Language/Southern-betsimisaraka-malagasy/Grammar/How-to-Use-Be

Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy Grammar - How to Use "Be"

Hi Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on the verb "be" and how to use it in Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy. "Be" is a very important verb as it is used to describe existence, identity, and properties. We'll also learn some cultural tips and facts about the Betsimisaraka people as we go along. 😎

Take a moment to explore these relevant pages as you conclude this lesson: How to Use Have & Prepositions of Place.

Singular Forms

In Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy, the verb "be" has three singular forms depending on the gender of the subject. Let's take a look at them:

Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy	Pronunciation	English
Misy	[mɪsʲ]	Is (used for masculine subjects)
Maha	[ma.ha]	Is (used for feminine subjects)
Izy	[i.zʲ]	He/She/It is

Here's an example dialogue between two friends considering the use of "be":

• Friend 1: Misy tompoko ny reniny. ([His] father is here. )
• Friend 2: Maha maty angaha ny tantarany ? ([Her] story is dead already?)
• Friend 1: Izy no miaraka aminay. (He/She/It is with us.)

Plural Forms

In Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy, the plural form of "be" is "Mamitovy." It is used to describe multiple subjects, regardless of gender. For example:

Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy	Pronunciation	English
Mamitovy aho	[ma.mɪtɔvʲ a.hʊ]	I am
Mamitovy ianao	[ma.mɪ.tɔvʲ ja.naʊ]	You are
Mamitovy izy ireo	[ma.mɪ.tɔvʲ ɪ.zʲɪ re.o]	They are

Let's use it in a dialogue:

• Person 1: Mamitovy aho fiainana. (I am life.)
• Person 2: Mamitovy ianao fahavalo. (You are the enemy.)
• Person 1: Mamitovy izy ireo mpiandraikitra. (They are leaders.)

Using "Be" in Noun Phrases

In Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy, the verb "be" is also used to connect nouns and adjectives together to make descriptions. The basic word order is Subject-V-Adjective-Noun. For example:

Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy	Pronunciation	English
Misy voly manga.	[mɪsʲ vɔlʲ maŋ.ɡa]	There is a yellow banana.
Izy tia tsara ny vary.	[i.zʲ t͡ʃa t͡sʲa.ra nʲ va.rʲ]	He/She/It likes good rice.

Let's see this in action in a dialogue:

• Person 1: Misy biby tsara mafy ? ([Is there a] good white animal?)
• Person 2: Tsy misy. (No, there [isn't].)
• Person 1: Maha lanitra be ny masoko. ([My] skirt is [the] big sky.)
• Person 2: Azoko antoka fa tsara be ny fototrao. ([I] am sure that [your] place is very nice.)

Using "Be" with Adverbs and Prepositions

In Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy, the verb "be" can also be combined with adverbs and prepositions to create more complex sentences. Here are some examples:

Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy	Pronunciation	English
Tsy maninona isika raha tsy mamitovy anefa izahay.	[tsʲ ma.nʲi.nʲɔn a.sʲɪka ra.ha tsʲ mæ.mɪ.tɔvʲ a.ne.fa ɪ.zahaj]	It doesn't matter if we are not together.
Misy ny antony fa tsy misy fitahiana.	[mɪsʲ nʲ an.tɔ.nʲ fa tsʲ mɪsʲ fɪ.ta.hjanə]	There is a reason why there is no argument.

Let's practice it in context:

• Person 1: Inona ny fanazavana momba ny tzakao anjara amin'ny fotoana tokony ho tany ? (What is the explanation about keeping your side of the street when you leave ?)
• Person 2: Misy fisehoany foana, ka tsy maintsy avadika izany. (There is always a reason for it, and [we] have to respect it).
• Person 1: Misy volo latabatrao afa tsy mankafy. ([There] is a green small bird but it is not skinny.)
• Person 2: Tombo-kaseo azy, toy ny vorontsiloza. (It is a kind of warbler, like a Madagascar brush-warbler.)

Conclusion

In this lesson, we have learned the usage of the verb "be" in Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy. Make sure to practice using it with the examples given and in everyday conversations. To improve your Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy grammar, visit the dedicated [Language/Southern-betsimisaraka-malagasy/Grammar|grammar section] of the Polyglot Club website. Don't hesitate to find native speakers and ask them any questions.

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➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.

➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Upon wrapping up this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Negation & Personal Pronouns.

Other Lessons

• Nouns
• How to Use Have
• Negation
• Pronouns
• Questions
• Future Tense
• Adjectives
• Conditional Mood
• Give your Opinion

Sources

• Southern-betsimisaraka-malagasy Grammar - Negation
• Southern-betsimisaraka-malagasy Grammar - Nouns

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