schedule Numbers

Telling time in Fon

Reading a clock in fɔ̀ngbè combines the basic numbers (ɖokpó to wǒ) and the word gan which means the hour. Here is the complete method.

schedule 4 min
signal_cellular_alt Intermediate
1
Structure

Gan + number

The word gan means « hour » (bell/time). The structure is: gan [number].

Gan ɖokpó1 o’clock (one hour)
Gan wè2 o’clock
Gan atɔ̀n3 o’clock
Gan ɛnɛ̀4 o’clock
Gan atɔ́ɔ́n5 o’clock
Gan wǒ10 o’clock
2
Half and quarter

Expressing fractions

For a time that isn’t on the hour:

Gan wè kpó mǐnutu kanweko2:30 (lit. 2 o’clock + 30 min)
Gan atɔ̀n kpó kwata ɖokpóQuarter past 3
Ko nyí gan ɛnɛ̀ ǎIt’s not 4 o’clock yet
Nabí gan wɛ ?
What time is it?

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

3
Morning / evening

Specifying the part of the day

Gan atɔ́ɔ́n ɖò zǎnzǎn5 in the morning
Gan atɔ́ɔ́n ɖò gbadanu5 in the evening
Gbe ɖò hwemɛIt’s midday
Gbe ɖò zǎnIt’s nighttime
info

Practical tip

In Benin, the marker zǎnzǎn (morning) or gbadanu (evening) is often added to clear up the ambiguity between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Reading a clock in Fon

With gan + a number + a marker (zǎnzǎn / gbadanu), you can say any time in fɔ̀ngbè.

à ≠ ǎ
One tone, and everything changes
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