What Language Do They Speak in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has 3 official languages: Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian.
Learn some Bosnian before you go
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Bosnian Phrasebook & Dictionary
The essentials for ordering food, asking directions and being polite.
Languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina at a glance
| Official languages | Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 3 |
| Countries on this site where Bosnian is official | 1 |
| People (demonym) | Bosnian, Herzegovinian |
| Capital | Sarajevo |
| Internet domain | .ba |
Languages of neighbouring countries
| Croatia | Croatian |
|---|---|
| Montenegro | Montenegrin |
| Serbia | Serbian |
Bosnia and Herzegovina in context
- Bosnia and Herzegovina covers 51,209 km², making it the 125th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- Its population density of about 67 people per km² ranks 120th of 196 (1st = most crowded).
- It shares a land border with 3 countries: Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia.
- With 3,422,000 people, Bosnia and Herzegovina holds about 7.5% of the population of Southeast Europe.
- With 3 official languages, Bosnia and Herzegovina has more than most countries on this site.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina is a member state of the United Nations.
Useful phrases for visitors to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Everyday Bosnian phrases you will hear and use in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
| English | Bosnian |
|---|---|
| Hello | Zdravo |
| Thank you | Hvala |
| Please | Molim |
| Goodbye | Doviđenja |
| Yes | Da |
| No | Ne |
Everyday Croatian phrases you will hear and use in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
| English | Croatian |
|---|---|
| Hello | Bok |
| Thank you | Hvala |
| Please | Molim |
| Goodbye | Doviđenja |
| Yes | Da |
| No | Ne |
Spellings can vary by region, and some languages use different forms for formal or informal speech. Even a simple greeting in the local language is usually appreciated.
Languages in Bosnia and Herzegovina — FAQ
What language do they speak in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
The official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina are Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian.
How many official languages does Bosnia and Herzegovina have?
Bosnia and Herzegovina has 3 official languages: Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian.
Is Bosnian spoken anywhere else?
Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only country on this site where Bosnian is an official language.
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