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Fon survival kit: 35 phrases for traveling in Benin (free PDF)
Heading to Benin? Here are 35 Fon phrases to greet people, make yourself understood, find your way, bargain, and ask for help. They all come from our course, and everything fits in a free PDF.
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Take it with you
The kit as a PDF, to print or keep on your phone
All the phrases on this page, on a two-page sheet, no sign-up required.
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6 phrases
Greeting
In Benin, people greet each other before asking for anything. Starting with a greeting changes the welcome you get, especially in Fon.
| In Fon | In English |
|---|---|
| A fɔn ganji à ? | Good morning: « Did you wake up well? » |
| Kú dó hwemɛ. | Good day (around noon) |
| Kú dó gbada. | Good evening |
| Nɛ a ɖe gbɔn ? | How are you? |
| E ɖabɔ. | Goodbye |
| E yi sɔ. | See you tomorrow |
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3 phrases
Getting to know people
These are the three questions you’ll be asked. Recognizing them already means you can follow the conversation.
| In Fon | In English |
|---|---|
| Nɛ a nɔ nyi ? | What’s your name? |
| Fitɛ a gosin ? | Where are you from? |
| Azɔ tɛ a nɔ wa ? | What work do you do? |
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5 phrases
Making yourself understood
The most useful of all. With them, you can keep talking even when you’re lost.
| In Fon | In English |
|---|---|
| Un mɔ nu jɛ mɛ ǎ | I don’t understand |
| Ɖɔ xó dede. | Speak slowly |
| Lɛ vɔ ɖɔ. | Say it again |
| Kɛnklɛn. | Please |
| Ooh. | Thank you |
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6 phrases
Asking for directions
Above all, learn the answers: those are what you’ll hear.
| In Fon | In English |
|---|---|
| Fitɛ dotoxwe ɔ ɖe ? | Where is the clinic? |
| Fitɛ yɛhwexɔ ɔ ɖe ? | Where is the church? |
| Gbɔn trele. | Go straight ahead |
| Zɛ ɖo ɖisixwe. | Turn right |
| Zɛ ɖo amyɔxwe. | Turn left |
| Zɛ axi ɔ wu. | Go past the market |
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5 phrases
At the market
Bargaining is part of the exchange. Do it with a smile.
| In Fon | In English |
|---|---|
| Nabi sà yi ? | How much are you selling it for? |
| E vɛ axi din. | That’s expensive! |
| Na mi cɛnji. | Give me the change |
| Kú dó akwɛ. | Thanks for the money |
| Eo, awanu. | No, thank you |
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6 phrases
Needs and health
In Fon, you say literally what the body goes through: hunger grabs you, rather than you having it.
| In Fon | In English |
|---|---|
| Xovɛ sin mi. | I’m hungry |
| Kɔ xu mi. | I’m thirsty |
| Na mi sin. | Give me some water |
| Nu cikɔ nu mi. | I’m tired |
| Ta ɖò ɖuɖu mì wɛ. | I have a headache |
| Xomɛ ɖò wliwli mì wɛ. | I have a stomachache |
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4 phrases
Emergencies
Good to know before you leave, hoping you’ll never need them.
| In Fon | In English |
|---|---|
| Mi wa d’alɔ mi ! | Help! Come help me! |
| Ajotɔ ɖie ! | Thief! |
| Ylɔ doto nu mi. | Call the doctor for me |
| Kɛnklɛn kpla mi yi dotoxwe. | Please take me to the hospital |
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On the ground
Three habits that open doors
Greet first. A request without a greeting goes down badly, whatever the language.
Adjust to the time of day. The morning greeting is no longer used at noon.
Give it a try, even badly. A hesitant sentence in Fon pleases people more than perfect French: it’s often how a conversation begins.
To go further
Prepare what comes next with the 102 essential words and how to learn Fon before you leave.
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Frequently asked questions
Your questions before you leave
Is French enough to travel in Benin? In the cities, French will get you understood: it’s the official language. But a few Fon phrases change the welcome you get, especially in the South and at markets.
Where is Fon spoken in Benin? Mainly in the South and the center: Cotonou, Abomey, Ouidah. See the languages of Benin.
Is the PDF really free? Yes, no sign-up required. Print it or keep it on your phone.
How do you pronounce these phrases? Fon is a tonal language, and writing doesn’t tell you everything. To hear them, the first lesson of our video course is free, with a native speaker from Cotonou.
Have a good trip
Start with “A fɔn ganji à ?”: it’s the one you’ll use every morning. As in the course, tones are marked here only when they distinguish two words.
à ≠ ǎ
One tone, and everything changes
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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.
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Go further
- 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