How to Pronounce ariary

Meaning and Context

The ariary (ISO code: MGA) is the distinctive and sole legal tender of Madagascar, a sovereign currency that formally replaced the Malagasy franc in 2005, solidifying its status after a transitional period. As the official currency of Madagascar, it is a fundamental pillar of the nation's economy, facilitating all domestic trade, tourism, and financial transactions. Unique among world currencies, the ariary is subdivided into five iraimbilanja, a system that predates decimalization and reflects the nation's historical numismatic heritage. The Banky Foiben'i Madagasikara (Central Bank of Madagascar) issues ariary banknotes and coins in various denominations, which are essential for everyday commerce from the bustling markets of Antananarivo to the coastal villages. Understanding the ariary exchange rate is crucial for international trade and travelers, as its value fluctuates against major currencies like the US dollar and euro. The continued use of the ariary symbolizes Madagascar's economic sovereignty and cultural identity.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary spelling is ariary, which is both singular and plural (e.g., one ariary, one hundred ariary). A common misspelling is "aryary," swapping the 'i' and 'a', or "ariari," stemming from a doubling error. Another frequent typo is "ariery," with an 'e' replacing the second 'a'. When discussing its subdivision, iraimbilanja is often misspelled; common errors include "iraimbilaja" (dropping the 'n'), "iraimbolanja," or "iraimbilanjia." It is also not uncommon for writers to mistakenly refer to the old "Malagasy franc" as if it were still in concurrent use, or to incorrectly assume the ariary is decimalized like most modern currencies, leading to confusion with the 1-to-5 conversion with the former franc and the unique iraimbilanja system.

Example Sentences

Travelers to Madagascar must exchange their foreign currency for ariary to pay for local goods and services.

At the artisan market, the intricately carved wooden box was priced at 25,000 ariary.

The old taxi fare was 2,000 ariary, which is equivalent to 400 of the former Malagasy francs.

She carefully counted out the coins, making sure to include one iraimbilanja piece to complete the exact amount.

The central bank introduced new anti-counterfeit features on the 10,000 ariary banknote to enhance security.

Understanding the daily ariary exchange rate is vital for businesses involved in exporting vanilla and other Malagasy spices.

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