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The house in Fon

Kitchen, bedroom, living room: here is the fɔ̀ngbè vocabulary to describe your home. Useful for talking to a tradesman, pointing out a room, or learning everyday words.

schedule 5 min
signal_cellular_alt Beginner
1
Home

Type of housing

XwéHome
HwlànCompound (family courtyard)
ApartementApartment (from French)
BungalowBungalow
AwúnxwéHotel
2
Rooms

The rooms of the house

Xò mɛLiving room (lit. in the courtyard)
Mlɔ́nzɔ̌nzɔ́nRoom
Nù-ɖùxwéKitchen
Sìnnu / WCToilet (French variant)
BathroomBathroom (from French)
Cour / kpɛ́tinInner courtyard
Mlɔ́nzɔ̌nzɔ́n ce
My bedroom

These words spoken by a native speaker: Parlons Fongbe Academy — 79 video lessons with a native speaker.Discover

3
Furniture

Objects and furniture

ZinkpoChair
TavoloTable (Portuguese loanword)
Zɔ́nzɔ́nBed
HùnDrum / chest
KannanCooking pot
Atɔ́nKnife
tips_and_updates

Tip

Many furniture words come from Portuguese (19th-century Brazilian traders) or from French. Don’t be surprised to hear tavolo or kazu (hut).

At home in Fon

With this vocabulary, you can describe any room or object in the house. Essential for dealing with tradespeople and household staff.

à ≠ ǎ
One tone, and everything changes
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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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