translate Grammar
SVO structure in Fon
Like English, fɔ̀ngbè strictly follows Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order. This regularity makes building sentences much easier.
Subject-Verb-Object (SVO)
In Fon, the order is always: Who does what to whom/what. It is the most natural structure for an English speaker.
Subject pronouns always go before the verb:
Questions and negations
To ask a question, you add a particle at the end of the sentence:
For the negative, you frame the verb with má and ǎ :
Your turn to build
Try building these sentences in Fon by combining pronouns + verbs + objects:
E.g.: “We see the house” Mǐ mɔ̀ xwé ɔ́
The front door
Mastering SVO unlocks the essentials of fɔ̀ngbè. By combining 50 verbs and 100 vocabulary words, you can build thousands of sentences.
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- 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