Language/Fon/Grammar/Negation
Hi Fon learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about negation in Fon. Negation is the process of expressing the opposite of a statement or action. We will also learn how to use some common words that express negation in Fon.
Don't miss the chance to check out these pages as you wrap up this lesson: How to Use "Be", Questions & Adjectives.
Basic Negation[edit | edit source]
Negation in Fon follows the structure:
verb + negative particle + object or other elements
The negative particle in Fon is "nun" or "nin". "Nun" is used with verbs that start with a vowel or "y", while "nin" is used with verbs that start with a consonant.
Some examples:
| Fon | English |
|---|---|
| Má wɛ̀. | I'm not interested. |
| Nùn yá ghɔtó. | They're not coming. |
| Nín tú kátàgà. | He's not eating rice. |
Negative Words[edit | edit source]
Apart from the negative particles, there are other words that express negation in Fon. For example, we have:
- Tɔ̀ / Otɔ̀: No / Not
- Zẹ̀ / Azẹ̀: Without / Not with
- Nú: Neither / None
Some examples:
| Fon | English |
|---|---|
| Tɔ̀ mɛ̌ji bólí. | No one bought a car. |
| Azẹ̀ nú kà. | They drank neither beer nor wine. |
| Múɖímé, nú zẹ̀ nú kúnɔ́mɔ̀. | My friend is without a phone. |
Double Negation[edit | edit source]
In Fon, it is possible to use a double negative to express a positive statement. This is a common feature in many African languages.
For example:
| Fon | English |
|---|---|
| Nín kí jìn. | He didn't eat. |
| Nín kí jìn nú bɔ̀. | He didn't eat nothing / He ate. |
Dialogue[edit | edit source]
Person 1: Má bísín nùn nshíkéjì kú. (I don't want to go to the market.) Person 2: Ìyà tì nùn? (Why not?) Person 1: Má kpasɔ̀. (I'm tired.)
Cultural Notes[edit | edit source]
The Fon people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Benin and also found in some parts of Nigeria and Togo. The Fon language is widely spoken in Benin and many people in neighboring countries. Fon is a tonal language and has been written since the late 19th century using the Latin alphabet.
Practice[edit | edit source]
To improve your Fon Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!