The Most Important Fon Greetings

The phrases on this web site are in no particular order except that they try to relate to the theme of the page. I chose words and phrases that I thought were interesting, useful and fun. To learn the vocabulary for the below phrases, click here to open a new browser window which will open the Useful Vocabulary page. You can search specific words by using Ctrl + F. Keep the browser window with the "Useful Vocabulary" page open along with the current page you're using so you can toggle back to the vocabulary page when you need to refer to it. You can also print the vocabulary list quick to use as a reference. See Basic Grammar and Pronunciation so you understand how the sentences are put together and practice the pronunciation of specific sounds.

About Greetings: In Benin most people are very poor. They have very few material objects and little money, but they have plenty of time. Because the Beninese have so much time, they spend much of it in leisurely conversation. Interpersonal relationships are very important, and they spend a great deal of time greeting each other "correctement," (properly) even if they see each other quite often. Few people are in a hurry and would find the rushed Western style of greeting like, "Hi How are you? I'm fine thanks," quite rude and aloof. A proper greeting would include no less that three or four phrases. If it looks like the Beninese state the obvious in their greetings, well... you are absolutely correct! Actually I have dedicated a whole web page to this topic: Greetings that State the Obvious . As you can see there is a plethora of greetings to chose from. Actually the possibilities are endless and there is plenty of room to be creative.

Azan yi Aton,... Dokpo je ji. - It has been three days...and one more. You would say this when you meet someone that you have not seen in a while. You would say in the figurative sense that it has been three days since you saw the person, and because the other person naturally perceives it as a longer time than three days because they missed you, will say "and one more."

Kudazo- Good work. You can say it to anyone who is showing the slightest semblance of working as a greeting, not necessarily to comment on the quality of their work.

oooooOOOOO- The response to Kudazo, Kwabo, and many other greetings that aren't questions or any greeting that starts with "kudo." It simply means, I acknowledge your greeting.

A blo kpede a?- Did you do a little?- Did you a do a little of anything. You really have to had done absolutely nothing to say, "No, I haven't done anything."

Wa du nu, bo du nu- Come eat / no, go ahead and eat- There is a great cultural expectation to share what ever you have with friends and family so if you pass someone you know who is eating, it is polite for him or her to invite you to eat with them, even if they don't have a lot of food at the moment. People in Benin live outside and almost always eat outside, so there are always people passing by. I always suspected wa du nu was only a gesture and not meant seriously. The response is usually "bo du nu"- No that's okay- you go ahead and eat" I did take them up a few times on their offer, I sat down and dug in. You have to use your personal judgment whether or not it is a true invitation. If you're eating and you say "wa du nu," to someone, be ready to share. If you don't invite others while you're eating, people may think you're stingy.

Yovo!- Whitey!- This is the word that makes every PCV's skin shrivel and their blood curdle. Need I say more? Most people think it's cute in the beginning, but after a while it gets old, real fast. People call you Yovo constantly. Even African American Volunteers get called Yovo because the Beninese know they are from "Yovo tome," and may have lighter skin than they do. Yovo tome literally means "the land of the white people," and shows how some uneducated Beninese think that all white people come from the same place. Surprisingly the Beninese even call other Beninese Yovo who have slightly lighter skin than the average. For them it is a status symbol and a sign of beauty to have lighter skin. The use of the word Yovo begins to feel disrespectful, especially when it is said in a taunting way and when little kids sing the Yovo song (see below) at the top of their lungs when they see you coming. The Beninese are very friendly and like Westerners, but they can't help but remark that you are white, and are different. I have been called Yovo by many educated Beninese people as well. They do it out of ignorance and a lack of understanding and not out of animosity. The Beninese are by far the most friendly people I've ever met despite this annoying habit of theirs. Most African ethnic groups have their own word for white people such as Batoure in northern Benin and Anisara which is Arabic and used in many parts of Africa where Islam is a dominant religion.

Yovo Yovo Bon soir, Ca va bien, Merci- This is French and means : "Whitey, Whitey, Good evening, How are you? Thanks". This is the above mentioned song that the kids sing, and it will drive you insane if you stay in Benin for a few months because you will hear it so much. If it doesn't drive you batty, you deserve a medal!! I think the song is also poking fun at the brief way in which the French greet people with, "Bon soir, Ça va bien?...Oui, ça va bien. Merci. Translated means: "Good Day. How are you? I'm fine, thanks." I suppose these were the first words of French that the Beninese learned and it stuck. See my note about the way the Beninese normally greet each other to understand why they think this is funny. Greetings that State the Obvious and About Greetings (above) to see why the Beninese would find this a strange way to greet people.

Un no nyi Yovo ã- My name is not Yovo. - This is the easiest and most polite way to tell people not to call you Yovo.

Un no nyi ....Clistofu- My name is Christopher. In Fon there is no "R" sound so they pronounce it as an "L" and the "er" becomes "u"

Famille towelo, ye do gangi a? And your family, are they well?

Eeen, familleche do gangi.- Yes, my family is doing well.