tao

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *taʀuq. Compare Indonesian taruh.


A

The first letter of the Malagasy alphabet, written in the Latin script.


hay

(Tankarana) an insect which damages rice crops


dada

a dance where the feet are made to imitate the beating of a drum


dada

(Tankarana, Tambahoaka) Synonym of dadoa


lay

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *layaʀ, from Proto-Austronesian *layaʀ.

sail (a piece of fabric attached to a boat)


fo

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *pusuq, cognate of Javanese pusuh and Tagalog puso.


volo

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *bulu (compare Malay bulu), from Proto-Austronesian *bulu.

(anatomy) hair (the collection or mass of filaments growing from the skin of humans and animals)


volo

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *buluq (compare Malay buluh), from Proto-Austronesian *buluq.


vy

From Malay besi, from Proto-Malayic *bəsi, from Proto-Malayo-Chamic *bəsi.

(physics, chemistry, metallurgy) iron (element)


vary

* From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *bəʀas, from Proto-Austronesian *bəʀas.
* From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *pajay (“rice plant”), from Proto-Austronesian *pajay (“rice plant”). Doublet of fary (“sugar cane”). Compare Ma'anyan parei, Javanese ꦥꦫꦶ (pari), Malay padi and Tagalog palay.


nono

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *nunuh, from Proto-Austronesian *nunuh. Compare Kulon-Pazeh nunuh and Tsou nunʼu.


loa

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *luaq (compare Malay luak).


nio

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *niuʀ (compare with Malay nyiur).


ala

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *halas, from Proto-Austronesian *Salas. Cognate with Balinese ᬳᬮᬲ᭄ (alas), Javanese ꦲꦭꦱ꧀ (alas).


ala

From Proto-Austronesian *alaq (“fetch; get; take”).


aba

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *aba, from Proto-Austronesian *aba.


vanga

→ English: vanga


bingo

Related to faingoka, compare with Malay bengkok (“bent”).


valo

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *walu, from Proto-Austronesian *walu.


isa

From Proto-Southeast Barito *isa, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *isa, *əsa, from Proto-Austronesian *isa, *əsa.


solo

Borrowed from a South Sulawesi language, from Proto-South Sulawesi *sulu(r); compare Makasar suluk.


avo

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *abaw; cognate with Javanese ambo.


tady

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *talih, from Proto-Austronesian *CaliS. Compare Paiwan calis, Kulon-Pazeh saris, Malay tali, Ilocano tali, Chamorro tali, Ma'anyan tadi, Tetum tali, Yapese tael, Pohnpeian sahl, Fijian dali, Maori tari.


tonga

The talisman sense comes from Etymology 1 of the word.

(Mahafaly, Sakalava) a charm or talisman believed to bring one safely to their destination

(by extension) a plant used to make this talisman, the blue porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis)

Catharanthus roseus
Catharanthus roseus#Translingual

(Antanosy) rosy periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)


aro

(dialectal, Betsimisaraka) Synonym of roa


tono

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *tunu, from Proto-Austronesian *CuNuh.


manta

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *mətaq, compare Indonesian mentah, Maori mata.


voto

Several etymologies have been proposed:
* Inherited from Proto-Austronesian *buCuq (“testicles”). Compare Ma'anyan wutu, Malay butuh, and Saisiyat bosoe'.
* Less likely, borrowed from a Bantu language, from Proto-Bantu *dʊ̀bódó. Compare Swahili mboo, Zulu ubolo, Chichewa mbolo and Shona mboro.

penis (male organ for copulation and urination)


bala

(dialectal) poles used to carry a burden


nosy

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *nusa. Compare Malay nusa.

island (area of land completely surrounded by water)


bozaka maina

bozaka (“coarse grass, dried grass”) + maina (“dry”)


andian'olona

andia (“group”) + olona (“person; human being”)


fakan-tsary

From faka (“root; cause”) + n (“genitive affix”) + sary (“picture”).


fotsy

Inherited from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *putiq. Compare Malay putih.


famadihana

→ English: famadihana


ariary

→ English: ariary


aho

àho (canonical)
ahy (oblique)
-ko (clitic)

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *(i-)aku, from Proto-Austronesian *(i-)aku. Compare Malay aku, Ma'anyan aku, Ngaju yakuʔ.


fala

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *palaq, from Proto-Austronesian *palaq.


telo

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *təlu, from Proto-Austronesian *təlu.


masina

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *(ma-)qasin, from Proto-Austronesian *(ma-)qasiN (compare with Malay masin).


rano

From Proto-Austronesian *danaw. Compare Indonesian danau.


roa

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *duha, from Proto-Austronesian *duSa.


vorona

Possibly borrowed from Banjarese burung.


feno

Inherited from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *pənuq, from Proto-Austronesian *pəNuq; compare Indonesian penuh.


aty

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qatay, from Proto-Austronesian *qaCay.

the inside of something; the contents of something


fia

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *pəʀəs (compare with Malay perah and peras).


saka

Felis silvestris catus
Felis silvestris catus#Translingual


folo

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *puluq, from Proto-Austronesian *puluq.


fano

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *pəñu, from Proto-Austronesian *pəñu.


armonia

From French harmonium, influenced by Latin harmonia.


avana

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *hawan (“atmosphere, space between earth and sky”). Compare Malay awan, Indonesian awan, both meaning "cloud".


lambo

(figuratively, by extension) lazy person who eats a lot


tany

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *tanəq. Compare Malay tanah, Chamorro tano'.


tany

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *taŋis, from Proto-Austronesian *Caŋis.


maso

Borrowed from Swahili macho (“eyes”), plural of jicho, ultimately from Proto-Bantu *ìjícò. The expected Malagasy reflex of Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *mata in is *maty.


Antananarivo

/ə̥ntə̥ˌnaˈⁿd͡ʐivʷ/

Antananarivo (the capital city of Madagascar)


ladina

the shoot or tendril of a climbing plant


tona

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *tuna, from Proto-Austronesian *tuNa.

A species of very large nocturnal serpent.

(figurative) An eel too large to be used as food because of its resemblance to a tona.


manana

manana (indicative present)
nanana (indicative past)
hanana (future indicative)
manana (imperative)


arina

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qajeŋ. Compare Indonesian arang.

(dialectal) several trees which are considered to produce high-quality charcoal, such as those of species Bridelia tulasneana, Rhodolaena bakeriana and some species of genus Schizolaena


zato

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *ʀatus, from Proto-Austronesian *ɣatus.


vato

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *batu, from Proto-Austronesian *batu (compare Cebuano bato, Fijian vatu, Hawaiian haku, Hiligaynon bato, Ilocano bato, Indonesian batu, Kapampangan batu, Malay batu, Maori whatu, Sundanese batu, Tagalog bato).


orana

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *quzan, from Proto-Austronesian *quzaN.


orana

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qudaŋ, from Proto-Austronesian *qudaŋ.

the Madagascar crayfish, (Astacoides madagascariensis)


eto

Tongasoa eto Madagasikara.


olona

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qulun (“outsiders, alien people”). Compare Ma'anyan ulun.


