Looking for practical Malagasy to Afar phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the Malagasy phrase first, then the Afar translation (Afar) — so you can scan quickly before a trip, class, or video call.
The phrases are grouped into eight topics: greetings and pleasantries, useful phrases for travellers, everyday conversation, directions and getting around, shopping and dining, emergencies and health, work and business, and time, days and numbers. Use the table of contents to jump straight to greetings, directions, dining, emergencies, or numbers. You do not need perfect grammar to start — short, clear sentences often work better than silence when you are learning Afar.
Tip: read the Afar line out loud three times, then cover the Malagasy side and try to recall the meaning — repetition builds memory faster than silent reading.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the Malagasy to Afar translator to paste your own messages and get an instant translation.
Greetings and pleasantries
Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and polite introductions for meeting new people.
Salama
Nagaad(nagaad)
Misaotra
Galatooma(galatooma)
Salama maraina
Bariis(bariis)
Salama tolakandro
Galab(galab)
Salama hariva
Haal(haal)
Alina tsara
Haalka habeen(haalka habeen)
Hizara indray
Ilaa mar kale(ilaa mar kale)
Veloma
Nagaad(nagaad)
Inona no anaranao?
Maa magacaa?(maa magacaa)
Ny anarako dia John
Magacaygu waa John(magacaygu waa John)
Inona ny vaovao?
Iska waran?(iska waran)
Faly mihaona aminao
Aad baan ku faraxsanahay(aad baan ku faraxsanahay)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
Miteny anglisy ve ianao?
Inni ingiriisi maahaa?(Inni ingiriisi maahaa?)
Tsy mahay tsara Hindi aho
Hindi maahaa hinjiru(Hindi maahaa hinjiru)
Tsy azoko
Ani hinfahmi(Ani hinfahmi)
Azafady, miteny moramora
Fadlan si maahaa siib(Fadlan si maahaa siib)
Azonao averina ve izany?
Maahaa inna marra?(Maahaa inna marra?)
Aiza ny trano fidiovana?
Maalin baadhu?(Maalin baadhu?)
Ahoana no ahatongavako any amin'ny foibe?
Akkam an magaalatti gahu?(Akkam an magaalatti gahu?)
Mivadika ankavia
Boodha kaaf(Boodha kaaf)
Mivadika ankavanana
Boodha mirga(Boodha mirga)
Mandehana mivantana
Si qodhi(Si qodhi)
Ohatrinona ny saran-dalana?
Maalin abaal?(Maalin abaal?)
Tapakila iray, azafady
Tiket tokkon, fadlan(Tiket tokkon, fadlan)
Lavitra ve izany avy eto?
Maalin faga?(Maalin faga?)
Very very
Ani dhumtu(Ani dhumtu)
Aiza no ahafahako mividy SIM card?
Maalin SIM kaardhii gurgurta?(Maalin SIM kaardhii gurgurta?)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
Eny
Eeyy(ee-yee)
Tsia
Maya(mah-yah)
Angamba
Gara(gah-rah)
Manaiky aho
Anigu waaq(ah-nee-goo wahk)
Tsy manaiky aho
Anigu ma waaq(ah-nee-goo mah wahk)
Tsara izany
Tani waa'ee(tah-nee wah-ee)
Inona ny hevitrao?
Ilaa ma waaq?(ee-lah mah wahk)
Afaka manampy ahy ve ianao?
Ilaa naxar?(ee-lah nah-khar)
Mila fanampiana aho
Naxar aniga(nah-khar ah-nee-gah)
Miandrasa kely
Soo'aa(soo-ah)
Miala tsiny aho
Waa'ee aniga(wah-ee ah-nee-gah)
Tsy olana
Maya dhib(mah-yah dheeb)
Arahabaina
Hambalyo(ham-bahl-yo)
Tratry ny tsingerintaona nahaterahana
Bariis gadhay(bah-rees gah-thai)
Mandehana soa aman-tsara
Safar amni(sah-far am-nee)
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
Aiza ny gara?
Eeyyoo taayka daab?(eyyoo taayka daab)
Aiza ny fiantsonan'ny bus?
Eeyyoo gaari daab?(eyyoo gaari daab)
Iza ny sehatra?
Keenya kaafaa?(keenya kaafaa)
Amin'ny firy no miala izy?
Waqti maayti?(waqti maayti)
Ity ve ny làlana marina?
Maayta kaan?(maayta kaan)
Eto akaiky izy.
Ittaa hara(ittaa hara)
Lavitra eto izy.
Ittaa faar(ittaa faar)
Afaka mampiseho ahy ve ianao amin'ny sarintany?
Maafaa naafaa?(maafaa naafaa)
Mijanona eto, azafady.
Hara dhaaf, fadlan(hara dhaaf, fadlan)
Mandra-pahoviana no maharitra?
Waqti mee?(waqti mee)
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.