palette By topic
12 colors in Fon
To describe a wrapper, an object or nature, fɔ̀ngbè has a rich color vocabulary. Here are the 12 main colors with their pronunciation.
schedule 5 min
signal_cellular_alt Beginner
1
Primary
The 6 basic colors
Vívɛ́Black
WéwéWhite
Vɔvɔ̀Red
AmǐamǐGreen
AɖǔYellow
BulúBlue (loanword)
2
Secondary
Derived colors
Aɖǔvɔvɔ̀Orange (yellow-red)
Vɔvɔ̀ fɔ̌Pink (light red)
MlámláBrown
Wewé vívɛ́Gray (white-black)
ƉuGolden / gold
Klɛklɛ́Silver / shiny
Àvɔ̀ vɔvɔ̀ tɔn
His/her red wrapper
3
Flag
The colors of Benin
The Beninese flag in Fon:
AmǐamǐGreen (hope)
AɖǔYellow (wealth)
Vɔvɔ̀Red (courage)
Asíá BéninFlag of Benin
Tip
To describe a shade, add fɔ̌ (light) or kpíkpó (dark) after the color. E.g.: vɔvɔ̀ kpíkpó = dark red.
A rainbow in Fon
With these 12 colors and 2 shade words (light/dark), you can describe your whole colorful world in fɔ̀ngbè.
à ≠ ǎ
One tone, and everything changes
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Go further
- Fon vocabulary: 102 essential words — by theme, checked against the course
- The Fon video course: see the program — 79 lessons with a native speaker from Cotonou, taught in French
- What is your Fon level? — the free 15-question test