Josefa

a male given name, equivalent to English Joseph


fosa

desctree

→ English: fossa
→ Portuguese: fossa
→ Translingual: Fossa

Likely once referred to the Malayan weasel (Mustela nudipes) prior to a semantic shift, thus cognate with Sarawak Malay pusak and Tagalog pusa.

Cryptoprocta ferox
Cryptoprocta ferox#Translingual


fito

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *pitu, from Proto-Austronesian *pitu.


trano

Unknown. Possibly related to Malay dangau (“small hut”).


ranu

Ultimately from Proto-Austronesian *daNum.


andro

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qalejaw, from Proto-Austronesian *qalejaw. Compare Ma'anyan anrau, Tagalog araw.


rafia

→ French: raphia

→ English: raffia

From fia (“to press, to squeeze”), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *pəʀəs (compare with Malay perah and peras).


manoratra

manoratra (indicative present)
nanoratra (indicative past)
hanoratra (future indicative)
manorata (imperative)

[maˈnuɾət͡ʂə̥]


kilema

Borrowed from Swahili kilema, from Arabic كِلَام (kilām), plural of كَلْم (kalm, “bite, cut”).


soratana

(patient-focus) to write X (i.e., a letter, a book, etc.)

(patient-focus) to loom X (i.e., to use a loom to arrange silk)

(passive voice) to be loomed (i.e., to arrange silk fabric, etc., on a loom)


voasoratra

[v̥uaˈsuɾət͡ʂə̥]

[v̥oˈsuɾət͡ʂə̥]

(patient-focus, transitive) to write X (to completion), to completely write X

(passive voice) to be written (to completion) by someone


anoratana

anòratana (canonical)
anoratako (indicative present singular)
anoratanao (indicative present singular)
anoratany (indicative present singular)
anoratan' (indicative present singular)
anoratantsika (indicative plural present)
anoratanay (indicative plural present)
anoratanareo (indicative plural present)
anoratany (indicative plural present)
anoratan' (indicative plural present)
nanoratako (indicative past singular)
nanoratanao (indicative past singular)
nanoratany (indicative past singular)
nanoratan' (indicative past singular)
nanoratantsika (indicative past plural)
nanoratanay (indicative past plural)
nanoratanareo (indicative past plural)
nanoratany (indicative past plural)
nanoratan' (indicative past plural)
hanoratako (future indicative singular)
hanoratanao (future indicative singular)
hanoratany (future indicative singular)
hanoratan' (future indicative singular)
hanoratantsika (future indicative plural)
hanoratanay (future indicative plural)
hanoratanareo (future indicative plural)
hanoratany (future indicative plural)
hanoratan' (future indicative plural)
anoraty (imperative singular)

(relative/goal-focus) to write with something (i.e., a pen, pencil, etc.)

to loom (i.e., to use a loom to arrange silk)


misoratra

misoratra (indicative present)
nisoratra (indicative past)
hisoratra (future indicative)
misorata (imperative)

[miˈsuɾət͡ʂə̥]

(intransitive) (active/agent-focus) to write to X


sivy

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *hiwa, from Proto-Austronesian *Siwa.


isoratana

isoràtana (canonical)
isoratako (indicative present singular)
isoratanao (indicative present singular)
isoratany (indicative present singular)
isoratan' (indicative present singular)
isoratantsika (indicative plural present)
isoratanay (indicative plural present)
isoratanareo (indicative plural present)
isoratany (indicative plural present)
isoratan' (indicative plural present)
nisoratako (indicative past singular)
nisoratanao (indicative past singular)
nisoratany (indicative past singular)
nisoratan' (indicative past singular)
nisoratantsika (indicative past plural)
nisoratanay (indicative past plural)
nisoratanareo (indicative past plural)
nisoratany (indicative past plural)
nisoratan' (indicative past plural)
hisoratako (future indicative singular)
hisoratanao (future indicative singular)
hisoratany (future indicative singular)
hisoratan' (future indicative singular)
hisoratantsika (future indicative plural)
hisoratanay (future indicative plural)
hisoratanareo (future indicative plural)
hisoratany (future indicative plural)
hisoratan' (future indicative plural)
isoraty (imperative singular)

(intransitive) (relative/goal-focus) to write to X using Y (i.e., a pen, pencil, etc.)


efatra

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *əpat, from Proto-Austronesian *Səpat.


enina

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *ənəm, from Proto-Austronesian *ənəm.


dimy

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *lima, from Proto-Austronesian *lima. Compare Ma'anyan dime, Malay lima.


lalana

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *zalan, from Proto-Austronesian *zalan. Compare Ma'anyan lalan, Malay jalan.


soratra

[ˈsurət͡ʂə̥]

Borrowed from Malay surat, from Proto-Malayic *surat, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *suʀat (“to carve, to incise”).


soratra

[ˈsurət͡ʂə̥]


tanana

Ultimately from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *taŋan. Compare Malay tangan.


tanana

Ultimately from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *tanəm. Compare Malay tanam (“to plant”).


iray

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian. Compare Tagalog ilan (“few”).


an- -ana

Reduplication of Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *-an.

Goal-focus or relative voice formant, which creates verbs of instrument or goal (i.e., time, place, mode, or cause).


i- -ana

Goal-focus or relative-voice formant, which creates verbs of instrument or goal (i.e., time, place, mode, or cause).


hianareo

(archaic) archaic spelling of ianareo: you (pl); ye


hianao

you (sg.); thou


ianao

ianào (canonical)
anao (oblique)
-nao (clitic)

you (sg.); thou


ianareo

ianarèo (canonical)
anareo (oblique)
-nareo (clitic)

you (pl); ye


isika

isìka (canonical)
antsika (oblique)
-ntsika (clitic)

From the metathesis as *itik, from earlier Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *(i-)kita, from Proto-Austronesian *(i-)kita.

we (I, you, and others)


izahay

izahày (canonical)
anay (oblique)
-nay (clitic)

From earlier *si-kakami > *sakai, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kami.

we, us (I and others, but not "you")


izy

ìzy (canonical)
azy (oblique)
-ny (clitic)

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *(si-)ia, from Proto-Austronesian *(si-)ia. Compare Tagalog siya and Tagalog sila.

he, she, it, they


mividy

mividy (indicative present)
nividy (indicative past)
hividy (future indicative)
mividia (imperative)

(transitive) (active/agent-focus) to buy, purchase


ividiana

ividìana (canonical)
ividiako (indicative present singular)
ividianao (indicative present singular)
ividiany (indicative present singular)
ividian' (indicative present singular)
ividiantsika (indicative plural present)
ividianay (indicative plural present)
ividianareo (indicative plural present)
ividiany (indicative plural present)
ividian' (indicative plural present)
nividiako (indicative past singular)
nividianao (indicative past singular)
nividiany (indicative past singular)
nividian' (indicative past singular)
nividiantsika (indicative past plural)
nividianay (indicative past plural)
nividianareo (indicative past plural)
nividiany (indicative past plural)
nividian' (indicative past plural)
hividiako (future indicative singular)
hividianao (future indicative singular)
hividiany (future indicative singular)
hividian' (future indicative singular)
hividiantsika (future indicative plural)
hividianay (future indicative plural)
hividianareo (future indicative plural)
hividiany (future indicative plural)
hividian' (future indicative plural)
ividio (imperative singular)

