What Language Do They Speak in DR Congo?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
DR Congo has 5 official languages: French, Kikongo, Lingala, Swahili, Tshiluba. French is also an official language in 30 other countries worldwide.
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Languages of DR Congo at a glance
| Official languages | French, Kikongo, Lingala, Swahili, Tshiluba |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 5 |
| Countries on this site where French is official | 31 |
| People (demonym) | Congolese |
| Capital | Kinshasa |
| Internet domain | .cd |
Other countries where French is official
French is also an official language in 30 other countries covered here:
- Belgium
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Comoros
- Djibouti
- Equatorial Guinea
- France
- Gabon
- Guinea
- Haiti
- Ivory Coast
- Lebanon
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Mali
- Mauritius
- Monaco
- Niger
- Republic of the Congo
…and 6 more.
Languages of neighbouring countries
| Angola | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| Burundi | Kirundi, French |
| Central African Republic | Sango, French |
| Republic of the Congo | French, Kikongo, Lingala |
| Rwanda | Kinyarwanda, English, French |
| South Sudan | English |
| Tanzania | Swahili, English |
| Uganda | English, Swahili |
| Zambia | English |
DR Congo in context
- DR Congo covers 2,344,858 km², making it the 11th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- Its population density of about 48 people per km² ranks 136th of 196 (1st = most crowded).
- It shares a land border with 9 countries: Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia.
- With 112,832,000 people, DR Congo holds about 48.9% of the population of Middle Africa.
- With 5 official languages, DR Congo has more than most countries on this site.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- DR Congo is a member state of the United Nations.
Useful phrases for visitors to DR Congo
Everyday French phrases you will hear and use in DR Congo:
| English | French |
|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjour |
| Thank you | Merci |
| Please | S'il vous plaît |
| Goodbye | Au revoir |
| Yes | Oui |
| No | Non |
Everyday Swahili phrases you will hear and use in DR Congo:
| English | Swahili |
|---|---|
| Hello | Habari |
| Thank you | Asante |
| Please | Tafadhali |
| Goodbye | Kwaheri |
| Yes | Ndiyo |
| No | Hapana |
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 DR Congo — FAQ
What language do they speak in DR Congo?
The official languages of DR Congo are French, Kikongo, Lingala, Swahili and Tshiluba.
How many official languages does DR Congo have?
DR Congo has 5 official languages: French, Kikongo, Lingala, Swahili, Tshiluba.
Is French spoken anywhere else?
French is also an official language in 30 other countries.
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