Sunday, May 31, 2026

A Malagasy Language Lesson

I put a few Malagasy lessons up on Youtube. I will share the script of one of them, the third of the series that was narrated by Heri Manjato. To listen to the Malagasy, click here.

I wanted to share the script of Heri's video for those interested in learning and/or listening to this beautiful language. As with many of my videos, I like to include proverbs and cultural references, so of course I started this lesson with one of my favorite proverbs narrated with the University of Antananarivo as the backdrop by Larissa Randriasoa and ManuellĂ  Randrianandrasana. 


And now the script in Malagasy and English:



Let’s learn some Malagasy!

Andao ianatra teny Malagasy kely e!

My name is Rafi and I’ll be your teacher today.

Rafi no anarako ary izaho no ho mpampianatra anareo androany.

Hello / Thanks

Veloma / Misaotra

Malagasy is a beautiful language.

Fiteny mafinaritra ny teny Malagasy.

Listen carefully and repeat:

Henoy tsara dia avereno avy eo.

What are you doing?

Inona ny ataonao?

Where are you going?

Ho aiza ianao?

Who are your parents?

Iza ny ray aman-dreninao?

Why are you dancing?

Fa maninona no mandihy ianao?

How long will you stay in Madagascar?

Hafiriana ny ijanonanao any Madagasikara?

I’m very sad because I’m going home tomorrow.

Malahelo kely aho fa andeha hody rahampitso.

I want to see the lemurs in the forest.

Te ahita ireo varika any anaty ala aho.

When do you plan to visit my country?

Rahoviana ianao no mieritreritra ny hitsidika ny fireneko?

This is my beautiful dog, Maggie.

Izy no alikako manja kely Maggie.

My dog is only four months old.

Vao efa-bolana ny alikako.

Margaret likes to play with her friend Daisy.

Tia milalao miaraka amin’ny namany Daisy i Margaret.

I love to travel with my friends.

Tiako ny mandeha mitsangatsangana miaraka amin’ny namako.

How do you cook chicken?

Ahoana ny fomba fandrahoanao akoho?

When will you visit me?

Rahoviana no hitsidika ahy ianao ?

Did you finish your homework?

Nahavita ny enti-modinao ve ianao?

How many children do you have?

Firy ny zanakao?

What do you want Chef Rafi to cook today?

Inona no tianao andrahoana androany ry Sefo Rafi?

Always cover your mouth to avoid the virus!

Manaova aro-tava foana mba tsy ho tratry ny virisy.

It was nice meeting you.

Nahafinaritra ny nifakahita taminao.

I hope we can see each other again soon.

Manatena aho fa mbola hiaona indray isika.

Where should we go next?

Aiza no tokony andehanantsika manaraka?

I like to cook and travel the world.

Tiako ny mahandro sy ny mitety izao tontolo izao.

One day I dream of going to Madagascar.

Indray andro any, manonofy ny andeha ho any Madagasikara aho.

Subscribe to my channel and I’ll teach you how to cook.

Manaova famadrihana ao amin’ny sehoko dia ampianarako mahandro ianao.

Come see us again soon here at ChefRafi.com

Tongava mitsidika anay ao amin’ny ChefRafi.com

If you want to check out my other Malagasy videos, you can look how to cook Malagasy food in coconut milk, click here. I also have a Malagasy lesson video filmed in Paris where we learn about Malagasy beef stew, romazava.

There will be lots of cameo lemur appearances, as well as a cameo by Professor Marianna Mithun!