(transitive) (relative/goal-focus) to buy (X) for/at/from Y (i.e., a pen, pencil, etc.)


vidy

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *bəli, from Proto-Austronesian *bəli, *baliw.


voa

Inherited from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *buaq, from Proto-Austronesian *buaq. Compare Malay buah and Acehnese boh.


vontsira

A member of either of two species of small, brown, mongoose-like mammals Salanoia concolor and Salanoia durrelli, from Madagascar.


endrika

feature, likeness, visage, resemblance, image, form


vava

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *baqbaq. Compare Cebuano baba and Maori waha.


arivo

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *ʀibu. Compare Malay ribu.


fady

→ English: fady


andafy

From lafy (“side”), literally "on the other side".


ampangaina

passive form of ampanga (“accusation”); to be accused of, to be charged with


ampanga fisaka

ampanga (“accusation”) + fisaka (“thin; flat”)


fangitra voalohany

fangitra (“indication”) + voalohany (“first”)


anjano

(dialectal) allusion (indirect discourse)


dokam-barotra

doka (“praise, flattery”) + varotra (“trade, commerce, selling”)


adary

(Sakalava) agitation; turbulence; uproar


adisanina

(mathematics) addition (mathematical operation)


angon-dilatra

angona (“collection”) + dilatra (“deposits of earth”)


bozika

(dialectal) stubbornness, resistance, inflexibility


andrisa

(dialectal) anchor (heavy weight used to secure a boat or ship)


aforano

afo (“fire”) + rano (“water”), "water/liquid fire". The plant names are due to these plants causing blisters on the skin, while growing in humid places.

(chemistry) acid, especially sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid

(dialectal) the plant Ranunculus multifidus

(dialectal) the plant Ranunculus pinnatus


bikan-javatra

bika (“shape, form”) + zavatra (“thing, object”)


ampanga

a women's hairstyle made to resemble fern leaves


arofanina

aro + fanina ("protection [against] giddiness")


bararata

the plant Phragmites mauritianus, a reed


andrana

an attempt; a trial (trying something for the first time)


fanantana

(weaving) batten (movable bar of the loom)


debaka

(Betsimisaraka) the plant Agelaea pentagyna


akondro

Possibly from a Bantu language, ultimately from Proto-Bantu *kòndè (“banana”).


abidy

From the first three letters of the Malagasy alphabet, A, B and D.


abidy

(dialectal, Tankarana) a species of waterbird


fanatrona

a medium-sized round basket without handles


ady am-parimbona

ady (“battle”) + farimbona (“the act of two or more people acting on something”)

a quarrel or dispute of a large party against a smaller party


manao

manao (indicative present)
nanao (indicative past)
hanao (future indicative)
manaova (imperative)


batery

battery (coordinated group of artillery weapons, or the electricity-supplying device)


barabosy

(dialectal, Tankarana) meek, simple-minded


ady antsanga

ady (“conflict; battle; war”) + antsanga (“earth deposited by water”)

intense argument initiated for trivial reasons


karibonetra

bicarbonate of soda (sodium bicarbonate)


deronderom-bava

deronderona (“perching in a conspicuous or high place; boastfulness”) + vava (“mouth”)


faingoka

From faraingo ultimately from bingo, compare with Malay bengkok.

hook (curved piece of metal used to catch fish)


adidy

something for which one is held responsible; a blame; a responsibility


fivarotana

Derivative of varotra (“selling; trade; commerce”)


amborodao

raised sewn ornamental borders on clothes


akatra

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *aŋkat. Compare also Tagalog angkat, Malay angkat, Acehnese angkat, Javanese ngangkat (“to lift”).


akatra

(dialectal, Tankarana) a rat trap made from bamboo


atidoha

aty (“the inside of something”) + loha (“head”), "the contents of the head"


anjomara

a bugle-like musical instrument made from bamboo and an ox horn


akorany

a length of bamboo which is to be made into a valiha


akanjo bilaozy

From akanjo (“clothing”) + English blouse.


bontsinina

passive verb form of bontsina; to be made to swell or protrude

(figuratively) to be deceived by charges made against someone


antikantika

Reduplication of antika, with the same meaning.

a busybody (someone who meddles in others' issues)


famafa

(dialectal, by extension) some plants whose twigs are used to make brooms, such as Henonia scoparia and licorice weed (Scoparia dulcis)


bobaky

Buteo brachypterus
Buteo brachypterus#Translingual

(Sakalava, Tankarana) Madagascar buzzard (Buteo brachypterus)


babontany

babo (“captive”) + tany (“land, nation”)

captives which are divided among the whole army (as opposed to just the individuals who caught them)


vatomamy

Compound of vato + mamy, literally, “sweet stone”.


balahazo

(dialectal) Synonym of mangahazo (“cassava”)


baibo

(dialectal) floodplain used to grow crops


akorambiby

hard covering of an animal (e.g. the carapace of a tortoise)


akofa

diseased rice crop unable to bear grains


ankolafiny

From lafitra (“that which is regular; a division”).


bitro

Rebracketing of rabitro, a borrowing from English rabbit, as ra- (“prefix forming names”) + *bitro.


akoma

Malagasy ground boa (Acrantophis madagascariensis)


akoho vositra

akoho (“chicken”) + vositra (“castrated livestock”)


amboninjato

ambony (“above; higher in rank”) + zato (“one hundred”)

one who has command over one hundred civilians


andriambe

andriana (“nobility”) + be (“big; great”)


famindram-po

famindrana (“transfer, displacement”) + fo (“heart”)


didiam-poitra

didiana (“to be cut”) + foitra (“navel, umbilical cord”)


bozy

vernacular name for the baobab Adansonia za


ankosotra

From hosotra (“the act of applying a coating”).


famantaranandro

famantarana (“sign, indication”) + andro (“day, time period”)


arintany

arina (“charcoal; soot”) + tany (“earth; soil; land”)


akanjo lava

akanjo (“clothing; shirt”) + lava (“long”)

cassock (long garment worn by church clergy)


Andriamanitra

andriana (“lord; nobility; sovereign”) + manitra (“fragrant”), "fragrant Lord"


fidy

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *piliq (compare with Malay pilih), from Proto-Austronesian *piliq.


ady an-trano

legal dispute between members of the same clan or household


zanatany

Literally "child of the land". From zanaka (“child”) and tany (“land”). Used to distinguish Madagascar-born and raised resident of foreign origins from immigrants.


fahatsiarovantena

From fahatsiarovana (“memory”) + tena (“self”).


elanelam-panahy

elanelana (“interval, go-between”) + fanahy (“mind, soul, temperament”)


areti-mifindra

aretina (“illness”) + mifindra (“contagious”)


beroberoka

Sonchus oleraceus
Sonchus oleraceus#Translingual

(Sihanaka, Betsileo) common sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus)


andraikitra

From raikitra (“agreed to; attached to something”).


atin-kavana

aty (“interior”) + havana (“friend; relative; ally”)


andiany

a large group of people or animals; flock, herd, or crowd


andry

the state of being horizontal; the state of being extended


ambanivohitra

ambany (“under; below”) + vohitra (“village; hill”)


fandikanala

Coua reynaudii
Coua reynaudii#Translingual


akanjo

Either from Swahili kanzu or French canezon.


omby

cow, ox (an individual of Bos taurus, irrespective of sex)


hero-dronono

herotra + ronono, "rubbery layer of milk"


dafo

Borrowed from Swahili dafu (“unripe coconut with milk”), ultimately from Bengali ডাব (ḍabo, “green coconut”).


famefakangaty

Microcarbo africanus
Microcarbo africanus#Translingual

long-tailed cormorant (Microcarbo africanus)


ahaingo

Passive verb form of haingo (“ornament; decoration”)


badisa

(Tankarana) a kind of hook for catching eels


dadamanainga

a way of dancing the dada dance where one foot is kept up more than the other


didin-tany

didy (“command, order, law”) + tany (“land”)


be hevitra

be (“big, great”) + hevitra (“thought, thinking”)


afakampitso

From afaka (“separated from”) + ampitso (“tomorrow”).


voanjo

From a Bantu language, from Proto-Bantu *njʊ̀gʊ́ (“groundnut”).

