Doucement

It occurred to me last night that there has been a gaping hole in my explanation of Beninese lexicology: the word “Doucement.”

Doucement is the catch-all word of Beninese French. Translated directly into English, it means sweetly. However, there is no one English word that encompasses of its uses.

In actual usage, it my be closest to “Pardon” or “Excuse me.” For example, if you accidently bump someone on the street, “Doucement” is the polite reply. The tone varies slightly but it is difficult to tell whether a person is apologizing for putting you in a situation or blaming you for their situation. 

Loosely, but better translated, “doucement” is also like “carefully.” For example, if you want to tell your motorcycle taxi to drive slower. Usage as “careful” is also accepted. If someone is carrying something breakable or precarious, such as a full bucket of water on his or her head.

An even looser translation is doucement’s usage as “watch out.” For example, when crossing the street, say, “doucement” as a bush taxi or rogue goat runs in front of you.

My favorite is to use doucement to mean closest to “fuck-off.” In these circumstances, it is usually followed by “eh?”. This is normally spoken to you when you are the cause of some incident. For example, you run into a Maman and she drops all the pineapples she’s carrying.

And finally, doucement as the phrase you say when you don’t know what else to say. You don’t really understand what just happened, but a ruckus has occurred. Saying “doucement” will help you appear like you do actually know what you’re doing.

So, you know. Doucement friends. Doucement.