Greetings That State the Obvious:
As stated on the page The Most Important Greetings, greetings are very important and people spend much time and energy greeting each other. There are tons of greetings. One thing they often do is, observe what you are doing, and then ask you what you are doing, just to make conversation. No one reacts sarcastically as Westerners would. Another way the Beninese greet is to observe what you are doing and they will wish you well in what you are doing.
.Wav Files: 
A do fine a?...Eeen, un do fi.- Are you here? Yes, I'm here. This is the quintessential example of a greeting that states the obvious. If you asked a Westerner, "Are you here?" He'd look at you in disbelief and give you a very sarcastic response. In Benin, this is a very common greeting. It is also used during lulls of conversations used as a filler. This phrase is perfect during those awkward silences.
Un do fi ã. - No, I'm not here. This is what I would say sometimes in response to the the above. They always just chuckled.
A damlo gangi a?...Eeen, Un damlo gangi. - Did you sleep well? ...Yes, I slept well.
A damlo kpede a?...Eeen, Un damlo kpede - Did you sleep a little? .... Yes, I slept a little. It's so hot in the afternoon that most people take naps every day from about 1-3 or 4. I sure miss taking naps!
A de u wa?...Eeen, Un de u.- Are you in the process of doing something? ... Yes, I'm in the process of doing something. - It doesn't matter what you're doing. If you're doing something, you can say, "Eeen, Un de u."
A do xwegbe a?...Een, un do xwegbe. - Are you at home?... Yes, I'm at home.
A fon a?...Een, Un fon. - Did you wake up? ... Yes, I woke up.
A fon bi a?...Eeen, un fon bi. - Did you wake up completely?...Yes, I woke up completely.
A sa nu kpede a? - Did you sell a little? This is something you'd say to someone you're buying something from. They will usually answer honestly and say either (see below)
Eeen, Un sa nu kpede- Yes, I sold a little or...
Eho, Un sa nu ti ã.- No, I haven't sold anything.
A wa fi dokpo a? - Did you come here one time? Answer- Eeen, un wa fi dokpo.
A wa ne a?...Eeen, Un wa. - Did you come here?...Yes, I came here.
A wazo kpede a? - Did you work a little? Answer- Eeen, Un wazo kpede.
Kud'afo,...ooooOOOO - I wish you well in the fact you're walking. (Literally "good footing") ooooOOOO (simply means- I acknowledge your greeting.)
Kud'ali,...ooooOOOO- Bon Voyage... I acknowledge your greeting. (Literally- "good road")
Kudayijinon,...ooooOOOO - Good sitting... I acknowledge your greeting. - This is another filler for awkward moments like "A do fine a?"
Kudo Ji - I wish you well in the fact that it is raining. (Literally - "good rain")
Fon Related Pages: Home About Fon Help on Listening to .WAV Files The Most Important Greetings Greetings that State the Obvious Basic Phrases Questions Grammar and Pronunciation Useful Vocabulary Fon for Peace Corps Volunteers Voodoo The Final Test
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