Vigna unguiculata
Vigna unguiculata#Translingual


bakoly

From Swahili bakuli, from Arabic بَاقُولْ (bāqūl).


fanapahan-kevitra

fanapahana (“deciding”) + hevitra (“thought”)


apiaka

From piaka (“that which breaks with a snap”).


akanakana

Reduplication of akana (“frequent pausing”)


aingitraingitra

Reduplication of aingitra (“desire which is difficult to satisfy”)


ambiko

(dialectal) the highland streaked tenrec (Hemicentetes nigriceps)


afatra

Passive verb form of fatra (“measure of solid or liquid”)


ahady

Passive verb form of hady (“hole; pit; ditch”)


antsefatsefany

From sefaka (“that which goes between”).


beheza

(Sihanaka) mournful songs recited at funerals


mpanasaraka

Agent noun of manasaraka (“decompose; break down”)


alavorary

From lavorary (“successful; accomplished”).


mainty

From ma- + inty, inherited from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *ma-qitem (“black”). Compare Tagalog maitim.


famono mosavy

famono (“that which is used to kill with”) + mosavy (“witchcraft”)


fivarotam-panafody

fivarotana (“shop”) + fanafody (“medicine”)


ampondra

/aˈᵐpuⁿɖ͡ʐa/

[əˈᵐpuⁿɖ͡ʐə̥]


ampahavalony

ampaha- (“prefix used to form reciprocal fractions from numbers”) + valo (“eight”) + -ny


antsapaka

an- + tsapaka, adverb of tsapaka (“act of entering or penetrating”)


bakobako

(Tankarana) a mythical animal resembling a donkey


fametrahana entana

fametrahana (“deposit”) + entana (“baggage”)


atody

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qateluR. Compare Malay telur.


androbe

andro (“day”) + be (“great”). Epileptic attacks are said to be most prevalent during midday.


fanasana tsinay

fanasana (“washing”) + tsinay (“intestines”)


ampitovina

Passive verb form of tovy (“resemblance; equality”)


beloha

(Betsileo, Tanala) the plant Petchia plectaneiifolia, related to Vinca


barika

a disease of chickens which affects the liver


dify

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *lipət, from Proto-Austronesian *lipət.

plaited border (of mats, baskets, hats, etc.)


bemanana

a species of large bird of prey like a hawk or falcon


famakifary

(dialectal) eye teeth (canine teeth of the upper jaw)


famonoan-tsoratra

famonoana (“erasing, extinguishing”) + soratra (“inscription”)


ambany

(dialectal, Sihanaka) west (cardinal direction)


ankoay

Madagascan fish eagle
Madagascan fish eagle

Haliaeetus vociferoides
Haliaeetus vociferoides#Translingual

Madagascan fish eagle (Haliaeetus vociferoides)


amponga

(dialectal) an insect which eats taro leaves


amponga

(dialectal) the pitcher plant species Nepenthes madagascariensis


antorabody

the act of landing on one's rear after falling


fahamarinana

From marina (“level, true, just”), from arina (“uprightness, levelness”).


aloalo

a kind of grave ornament carved from wood


antsa

(dialectal, Vezo) charitable; compassionate; merciful; humane


anakandrianify

(dialectal) eyetooth (canine teeth of the upper jaw)


antsitrika

the act of diving or plunging into liquid


afakomaly

afaka (“separated from”) + omaly (“yesterday”)

day before yesterday
day before yesterday


amontana

the giant-leaved fig tree (Ficus lutea, syn. Ficus baronii)


refy

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *dəpah, from Proto-Austronesian *dəpah. Compare Tagalog dipa.


ahy

concern; anxiety (for something/someone)


ampahadiminy

ampaha- (“prefix used to form reciprocal fractions from numbers”) + dimy (“five”) + -ny


mahamety

From mety (“willing, fit, suitable, permitted”).


angy

(dialectal, Taimoro) ornament; embellishment


afovato

flint (piece of flint rock scraped to produce a spark)


anjady

(dialectal) a share; a part of one's responsibility; a fortune


fanambaniny

the bottom, lower parts or underside of something


ahonahona

Reduplication of ahona (“a sudden stop”)


afo

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *hapuy, from Proto-Austronesian *Sapuy.


sendrasendra

[ˌseⁿd̥͡ʐ(ə̥)ˈseⁿd̥͡ʐ(ə̥)]


boadaka

(dialectal, Tankarana) a kind of edible tuber


baolina kitra

baolina (“ball, ball game”) + kitra (“words of excitation”)


efapolo

efatra (“four”) + folo (“ten”), "four tens"


ampahefany

ampaha- (“prefix used to form reciprocal fractions from numbers”) + efatra (“four”) + -ny


afoy

to be forsaken; to be abandoned; to be given up on


baham-bava

bahana (“barrier, hindrance”) + vava (“mouth”)


antsoly

(dialectal, Sakalava) plants in the genus Phyllanthus


androhina

(dialectal) to come together; to accumulate


fanihy

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *paniki. Compare Tagalog paniki.


boerika

words and expressions which are not understood, either gibberish or provincialisms


fakamalao

(Betsileo) cream garland-lily (Hedychium flavescens)


amboahaolo

Eupleres goudotii
Wikispecies:Eupleres goudotii


fandikalalana

Madagascan nightjar (Caprimulgus madagascariensis)


arosy

Sarkidiornis melanotos
Sarkidiornis melanotos#Translingual

knob-billed duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos)


bararaka

The plant names are due to these plants acting as an emetic.


bararaka

(Betsimisaraka) beach cabbage (Scaevola taccada)


bararaka

(Betsimisaraka) the plant Dillenia triquetra


fandrasangara

Accipiter henstii
Accipiter henstii#Translingual


ankoso-bolamena

ankosotra (“plating; coating”) + volamena (“gold”)


disoina

passive verb form of diso; to be transgressed, to be made guilty


takatra

Scopus umbretta
Scopus umbretta#Translingual


nify

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *nipən, from Proto-Austronesian *nipən.


nify

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *nipis, from Proto-Austronesian *Nipis.


