 | tsia | TSEE-ah | no |
| 11 | sy | see | and |
| 12 | na | nah | or |
| 13 | fa | fah | but |
| 14 | amin | AH-min | at |
| 15 | ao | ow | there |
| 16 | iray | ee-RAHY | one |
| 17 | roa | ROO-ah | two |
| 18 | lehibe | leh-HEE-beh | big |
| 19 | kely | KEH-lee | small |
| 20 | tsara | TSAH-rah | good |
| 21 | vaovao | vow-VOW | new |
| 22 | olona | OO-loo-nah | person |
| 23 | rano | RAH-noo | water |
| 24 | andro | AHN-droo | day |
| 25 | taona | TOW-nah | year |
| 26 | fotoana | foo-TWAH-nah | time |
| 27 | trano | TRAH-noo | house |
| 28 | asa | AH-sah | work |
| 29 | fiainana | fee-AHY-nah-nah | life |
| 30 | teny | TEH-nee | word |
| 31 | misy | MEE-see | there is (exists) |
| 32 | manana | MAH-nah-nah | have |
| 33 | manao | mah-NOW | do |
| 34 | milaza | mee-LAH-zah | say |
| 35 | mahalala | mah-hah-LAH-lah | know |
| 36 | mahita | mah-HEE-tah | see |
| 37 | mandeha | mahn-DEH-hah | go |
| 38 | tonga | TOHN-gah | come |
| 39 | manome | mah-NOO-meh | give |
| 40 | maka | MAH-kah | take |
| 41 | maniry | mah-NEE-ree | want |
| 42 | mihinana | mee-HEE-nah-nah | eat |
| 43 | misotro | mee-SOH-troo | to drink |
| 44 | izao | ee-ZOW | now |
| 45 | eto | EH-too | here |
| 46 | any | AH-nee | there |
| 47 | aiza | AHY-zah | where |
| 48 | nahoana | nah-HOO-ah-nah | why |
| 49 | rehetra | reh-HEH-trah | all |
| 50 | maro | MAH-roo | many |
Useful phrases in Malagasy
- Salama · sah-LAH-mah · Hello / Good day
- Manao ahoana ianao? · ma-NOW a-HOO-na ee-a-NOW · How are you?
- Misaotra · mee-SOW-trah · Thank you
- Azafady · ah-zah-FAH-dee · Please
- Ny anarako dia... · nee a-na-RA-koo dee-ah · My name is...
- Aiza...? · AH-ee-zah · Where is...?
- Veloma · veh-LOO-mah · Goodbye
- Azafady · ah-zah-FAH-dee · Excuse me
- Tsy azoko · tsee ah-ZOO-koo · I don't understand
- Afaka manampy ahy ve ianao? · AH-fah-kah mah-NAHM-pee AH-hee veh ee-ah-NOW · Can you help me?
- Ohatrinona ity? · oo-ah-TREE-noo-nah EE-tee · How much is it?
- Rahampitso isika mihaona! · rah-ham-PEE-tsoo ee-SEE-kah mee-HOW-nah · See you tomorrow!
Learn Malagasy with comprehensive language resources
- Pronunciation
- Numbers
- Verbs and adjectives
- Frequency dictionaries
- Basic sentences
- Thematic dictionaries
- Politeness
- Idioms
Learn Malagasy, wherever you are
- AI-powered spaced repetition learning system on the go
- Audio processing for pronunciation
- Creation of visual language flash cards with images
- Search for speaking practice partners
- Frequency and thematic dictionaries for any language
- Alert system with exercise reminders
- Live video and messaging to facilitate learning
Join our global Malagasy learning community
Collaborate with native Malagasy speakers and fellow learners: exchange messages, correct each other's cards, and practice real conversation.
Send friend requests to the speakers you click with and build your own friends list - many practice partners become real friends.
Are you an educator? Teach Malagasy online · Create an online Malagasy school · Build a Malagasy curriculum
Frequently asked questions about learning Malagasy
How difficult is it to learn Malagasy?
How difficult Malagasy is depends on your background, but every language becomes manageable with consistent daily practice. Focusing on the most frequent words first means you can understand and say a lot early on. In the US Foreign Service Institute ranking, Malagasy is a Category III language - about 1100 class hours to professional working proficiency for English speakers.
What should I learn first to reach a basic level in Malagasy?
Start with the 100-500 most frequent words (free in our apps) and the thematic dictionaries most relevant to your daily life. Set clear goals and practise a few minutes every day - consistency is what produces results. Then connect with other learners to build confidence at your new basic level.
How long does it take to learn Malagasy?
Most learners reach a comfortable conversational level in Malagasy within 8-18 months of consistent daily study. Practising vocabulary with spaced repetition and speaking regularly speeds this up considerably. About 25 million people across 1 countries speak Malagasy, so you will never run short of practice partners.
How do I improve my Malagasy vocabulary?
Use the spaced-repetition and flashcard systems in the app. You can set daily, weekly, or yearly goals in our mobile apps and steadily reach the vocabulary size you’re aiming for.
Is Malagasy pronunciation hard?
Every language has a few sounds that take practice, but Malagasy pronunciation becomes consistent with regular listening and speaking. Hearing the language often matters more than memorising rules.
How do I get Free Malagasy speaking practice?
Open the Practice or Friends page in the app, send practice requests, and start real conversations with other learners - don’t be shy! You can also mention that you want speaking practice when you create your account, and the platform will help match you with suitable partners.
Do I need to learn the Malagasy alphabet first?
If Malagasy uses a different script, learning it early unlocks reading - and it's usually faster than people expect. On Lingocard you'll find every alphabet, with example words, free.