What Language Do They Speak in Brunei?

Official language of Brunei Malay

Facts last checked 9 October 2026.

The official language of Brunei is Malay. Malay is also an official language in 2 other countries worldwide.

Learn some Malay before you go

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We are also a member of the CJ Affiliate and AWIN affiliate networks. Links below are affiliate links.

AMAZON

Malay Phrasebook & Dictionary
The essentials for ordering food, asking directions and being polite.

Check Price →

AMAZON

Learn Malay for Beginners
A structured course book to go beyond the basics.

Check Price →

Languages of Brunei at a glance

Official language	Malay
Number of official languages	1
Countries on this site where Malay is official	3
People (demonym)	Bruneian
Capital	Bandar Seri Begawan
Internet domain	.bn

Other countries where Malay is official

Malay is also an official language in 2 other countries covered here:

Languages of neighbouring countries

Malaysia	Malay, English

Brunei in context

Brunei covers 5,765 km², making it the 165th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
Its population density of about 79 people per km² ranks 107th of 196 (1st = most crowded).
It shares a land border with 1 country: Malaysia.
With 455,500 people, Brunei holds about 0.1% of the population of South-Eastern Asia.
Traffic drives on the left, and calendars start the week on Monday.
Brunei is a member state of the United Nations.

Useful phrases for visitors to Brunei

Everyday Malay phrases you will hear and use in Brunei:

English	Malay
Hello	Helo
Thank you	Terima kasih
Please	Tolong
Goodbye	Selamat tinggal
Yes	Ya
No	Tidak

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 Brunei — FAQ