Malagasy Verbs

Welcome to the 10th lesson about verbs in Malagasy. We will first learn about the present tense, followed by the past tense, and future tense. We will also analyze some grammar rules, and finally practice how to ask for direction in Malagasy.

Verbs are used to express an action (I swim) or a state of being (I am). The present tense in Malagasy conveys a situation or event in the present time. Here are some examples:

Present Tense - Malagasy
I speak English miteny anglisy aho
you speak French miteny frantsay ianao
he speaks German miteny alema izy
she speaks Italian miteny italianina izy
we speak Arabic miteny arabo isika
they speak Chinese miteny sinoa izy ireo

The past tense in Malagasy conveys a situation or event in the past time. Here are some examples:

Past Tense - Malagasy
I visited France nitsidika an'i frantsa aho
you visited Italy nitsidika an'i italy ianao
he visited Morocco nitsidika an'i marôka izy
she visited China nitsidika an'i sinina izy
we visited Mexico nitsidika an'i meksika isika
they visited Kenya nitsidika an'i kenia izy ireo

The future tense in Malagasy conveys a situation or event which is anticipated to happen in the future. Here are some examples:

Future Tense - Malagasy
I will drink milk hisotro ronono aho
you will drink coffee hisotro kafe ianao
he will drink tea hisotro dite izy
she will drink water hisotro rano izy
we will drink apple juice hisotro ranona paoma isika
they will drink tea hisotro dite ry zareo

Now let's take a break and refresh our vocabulary by learning the body parts.

ear sofina

eye maso

mouth vava

nose orona

hair volo

face tarehy

head loha

heart fo

hand tanana

fingers ratsan-tanana

leg ranjo

feet tongotra

Travel Phrases in Malagasy

Imagine yourself in some Malagasy speaking country. The following travel phrases are highly important and can help you avoid misunderstanding. Try to memorize them and practice!

English - Malagasy
Can you help me? afaka manampy ahy ve ianao?
Can I help you? afaka manampy anao ve aho?
Where is the airport? aiza ny seranam-piaramanidina?
Go straight mandehana mahitsy
Then avy eo
Turn left mihodona miankavia
Turn right mihodona miankavanana

I hope this lesson about the verbs in Malagasy was not hard for you. Please check out our main menu here for more lessons: homepage. To see the full menu, you can also click on the "Menu" icon on the left side.