Languages In Benin Republic And Common Phrases In Fongbe Language

SEASON 5, EPISODE 24

Benin Republic, with a population of over 12 million, boasts a diversity of languages with about 55 living languages. French language, which was introduced by the colonial masters, serves as the official and national language which is used for administrative, legal, and documentative purposes. Among the 55 languages spoken in the country there are major indigenous languages like Fon, Yom, Yoruba, Bariba, Fulfulde, Borgu that are widely spoken based on region.

On today’s episode of Learn Africa, we will be looking at some common phrases in the Fongbe language. Fon language is the predominant national language in Benin, spoken by the largest percentage of population, primarily in the southern and central regions.

Below are some common phrases in Fongbe Language

Hello – Doo

Hello/Greetings – Doo nu mi

How are you? – Nε a dé gbon?

I am fine – Un do ganji

Thank you – E na cε nu wé

Thanks – E na cε

I love you – Un nyi wan nu we

What is your name? – Nε a n၁ nyi?

Good morning – A fon dagbe a

Welcome (for one person) – Kwab၁

Welcome (for more than one person) – Mi kwabo

Response to welcome – Yoo

Goodbye – Edab၁

House – Xwé

My house – Xwé ce

Living room – Agbasa

Key – Cavi

Broom – Akiza

Door – H၁n

Spoon – Civi

Knife – Jivi

Soap – Adi

Cooking pot – Ganzin

Money – Akwε

Shirt – Awu

Beads – Jε

Neck beads – K၁jε

Hand beads – Al၁jε

Waist beads – Alinjε

Hat/Cap – Aza/Gbakun

Eyeglasses – Cici

Banana – Kwekwe

Pawpaw – Kpεn

Coconut – Ag၁nkε

Mango – Amaga

Tree – Atin

Boy – Dεkpεvi

Guy – Dεkpε g၁n

Neck – K၁

Eyes – Nukun

Mouth – Onu

Tongue – Ode

Hand – Al၁

Leg – Af၁

Toes – Af၁vi

Finger – Al၁vi

Nose – Aw၁nti

Waist – Alin

One – Ode

Two – Awe

Three – At၁n

Four – εnε

Five – At၁၁n

Six – Ayizεεn

Seven – Tεnwe

Eight – Tant၁n

Nine – Tεnnε

Ten – Wo

Eleven – Wodokpo

Twelve – Wewe

Thirteen – Wat၁n

Fourteen – Wεnε

Fifteen – Af၁t၁n

Sixteen – Af၁t၁n nukun dokpo

Seventeen – Af၁t၁n nukun we

Eighteen – Af၁t၁n nukun at၁n

Nineteen – Af၁t၁n nukun εnε

Twenty – Ko

This rich linguistic landscape reflects Benin’s diverse cultural heritage and provides insight into the origins of its various ethnic groups. Many Beninese individuals speak two or more languages based on their ethnic background and geographical location.

Written and edited by Ebby