restaurant Audio dialogues
At the restaurant in Fon
Whether in a maquis (street eatery) in Cotonou or an upscale restaurant, here is a model dialogue for ordering a meal in fɔ̀ngbè and enjoying Beninese cuisine.
schedule 5 min
signal_cellular_alt Intermediate
1
Card
Asking for the menu
Un ba carte
I’d like the menu
CardMenu (borrowed from French)
Etɛ ɖè ɖíè ?What is there?
SpecialtySpecialty (borrowed from French)
Plat ɖaxóMain course
DrinkDrink (borrowed from French)
2
Ordering
Ordering a dish
Un ba akpan kpó atáI want akpan + sauce
Amiwɔ wǐnAmiwɔ with fish
AkassaWhite corn dough
AtínkpoCassava dough
Wɔ̀Yam / pounded yam
SodabiLocal spirit
Un ba amiwɔ kpó wǐn
I want amiwɔ with fish
3
The bill
Paying and complimenting
The billBill (borrowed from French)
Nabí wɛ ?How much?
É vívɛ́n tawùnIt was delicious
Un dó kúThank you
TipTip (borrowed from French)
Tip
In Benin, saying “É vívɛ́n tawùn” (it was delicious) to the cook brings a big smile. Better than a plain “good” — it expresses real satisfaction.
Eating in Fon
With this vocabulary, you can order and enjoy a meal like a local. Beninese cuisine + Fon vocabulary = the complete experience.
A fɔn ganji à ?
« Did you wake up well? » — lesson 1, free
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Go further
- Getting started in Fon: the 4-step method — tones, first words, resources
- 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