vivy

Tachybaptus pelzelnii
Tachybaptus pelzelnii#Translingual

grebes, especially the Madagascan grebe (Tachybaptus pelzelnii)


dangoro

Ardea purpurea
Ardea purpurea#Translingual


aidina

to take X down (can be literal, e.g. taking X downwards, or figurative, e.g. downgrading X)


araka

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *aRak (“walk single-file; be positioned one behind the other”).


araka

(dialectal, Betsimisaraka) Synonym of sasatra


daronambolo

(Betsimisaraka) palm saplings, especially those of Dypsis procumbens(syn. Neophloga mananjarensis)


fandrasalambo

Polyboroides radiatus
Polyboroides radiatus#Translingual

Madagascan harrier-hawk (Polyboroides radiatus)


azy ireo

theirs, them

oblique form of izy ireo; third-person plural oblique pronoun


antsasaka

(of vegetables or leaves) spoiled; rotten


lavaelatra

Falco concolor
Falco concolor#Translingual


bonabona

inflation or swelling resulting from disease


azy

his, hers, its, theirs


ankohonana

a household (house and its occupants regarded as a unit)


ranomandry

From rano (“water”) + mandry (“frozen”). Compare Indonesian air beku.


dary

(Betsileo) a variety of tobacco with particularly large, thick leaves and a strong taste


fahazavan-tsaina

fahazavana (“brightness, brilliance”) + saina (“mind, intellect”)


baranahiny

indifference; heedlessness (lack of care)


ampahazatony

ampaha- (“prefix used to form reciprocal fractions from numbers”) + zato (“one hundred”) + -ny


faham-bahiny

fahana (“support, food given to guests”) + vahiny (“stranger”)


andriambaventy

andriana (“nobility; sovereign”) + vaventy (“great; honourable”)


dika vilana

dika (“step”) + vilana (“crooked, warped”)


arira

legend, tales and superstitions of a particular ethnic population.


ampalibe

ampaly (“Streblus mauritianus”) + be (“big”)


ampelandohalika

ampela + lohalika ("spindle of the knee")


lanitra

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *laŋit, from Proto-Austronesian *laŋiC. Compare Malay langit, Ma'anyan langit, Maori rangi.


ankola-bolana

ankolaka (“indirection”) + volana (“speech”)


ala mikitroka

From ala (“forest”) + mikitroka (“to be thick or close together”).


akanjo baliaka

akanjo (“clothing”) + baliaka (“open; wide”)

a kind of spencer or jacket which is open in the front


abaribary

From baribary (“evident; known”), this a reduplication of bary (“open; expressive (of eyes)”).


hidirôzenina

From English hydrogen or French hydrogène.


baon-dranjo

(dialectal) shin (lower part of the leg from the knee to the foot)


bokolona

(dialectal) one who is habituated to immoral conduct; a rake, a libertine


andriamanjaka

andriana (“nobility”) + manjaka (“to reign”)


antsorina

by taking time to examine or reflect; by procrastination


farihy

→ Swahili: mfereji

From (Western) Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *paʀigi.


fanasan-damba

fanasana (“washing”) + lamba (“cloth, lamba”)


bamba iray

bamba (“spread all over”) + iray (“one”)


bedana

passive verb form of beda; to be grasped, to be gripped


dimaty

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qali-matek. Compare Cebuano alimatok, Thai ทาก (tâak).


afokasoka

afo (“fire”) + kasoka (“the act of rubbing”), i.e. "that which is rubbed [to produce] fire"


volana

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *bulan, from Proto-Austronesian *bulaN.


ahitra

(figuratively) the common people; the commoners


akarenjy

Passive verb form of karenjy (“the state of being free to roam”)

to be let loose (to graze, to play, etc.)


andilana

(dialectal, geography) isthmus (narrow strip of land connecting two landmasses)


demoka

(Betsimisaraka) the tree Beilschmiedia velutina


izaho

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *(i-)aku, from Proto-Austronesian *(i-)aku.


alan-konko

ala (“forest”) + honko (“mangrove tree”)


akanjo tsy lena

akanjo (“clothing”) + tsy (“no; not”) + lena (“wet”), "clothing [which] does not [get] wet"

a waterproof outer garment (e.g. a raincoat)


iraimbilanja

→ English: iraimbilanja


lahy

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian. Compare Malay laki, Tagalog laki.

male (belonging or referring to the sex having the smaller gametes (of humans))


anaka

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *anak, from Proto-Austronesian *aNak.


andriamby

andriana (“sovereign”) + vy (“iron”); "sovereign of iron"


bolody

(dialectal) Synonym of bolidy (“concealment”)


bolody

The sweet potatoes are so called because they are believed to make those who consume it slow and lazy.

(Tankarana, Taisaka) a variety of sweet potato with a light skin


entam-barotra

entana (“burden, baggage”) + varotra (“trade, commerce”)

merchandise (commodities offered for sale)


baorina

milestone (stone milepost placed on the side of paths)


andriamatoa

From andriana (“nobility”) + matoa (“firstborn”)

a title of respect for the eldest male in a family


boky boky

narrow-striped mongoose (Mungotictis decemlineata)


head

vehivavy lehibe mikarakara ny tokantrano


bobongolo

(Tankarana) a wild animal similar to a cat


diam-panjava

dia (“step, journey, track”) + fanjava (“moon”)


alatsinainy

From Arabic الِاثْنَيْنِ.

bor

الِاثْنَيْنِ

Arabic الِاثْنَيْنِ


zavona

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *ʀabun. Compare Old Javanese hĕbun, ĕbun, ambun (“cloud”), Malay rabun and Central Dusun gavun.


zavamaneno

zavatra + neno, "thing which makes sound"


gidro

From Swahili ngedere or Arabic قِرْد (“monkey”)


ozatra

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *uʀat, from Proto-Austronesian *huʀaC.


antsanga

sediment deposited by a flood or a stream


diksionary

From French dictionnaire or English dictionary.


mikoviaviaka

Active verb form of koviaviaka (“imitative of a horse's sound”)


ampahasivy

ampaha- (“prefix used to form reciprocal fractions from numbers”) + sivy (“nine”)


anaram-bosotra

nickname (familiar, invented given name)


bakaka

(Sakalava) Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense)

Sorghum bicolor
Sorghum bicolor#Translingual


bakaka

(dialectal, of cloth or mats) badly woven or plaited


andriana

[ˈaⁿɖ͡ʐiən(ə̥)]

[ˈaⁿɖ͡ʐen(ə̥)]

Clipping of randriana from Old Javanese rahadyan or hadyan (compare with Javanese raden).


avaratra

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *habaRat (“southwest monsoon”), from Proto-Austronesian *SabaRat (“south wind”). Compare Malay barat (“west”).


fahaporetana

From poritra (“squeezed, crushed, embarrassed”).


fahatafintohinana

From tafintohina (“offended, tripped, stumbling”).


foitra

Inherited from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *pusəj.


fambara

From ambara (“told; declared; revealed”).


baribary

From bary (“open and expressive (eyes)”).


