pin_drop Grammar made simple

Demonstratives in Fon

To say “this book”, “this house” or “these children” in fɔ̀ngbè, you use élɔ́ (near) or kɛ́ (far) placed after the noun. Here is the complete rule.

schedule 4 min
signal_cellular_alt Intermediate
1
Near

élɔ́ — this/these (here)

To point to an object close to the speaker:

Wemá élɔ́This book (here)
Xwé élɔ́This house
Vǐ élɔ́This child
Mɔ̀to élɔ́This car
Wemá élɔ́ nyɔ́
This book is good
2
Far

kɛ́ — that/those (over there)

For an object farther away:

Wemá kɛ́That book (over there)
Xwé kɛ́That house (over there)
Mɛ̌ kɛ́ ?That person (over there)?

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3
Plural

With “lɛ̀” for the plural

For the plural, add lɛ̀ after the demonstrative:

Wemá élɔ́ lɛ̀These books (here)
Vǐ kɛ́ lɛ̀Those children (over there)
Mángò élɔ́ lɛ̀These mangoes
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Simple rule

Structure: [noun] + [élɔ́/kɛ́] + [lɛ̀ for plural]. The demonstrative always comes after the noun — like possessives.

2 demonstratives + 1 plural marker

élɔ́ (near), kɛ́ (far), lɛ̀ (plural) — three little words that cover all spatial deixis in Fon.

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