pin_drop Numbers

Counting from 21 to 100 in Fon

fɔ̀ngbè uses a vigesimal system (base 20). After kò (20), numbers are built in steps of 20, 40, 60, 80, up to kanweko (100).

schedule 5 min
signal_cellular_alt Intermediate
1
21-39

Beyond 20

Structure: kò + kpó + digit.

21 — kò kpó ɖokpó20 + 1
25 — kò kpó atɔ́ɔ́n20 + 5
30 — kò kpó wǒ20 + 10 (or gbàn)
35 — kò kpó wǒ kpó atɔ́ɔ́n20 + 10 + 5
2
40-79

Multiples of 20

40 — kò wètwenty × 2
60 — kò atɔ̀ntwenty × 3
80 — kò ɛnɛ̀twenty × 4
50 — kò wè kpó wǒ40 + 10
70 — kò atɔ̀n kpó wǒ60 + 10

These words spoken by a native speaker: Parlons Fongbe Academy — 79 video lessons with a native speaker.Discover

3
100

Kanweko — the hundred

kanweko
100 (one hundred)

Kanweko is a specific term. Beyond that: kanweko wè (200), kanweko atɔ̀n (300)…

info

Variant

For 30, people also say gbàn (a specific term). For 50, some regions say afɔtɔ̀n. The system is not 100% rigid.

Counting by 20

Mastering kò (20) and kanweko (100), with their multiples, lets you count up to 100 in Fon. Essential at the market.

à ≠ ǎ
One tone, and everything changes
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