falafa

midribs of banana or traveller's palm leaves

(by extension) wall panels or partitions made from these midribs


ala voady

ala (“without; freed from”) + voady (“vow”)


ankolany

(dialectal) litter, sedan chair (bed, couch, or chair raised on poles as a mode of transport)


befelatanana

be (“big, great”) + felatanana (“palm of the hand”)

the palm trees Borassus madagascariensis and Bismarckia nobilis


vonenina

Madagascar periwinkle
Madagascar periwinkle

Catharanthus roseus
Catharanthus roseus#Translingual

rosy periwinkle, Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)


alain-jazabodo

From zazabodo (“young child”), as young children are unable to drive sharp bargains.


ara-potoana

araka (“according to; following”) + fotoana (“an appointed time”)

(of a session or assembly) regular, ordinary


ava-peo

avaka (“separation; distinction”) + feo (“voice”)


banjana

(Tankarana) plain (large area of flat land with few trees)


angadinomby

angady (“spade”) + omby (“cattle”); "spade for cattle"


bohy

(Tankarana, Sakalava) any member of the genus Commiphora of plants


bakilam-bilany

bakilana (“piece, scrap, fragment”) + vilany (“pot”)


trandraka

→ French: tanrec

→ English: tenrec

Possibly related to Malay landak ("porcupine")

Tenrec ecaudatus
Wikispecies:Tenrec ecaudatus


fahaverezana

From vereza, the imperative form of very.


fahan-kanina

a present (usually money) made to the near relatives or the chief mourners before a funeral


vovoka

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qabuk, from Proto-Austronesian *qabuk.


ampongabendanitra

Sometimes interpreted as amponga + be + lanitra, "great drum of heaven", but in reality from English pomegranate.


kibobo

Turnix nigricollis
Turnix nigricollis#Translingual

the Madagascan buttonquail (Turnix nigricollis)


afofandiovana

From afo (“fire; calamity”) + fandiovana (“cleansing; purifying”).


bakilan-damba

bakilana (“piece, scrap, fragment”) + lamba


ary

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *a-di or Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qadi.


babaka

(Betsimisaraka, Sakalava, Tankarana) pumpkin


adin' andriana

[ˈadn̩ʲ ˌaⁿɖ͡ʐiən(ə̥)]

[ˈadn̩ʲ ˌaⁿɖ͡ʐen(ə̥)]

ady + andriana, literally “war of the nobility”

af

a quarrel in which both parties show great respect for each other


anakandriamaso

anakandriana + maso, "prince of the eye"


fanaloka

Likely related to Malay pelanduk (“mousedeer”) through metathesis.

Malagasy civet, striped civet (Fossa fossana) (civet-like mammal endemic to Madagascar)


famandrihana

reservation (for a seat, hotel room, etc.)


havanana

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *(ka-)wanan, from Proto-Austronesian *(ka-)wanaN.


be bonga

be (“big, great”) + bonga (“clod, hill”)


bonaka

Synonym of bonabona (“swelling from disease”)

(Betsileo) a kind of rapid-growing sweet potato


bary andro

bary (“open and expressive (eyes)”) + andro (“day”)


antsantsa

(figurative, dialectal) robber who robs travelers


antsantsa

(dialectal) a kind of small green lizard


ampaly

Any plant of species Ficus politoria (syn. Ficus soroceoides), whose leaves are rough like sandpaper

(dialectal) any plant of species Ampalis mauritiana (syn. Streblus mauritianus)

(dialectal) any plant of species Campylospermum obtusifolium


akoran-dranomasina

akora (“shell of an animal”) + ranomasina (“sea”)


basy poleta

basy (“gun”) + poleta (“pistol”), the latter component from French pistolet.


taona

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *taqun (compare Maori tau, Indonesian tahun).


ampahafitony

ampaha- (“prefix used to form reciprocal fractions from numbers”) + fito (“seven”) + -ny


besavily

be (“big, great”) + savily (“hinge”), referring to the swinging of its tail.


amboara

From voara (“bundle of young rice plants for transplanting”).

sheaf (tied-up bundle of cut grain stalks)


dingadingana

(Tankarana) the plant Dombeya linearifolia


barabara saina

barabara (“hoarse; foolish”) + saina (“mind; intellect”)


bandrolahy

(dialectal) hook-billed vanga (Vanga curvirostris)


akororosy

passive form of kororosy; to be made to slide along (something)


anabavy

female relative of a male who belongs to the same generation


ahidrano

ahitra (“grass; herbaceous plant”) + rano (“water”). The first three senses are due to the plants growing in wet, muddy areas.

antelope grass (Echinochloa pyramidalis)


bibindandy

biby (“animal”) + landy (“silk, silkworm”)


famahanantenona

famahanana (“supporting”) + tenona (“weaving”)


akimpy

Passive verb form of kimpy (“state of eyes being shut”)


ampaheniny

ampaha- (“prefix used to form reciprocal fractions from numbers”) + enina (“six”) + -ny


azary

(dialectal, Tankarana) sorcery, witchcraft


bala mihanta

bala (“bullet”) + mihanta (“to be spoiled”)

(figuratively) a heavy charge which cannot be refuted


baikon' ny moana

baiko (“foreign word; command”) + ny (“the”) + moana (“mute”), "commands/foreign words of the mute"


ba-tongotra

ba (“stockings, sock”) + tongotra (“foot”)


matory

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *ma-tuduR, from Proto-Austronesian *ma-tuduR.


ampelasalasala

ampela (“spindle”) + salasala (“of medium size; middling”)


masoandro

From maso (“eye”) + andro (“day”). Compare Ma'anyan mateanrau (“eye+day: sun”).


dilatra

(Bezanozano) the plant Leptolaena multiflora


antehe

(dialectal, Sakalava) starboard (right side of a watercraft when one is facing forward)


falamakavava

Anastomus lamelligerus
Anastomus lamelligerus#Translingual

(Tanala) African openbill (Anastomus lamelligerus)


aretin-tenda

diseases of the throat, such as a sore throat or pharyngitis


deboka

splash (sound of an object hitting water)


abahana

/ə̥ˈbahə̥nə̥/


ankamamina

From mamy (“sweet; well-liked”); literally "to be found sweet".


alefa

Passive verb form of lefa (“one who escapes”)


andian-tantely

andia (“group of people or animals”) + tantely (“bee”)


mpampianatra

The agent noun of mampianatra (“teach”).


ampakarina

From akarina (“to be taken or fetched up”), this from akatra (“ascent”).

to be taken for marriage; to be a spouse


diridirina

passive verb form of diridiry; to be made tense, to be stretched


antsavily

From savily (“hinge; the act of swinging on a hinge”).


tsiriry

Madagascan grebe (Tachybaptus pelzelnii)

Tachybaptus ruficollis
Tachybaptus ruficollis#Translingual


mampianatra

Causative form of mianatra (“study, learn”).


bokotra mamy

From bokotra (“button”) + mamy (“sweet”).


dobo filomanasana

dobo (“pool”) + filomanasana (“swimming”)


farifotra

spectacled tetraka (Xanthomixis zosterops)


vorombato

Glareola ocularis
Glareola ocularis#Translingual

Madagascan pratincole (Glareola ocularis)


vaovao

Reduplication of vao, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *(ma-)baqəʀu, from Proto-Austronesian *(ma-)baqəʀuh. Cognate with Indonesian baru.


ampahafolony

ampaha- (“prefix used to form reciprocal fractions from numbers”) + folo (“ten”) + -ny


ambaramaso

ambara (“to be revealed”) + maso (“eye”)


ampahatelony

ampaha- (“prefix used to form reciprocal fractions from numbers”) + telo (“three”) + -ny


efa-joro

efatra (“four”) + zoro (“corner, angle”)


sokina

Haza sokina.

