Language/Southern-betsimisaraka-malagasy/Vocabulary/Family-Members
In this lesson, we will learn the Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy vocabulary for family members. Family is an essential part of the Malagasy culture, and so it is essential for learners of Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy to know these words. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use the vocabulary in context and talk about your family and relationships.
Family Members Vocabulary
Below are the words for various family members. Along with the Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy word, there is also a pronunciation guide as well as an English translation:
| Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Razana | Razana | Ancestor |
| Ray | Rye | Father |
| Rena | Reena | Sister |
| Rero | Re-roo | Brother |
| Reny | Renee | Wife |
| Rafi-pitiavana | Rafee-pitch-ava-na | Sweetheart/ Significant Other |
| Renin'ny zaza | Renin'-ny za-za | Nanny |
| Renikely | Reni-kay-lee | Baby |
| Rain'ny mpianatra | Ryn-ny mpi-anatra | Teacher |
| Raitra | Ry-tra | Cousin |
| Raitrana | Ry-tra-na | Uncle |
| Raitrano | Ry-tra-no | Aunty |
| Ranavalona | Ranavalona | Queen |
Here are some example sentences using the vocabulary we just learned:
- Ny ray no namako. (My father is my friend.)
- Reny tsy mahalala mandritra ny fitadiavana. (The wife does not know how to look for things.)
- Renin'ny zaza no ampianariko ny zazalahy anao. (I'll ask my nanny to teach your son.)
It's a good idea to practice these words as often as possible to retain the vocabulary. You can also practice by trying to use them in sentences with friends and family members.
Summary
In this lesson, we learned the Southern Betsimisaraka Malagasy vocabulary for family members, including words for father, sister, brother, and wife, among others. We also saw some examples of how to use these words in sentences. Remember to practice often to help you retain the vocabulary.