Bénin
/be.nɛ̃/masculine
Bénin is the French word for the country Benin.
Meaning: country (name)
How does it change in a sentence?
Bénin is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables: /be.nɛ̃/.
Did you know?
- The name of the country Bénin is actually a Portuguese loanword, derived from the Portuguese word Benim.
- While Bénin refers to the West African nation, the adjective bénin describes something harmless or non-threatening, such as a 'bénin' injury.
- In French, the name Bénin refers to a modern republic, but it is historically distinct from the ancient Benin Empire, which was centered in what is now Nigeria.
Examples in context
- Je voyage au Bénin demain.I am traveling to Benin tomorrow.
- Hier, j'ai rencontré un Béninois très sympathique.Yesterday, I met a very friendly person from Benin.
- Le Bénin est un pays d'Afrique.Benin is a country in Africa.
- Je vais visiter le Bénin bientôt.I am going to visit Benin soon.
- Le Bénin possède une culture riche.Benin has a rich culture.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are discussing travel plans.
- GabrielOù veux-tu aller cet été ?Where do you want to go this summer?
- LéaJe rêve d'aller au Bénin.I dream of going to Benin.
- GabrielC'est un excellent choix, Léa !That is an excellent choice, Léa!
- LéaMerci Gabriel, j'ai hâte.Thank you Gabriel, I can't wait.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “benin” translations and entries Bénin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Bénin, bénin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