To hunt tenrecs (figuratively: to examine very carefully)

Setifer setosus
Setifer setosus#Translingual

the greater hedgehog tenrec, Setifer setosus


dezaina

passive verb form of deza; to be made upright


botraro

(dialectal) a container for storing rice


tavan' arosy

tava + arosy, literally "face/figure of a knob-billed duck"


manasa

Manasa ny tanako amin'ny savony aho


tongasoa

Tongasoa eto Madagasikara.


anamamy

anana (“leaf vegetable”) + mamy (“sweet”)

Solanum nigrum
Solanum nigrum#Translingual


fanaovana vaksiny

fanaovana (“means of effection”) + vaksiny (“vaccine”)


akanjo fanamiana

akanjo (“clothing”) + fanamiana (“uniform”)


ampy

(dialectal) the plant Laportea humblotii (syn. Urera longifolia)


betsimihilana

be (“big, great”) + tsy (“not”) + mihilana (“to incline”), referring to how the lily pad remains flat on the water surface.


bitsibitsika

Reduplication of bitsika (“whisper, murmur”)


afioka

Passive verb form of fioka (“whizzing; whistling; lashing of a whip”)


fanasana ati-doha

fanasana (“washing”) + ati-doha (“brain”)


anao

yours (sg.); thine


dadasika

Dadasika io lalana io

Dadasika io trano io

Dadasika io lehilahy io


volonondry

volo (“hair”) + ondry (“sheep”), "sheep hair"


akanjo bory tanana

akanjo (“clothing; shirt”) + bory (“shortened; cropped”) + tanana (“hand”)


trozona

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *duyuŋ (“dugong”).


ampelam-bantotra

ampela (“woman”) + vantotra (“one which has reached mature size”)


andefimandry

ana + lefitra + mandry, "the one lying on the other side [of the bed]"


be saina

be (“big, great”) + saina (“mind, intellect”)


aniana

(dialectal, Betsimisaraka) yarn ready for weaving


alarobia

From Arabic الْأَرْبِعَاء (al-ʔarbiʕāʔ).

bor

الْأَرْبِعَاء

Arabic الْأَرْبِعَاء (al-ʔarbiʕāʔ)


anio alina

anio (“later this day”) + alina (“night”)


fitiliandro

Malagasy palm swift (Cypsiurus gracilis)

Madagascan spinetail (Zoonavena grandidieri)


elatra

the opening or spreading out of a large piece of cloth (e.g. a lamba, a curtain


afotana

(dialectal) that which is wound around something (e.g. a rope)


divay

→ Swahili: divai


fary

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *pajay (“rice plant”), from Proto-Austronesian *pajay (“rice plant”). Doublet of vary (“paddy”). Compare Ma'anyan parei, Javanese pari, Malay padi and Tagalog palay.


fony

Inherited from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *punay.

inh+

Madagascan blue pigeon (Alectroenas madagascariensis), a species of pigeon, belonging to a genus peculiar to Madagascar.


jamoka

(dialectal, Tankarana) baskets stored on shelves as an ornament


bakoly kitsoloha

bakoly (“crockery”) + kitsoloha (“pointed, conical”)


asy

(dialectal, Tankarana, Taisaka) respect, veneration


mikivilivily

From kivilivily (“oscillation; rocking movement”).


miraharaha

Active verb form of raharaha (“occupation; business; work”)


mandresy

mandresy (indicative present)
nandresy (indicative past)
handresy (future indicative)
mandrese (imperative)


maty

Inherited from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *(m-)atay (“die; dead; sick; tired (of)”), from Proto-Austronesian *ma-aCay (“die; dead; eclipse of sun or moon”), from Proto-Austronesian *aCay (“death”).


man-

Prefix used to form active transitive verbs, and sometimes used to form adjectives.


vao

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *(ma-)baqəʀu, from Proto-Austronesian *(ma-)baqəʀuh.


amalo

Cognate of Malay malung. Sense of orchid from shape of its seed pods

any native orchid of the Vanilla species


sifaka

→ Catalan: sifaca

→ English: sifaka

→ German: Sifaka


babakoto

→ English: babakoto, babacoote


vay

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *baʀəq (“abscess, boil, swelling on the body”).


vay

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *baʀah (“ember, glowing coal”).


malagasy

[ˌmalə̥ˈɡ̊aʃ]


Rosia

Russia (A transcontinental country in Eastern Europe and North Asia)


vinanina

To be guessed at; to be conjectured; to be predicted.


endrina

→ English: indri

(dialectal) indri (Indri indri, species of lemur)


orona

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *ujuŋ, *ijuŋ, from Proto-Austronesian *mujiŋ. Compare Tagalog ilong, Malay hidung, Tsat thuŋ¹¹, Acehnese idông, Tetum inur, Hawaiian ihu.


mitao

mitao (indicative present)
nitao (indicative past)
hitao (future indicative)
mitaova (imperative)

(intransitive, active/agent-focus) to be armed


ambangovangony

From vangovango (“draft; rough preparation”).


filôzôfia

From English philosophy, from French philosophie.


Ejipta

Egypt (a country in North Africa and Western Asia)


vavy

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *bahi, from Proto-Austronesian *bahi. Compare Ma'anyan wavey, Tagalog babae.


fanorona

→ English: fanorona

→ French: fanorona

The national game of Madagascar, a board game similar to checkers / draughts


avay

(dialectal, Betsimisaraka, Tankarana) shoulder


orkide

Borrowed from Greek ορχιδέα (orchidéa, “orchid”).


horita

→ French: ourite

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kuʀita (“octopus”), from Proto-Austronesian *guʀiCa (“octopus”). Compare also Kavalan qlita, Paiwan guritsa, Malay kurita, Javanese gurita, Ilocano kurita, Cebuano kugita, Marshallese kweet, Fijian kuita.


mijery

mijery (indicative present)
nijery (indicative past)
hijery (future indicative)
mijere (imperative)


mivoady

mivoady (indicative present)
nivoady (indicative past)
hivoady (future indicative)
mivoadia (imperative)


voanio

Compound of voa (“fruit”) + nio (“coconut”), where the second element comes from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *niuʀ (“coconut”).


sorabe

From Arabic سورة (sūra, “writing”) + be (“large”).

af

Sorabe (an Arabic-based writing system for the Malagasy language)


antsangy

[əˈⁿt͡saᵑɡʲ]

From a Sabaki Bantu language; compare Swahili sengi (“elephant shrew”).


lavitra

From Proto-Western Malayo-Polynesian *alawid.


alaina

From Proto-Austronesian *ala-en, *alaq-en.


manohana

Misaotra anao nanohana ahy tamin'ny fianarako.

