Language/Southern-betsimisaraka-malagasy/Vocabulary/Colors
Hi Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn the colors in Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy. Colors play an important role in Malagasy culture especially in traditional costumes, art, and ceremonies. By learning the colors, you will be able to describe the world around you in Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy! 🌈
Take a moment to explore these relevant pages as you conclude this lesson:Drinks, Animals, Geography & Hobbies and Interests.
Basic Colors[edit | edit source]
Let's start with the basic colors:
| Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| volo | /vɔ.lu/ | Red |
| manga | /ma.ŋa/ | Yellow |
| mena | /me.na/ | Green |
| midina | /mi.di.na/ | Blue |
| menarandra | /me.na.ɾan.dɾa/ | Orange |
| volomboro | /vɔ.lɔm.bɔ.ɾɔ/ | Purple |
There are other colors in Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy like brown, gray, black, and white that we will learn later in this lesson.
Usage in context[edit | edit source]
Let's see how colors are used in context:
- Person 1: Misy volo eto. (There is red here.)
- Person 2: Iza no mandinika fotsiny? (What is just red?)
- Person 1: Ny rivotra. (The flower.)
In this example, Person 1 describes the presence of a red object, and Person 2 asks for a specification to understand what it is. Person 1 replies that it is a flower.
- Person 1: Nisy manga tao amin'ny tanàna. (There was yellow in the city.)
- Person 2: Inona no azo anaty tanàna no manga? (What is yellow in the city?)
- Person 1: Ny trano manara-penitra. (The church.)
In this example, Person 1 describes the presence of a yellow object in the city, and Person 2 asks for a specification to understand what it is. Person 1 replies that it is the university.
Shades and Tones[edit | edit source]
In Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy, by adding certain words, you can describe shades and tones of colors. Here are some examples:
| Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| volo madio | /vɔ.lu ma.di.ɔ/ | Bright red |
| manga lahy | /ma.ŋa lahʲ/ | Dark yellow |
| mena momotse | /me.na mɔ.mɔtse/ | Light green |
| midina sy manga | /mi.di.na sy ma.ŋa/ | Bluish-yellow |
| menarandra maizina | /me.na.ɾa.ndɾa ma.i.ʒi.na/ | Dark orange |
| volomboro madio avo | /vɔ.lɔm.bɔ.ɾɔ ma.di.ɔ a.vu/ | Bright purple |
Usage in context[edit | edit source]
Let's see how shades and tones are used in context:
- Person 1: Aiza ny volo madio? (Where is the bright red?)
- Person 2: Amin'ny vata. (On the cloth.)
In this example, Person 1 is looking for something bright red and Person 2 replies that it is on the cloth.
- Person 1: Misy manga lahy eo anatrehan'ny mavokely. (There is dark yellow on the banana.)
- Person 2: Aninao azafady. (Give me it, please.)
- Person 1: Efa nofimampizarako azy. (I already ate it with the banana.)
In this example, Person 1 describes the presence of a dark yellow object on the banana, and Person 2 asks for it. Person 1 replies that they have already eaten it together with the banana.
Other Colors[edit | edit source]
Now, let's learn some other colors.
| Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| alina | /a.li.na/ | Black |
| fotsy | /fɔ.t͡ʃi/ | White |
| vorona | /vɔ.ɾɔ.na/ | Pink |
| vary | /va.ɾʲ/ | Brown |
| volon-tany | /vɔ.lɔn ta.nʲ/ | Gray |
Usage in context[edit | edit source]
Let's see how these new colors are used in context:
- Person 1: Nisy alina tambazotra tany amin'ny vidin-tany. (There was black at the bottom of the rice pot.)
- Person 2: Hitako eo! (I see it there!)
In this example, Person 1 describes the presence of black at the bottom of the rice pot, and Person 2 confirms having seen it.
- Person 1: Sady fotsy ny kilema. (The shirt is white.)
- Person 2: Manam-paharoa aho manao ny kilema toy izao. (I often wear a shirt like this.)
In this example, Person 1 describes the shirt as white, and Person 2 comments that they often wear a shirt in that color.
Review and Practice[edit | edit source]
Now, let's review and practice what we have learned so far.
- Provide the Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy translation for the following colors:
1. Orange 2. Blue 3. Purple 4. Yellow 5. Green
- Provide the Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy translation for the following shades and tones:
1. Dark yellow 2. Bright red 3. Light green 4. Bluish-yellow 5. Dark orange
- Provide the English translation for the following Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy words:
1. Vorona 2. Vary 3. Volomboro 4. Mena 5. Midina
Remember to use the Polyglot Club to practice with native speakers and improve your skills! 🌍🌐💻
➡ 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. 😎