palette By topic
Colors in Fon
In fɔ̀ngbè, colors (sìnmɛ̀) are often linked to natural elements or everyday objects. Here is the basic vocabulary.
schedule 4 min
palette 8 colors
1
Basic colors
The main colors
wèwé
black
wéwé
white
vɔvɔ
red
vɔvɔ xɛ́gò
yellow
àmà xɛ́gò
green
jǐxwé xɛ́gò
(sky) blue
2
Description
Describing with colors
Avɔ̀ vɔvɔ
A red wrapper cloth
Xwé wéwé
A white house
Nukún tòwè ɖi wèwé
Your eyes are black
Sìnmɛ̀Color
ÐiTo look like
Nyɔ̆ɖòBeautiful
3
Symbolism
Colors and culture
Colors in Benin
In Fon culture, some colors have a spiritual meaning. White (wéwé) symbolizes purity and the Vodun Mawu. Red (vɔvɔ) is associated with Sakpata, god of the earth. Black (wèwé) evokes the ancestors and the forces of the night.
Speaking in colors
Knowing the colors means being able to describe, appreciate and understand Beninese cultural codes — from fashion to Vodun ceremonies.
à ≠ ǎ
One tone, and everything changes
Parlons Fongbe Academy
The full course
Reading these words isn’t enough. You have to hear them.
In Fon, the pitch of your voice changes the meaning: à asks a question, ǎ says no. The Academy explains 818 forms, one by one, carried by a native voice — never a word without its meaning.
79 video lessons Native speaker from Cotonou Lifetime access, one payment
Access the course
Site offer · 80 000 instead of50,000 FCFA
One free trial lesson when you sign up.
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