Thank you for supporting me during my studies.


oloko

first-person singular possessive of olona


voalavo

Inherited from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *balabaw.


mitsoka

Mitsoka mozika.


varifemba

Compound of vary (“rice”) + femba (“sorghum”).


fontsy

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *punti, from Proto-Austronesian *punti.


femba

From a Bantu language, ultimately from Proto-Bantu *mʊ̀pémbá (“millet”). Compare Shona nyemba (“cowpea”) and Chichewa nyemba (“bean”).


amboa

Borrowed from Swahili mbwa.
Malagasy is unusual among the Austronesian languages in that all its words for 'dog' are loanwords, derived from Bantu languages. All pre-colonial dogs in Madagascar are descended from dogs from mainland Africa. The initial Austronesian settlers of Madagascar certainly would have brought dogs with them, but these dogs may not have survived the voyage to Madagascar, or were genetically supplanted by mainland African dogs.


epistemolojia

Ny epistemolojia dia fianarana ny momba ny fahamarinana, mahafaoka ny hoe ahoana no ahafantarana hoe inona no marina. Ny epistemolojia dia mikasika ihany koa ny fomba hamantarana ireo loharano nipoiran’ny fahalalana.

2012, “CRE102 Tari-dalana mikasika ireo Fitsipi-pampianarana”, in IICM-MALAGASY-IOUM-MIN PERS, page 3:

~ Epistemology is the study of truth, which includes how to know what is right. Epistemology is also concerned with identifying the source of knowledge


Madagasikara

Madagascar (an island and country off the east coast of Africa)


fiantsifa

bluespine unicornfish
bluespine unicornfish

short-nose unicornfish
short-nose unicornfish

Naso unicornis
Wikispecies:Naso unicornis

bluespine unicornfish, short-nose unicornfish (Naso unicornis)


maky

desctree

→ French: maki
→ Catalan: maqui
→ English: maki
→ German: Maki
→ Italian: maki


aiay

→ English: aye-aye


ampongy

western woolly lemur (Avahi occidentalis)


voay

Inherited from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *buqaya. Compare Indonesian buaya.


tsidiala

hairy-eared dwarf lemur
hairy-eared dwarf lemur

hairy-eared dwarf lemur (Allocebus trichotis)


lamboresy

From lambo (“wild boar”) + resy (“defeated; conquered”).


kiky

Rallus madagascariensis
Rallus madagascariensis#Translingual

Madagascan rail, Rallus madagascariensis


vorondolo

From vorona (“bird”) + lolo (“ghost”). Compare Indonesian burung hantu (literally “ghost bird”).


pisopiso

The plants are believed to attract cats. From piso.

(dialectal) the plant Woodfordia fruticosa (fire-flame bush)

(dialectal) the plant Pemphis madagascariensis


papango

→ French: papangue

Circus macrosceles
Circus macrosceles#Translingual


ondry

Ultimately from a Central Sudanic language, in which it originally meant "goat".


vorombazaha

vorona (“bird”) + vazaha (“foreigner; white person”); "foreign bird".


vorombe

vorona (“bird”) + be (“big”); "big bird"


ganagana

From French cane (“female duck”), plus reduplication.


inty

Inherited from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qitəm, via the metathised form *qimtə.


volamena

From vola (“silver metal”) + mena (“red”).


varika

Related to Banjarese warik (“monkey”) and Ma'anyan warik (“monkey”).


sahona

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *sa(ŋ)kuŋ (“resounding sound”).


antsipika

antsy (“knife”) + pika (“the click of a knife or lock”)


didy

(Tanosy) Synonym of mamo (“drunk, exhausted, disgusted”)


milefa ny fosa, tojo ny ampaha

Literally "to escape from the fossa and meet a wild cat".

between Scylla and Charybdis
between Scylla and Charybdis

out of the frying pan, into the fire
out of the frying pan, into the fire

between Scylla and Charybdis; out of the frying pan, into the fire


fitiliky

small-toothed sportive lemur (Lepilemur microdon)

weasel sportive lemur (Lepilemur mustelinus)


vositse

Malagasy giant rat (Hypogeomys antimena)


asetilkôlinina

From English acetylcholine or French acétylcholine.

(biochemistry) acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter in humans and other animals)


tandroka

horn (pointed keratin-based growth protruding from the head of certain animals)


Etazonia

the United States (a country in North America)


ambiaty

Gymnanthemum appendiculatum (a species of flowering plant)


fotatra

Barringtonia asiatica
Barringtonia asiatica#Translingual

(Betsimisaraka, Tanosy) a large tree, Barringtonia asiatica (fish poison tree)


faitra

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *paqit, from Proto-Austronesian *paqiC.


mahatanando

maha- (causative prefix) + tana (“to grab, to hold”) + ando (“dew”)


rafiky

Either borrowed from Swahili rafiki or its source Arabic رَفِيق (rafīq, “companion”).


Sakave

From earlier *Vesaka ve (literally “big Vaisakha”), from *Vesaka + ve; the first element is ultimately from Sanskrit वैशाख (vaiśākha).


hetsi

Borrowed from Malay keti, from Sanskrit कोटि (koṭi). Compare English crore.


kiraru

Borrowed from Ndzwani Comorian *kilarú, earlier form of shilarú. Compare Swahili kiaru.

Alexander Adelaar
University of Hawai'i Press


sombily

Borrowed from Malay sembelih, sembeleh, possibly from Arabic بِٱسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ (bismi llāhi, literally “in the name of God”). Compare Tagalog sumbáli.

der

بِٱسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ

slaughter (killing of an animal for food)

(specifically) dhabihah (Muslim ritual slaughter)


Sakamasay

From earlier *Vesaka masay (literally “small Vaisakha”), from *Vesaka + masay; the first element is ultimately from Sanskrit वैशाख (vaiśākha).


tanety

Borrowed from a South Sulawesi language, from Proto-South Sulawesi *tanete; compare Makasar tanete.


sodina

Borrowed from either Malay suling or Sundanese suling.


zamany

Either borrowed from Swahili zamani or its source Arabic زَمَن (zaman), زَمَان (zamān, “time”).


vazaha

This word comes from the time of Queen Ranavalona I, who, in her desire for "Malagachisation" had foreigners listed (in Malagasy "list (make a census)" is called voazaha). Further linguistic etymology is unknown, with no known Austronesian cognates.


Aostralia

Australia (A country in Oceania comprising the islands of Australia, Tasmania and other smaller islands in the Pacific Ocean, as well as a former colony in the British Empire)

(geology) Australia (a continent consisting of the islands of Australia, New Guinea and intervening islands)


ماداجاسيكارا

head

ماداجاسيكارا

Arabic spelling of Madagasikara (“Madagascar”)


From "mifoka, miloka, migoka, mivarotena" ("To smoke, gamble, drink, prostitute oneself")


N̈

A letter of the Malagasy alphabet, written in the Latin script.


tandrondro

Clipping of sangoritra, variant of sangorina (“to cut”), in reference to its quick thrusting tongue, and rondra (“to crawl”)


atraka

Possibly from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *aŋkat (“to lift”).


alamboronala

From halamborona compound of hala (“sought, destination”) + borona (“bird”) altogether “perch”, and ala (“forest”)

Delonix regia
Delonix regia#Translingual

Any Delonix species especially Delonix regia (royal poinciana, flamboyant)


fengoka

From faingoka related to faraingo variant of baraingo, from bingo (“crooked”) (compare with Malay bengkok)