Week 1

Question 1

Manao ankasomparana

Answer 1

Meaning: To inflict malicious damage; to harm or treat someone cruelly.

Related word: nisompatra (did harm/was cruel to). Betsimisaraka Context: The phrase is understood, but more direct verbs like misompatra or mampijaly (to make suffer) are common.

Question 2

Mahamarika

Answer 2

Meaning: To notice; to observe.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Generally the same, but mahita (to see) or mahatsikaritra are also commonly used.

Question 3

Mandamaka

Answer 3

Meaning: To lie down; to be bedridden.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Mandry (to lie down) or matory (to sleep) are much more common.

Question 4

Mpialona

Answer 4

Meaning: A jealous person; envious people.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): While mpialona is understood, a jealous person is often called a mpanandry (see card for Manandry).

Question 5

Araka ny nahimpony

Answer 5

Meaning: Naturally; spontaneously; according to one’s own will.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): This is a formal phrase. More common would be ho azy or tonga ho azy (it comes by itself).

Question 6

Taretra

Answer 6

Meaning: Agave plant.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Generally the same name.

Question 7

Voandelaka

Answer 7

Meaning: Lilac; Persian Lilac tree.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Generally the same name.

Question 8

Takotakona

Answer 8

Meaning: A little hidden; partially concealed.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Miafinafina. The root miafina (to hide) is more common than takona.

Question 9

Mampandositra

Answer 9

Meaning: To cause someone or something to run away; to scare off.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Commonly used. Also mampitahotra (to frighten). The exclamation Hosy! is used everywhere to shoo animals.

Question 10

Mahomby

Answer 10

Meaning: To be successful; effective.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Commonly used. The outcome can also be described as vita soa (done well) or lavorary (perfect/complete).

Question 11

Voakolo

Answer 11

Meaning: Well-cared for; cultivated.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Vokarakara tsara (well taken care of) or voataiza soa (well raised). Voakolo is more literary.

Question 12

Fifaliana

Answer 12

Meaning: Joy; happiness.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): The same, as the root faly (happy) is universal.

Question 13

Hatrany

Answer 13

Meaning: Always; continuously.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Foana is a very common and often preferred synonym.

Question 14

Fandaharana

Answer 14

Meaning: A program; a schedule; an arrangement.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Lamina (plan, order) is more commonly used in everyday speech.

Question 15

Fitahian’Andriamanitra

Answer 15

Meaning: The blessing of God.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): The phrase is the same, but with a slight pronunciation difference: Fitahian’Andrianagnahary.

Question 16

Anga / Angamba

Answer 16

Meaning: Maybe; perhaps.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Commonly used. Also Koa or Koa zao.

Question 17

Lalina

Answer 17

Meaning: Deep; profound.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Often pronounced Laliky.

Question 18

Lavina

Answer 18

Meaning: To be refused; to be denied.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): The root là is used, but tsy ekena (not accepted) is also very common.

Question 19

Famelona

Answer 19

Meaning: Livelihood; sustenance.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Fivelomana is the more common form used across Madagascar.

Question 20

Ankohonana

Answer 20

Meaning: Family; household.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Havana.

Question 21

Ise

Answer 21

Meaning: A familiar/informal way of saying ‘you.’

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Anareo can be used for both singular (respectful) and plural you. Ialahy (for a male) is also very common.

Question 22

Fanantenana

Answer 22

Meaning: Hope.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Same word is used.

Question 23

Sambatra

Answer 23

Meaning: Blessed; happy; fortunate; lucky.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Commonly used. Also soa (good) is used to mean lucky or fortunate.

Question 24

Mahakivy

Answer 24

Meaning: To be disappointing; to cause discouragement.

Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Mahakizitina or mankaleo (to make bored/annoyed) are often used to express a similar feeling.

Question 25

Atoroko

Answer 25

Meaning: I will show it. ## Footnote Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): The same structure is used. Toro is the common root.

Question 26

Tsarovy

Answer 26

Meaning: Remember (command). ## Footnote Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Ataovy an-tsaina (Put in your mind) or sometimes pronounced Tsarova.

Question 27

Mpianakavy

Answer 27

Meaning: Family; relatives. ## Footnote Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Havagna (a dialectal variation of havana - relative).

Question 28

Farimbona

Answer 28

Meaning: mutual aid, solidarity, or collective work for the common good. It refers to the act of a community coming together to accomplish a task that would be difficult for one person alone, such as building a house, harvesting a field, or cleaning the village. ## Footnote Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Niara-nisalahy (worked hard together) or nifagnampy (helped each other).

Question 29

Vizaka

Answer 29

Meaning: Tired; weary. ## Footnote Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Reraka is common everywhere, but Valaka is a very typical Betsimisaraka word for being tired.

Question 30

Manahy

Answer 30

Meaning: To worry. ## Footnote Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Mikaiky is often used.

Question 31

Fadiranovana

Answer 31

Meaning: Misery; destitution; great suffering. ## Footnote Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Fahoriana (suffering) or Fahasahiranana (difficulty) are more common in speech.

Question 32

Fiendrika

Answer 32

Meaning: Facial expression, countenance. ## Footnote Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Eva or simply tarehy (face).

Question 33

Mihaona

Answer 33

Meaning: To meet; to encounter. ## Footnote Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Often pronounced Mihaogno.

Question 34

Manandry (Standard Meaning)

Answer 34

Meaning: To wait for; to expect. ## Footnote Example: Manandry bus aho. (I am waiting for the bus.) Betsimisaraka Synonym(s): Miambogno or miandry.

Question 35

Mitandro

Answer 35

to preserve/sheild/careful with | Mila tandrovina ny fahadiovana. keep it clean. ## Footnote Betsimisaraka: Mikarakara

Question 36

Voaray ny hafatra

Answer 36

Message recieved/noted

Question 37

Ny tao an-tsaiko

Answer 37

I thought

Question 38

ny fahitako azy

Answer 38

in my opinion

Question 39

mahatsiaro

Answer 39

remember

Question 40

Moa

Answer 40

A particle used to soften a statement or question, inviting a response without being confrontational. (e.g., "right?", "isn't it?").

Question 41

Tokoa

Answer 41

An adverb that emphasizes the truthfulness or certainty of a statement. (e.g., "indeed", "truly", "certainly").

Question 42

Anie

Answer 42

A particle used to express a wish, hope, or desire. (e.g., "may it be that...", "would that...").

Question 43

Hono

Answer 43

A particle indicating that the information is secondhand. (e.g., "they say", "it is said", "apparently").