What Language Do They Speak in India?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
India has 3 official languages: Hindi, English, Tamil.
Learn some Hindi before you go
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Hindi Phrasebook & Dictionary
The essentials for ordering food, asking directions and being polite.
Languages of India at a glance
| Official languages | Hindi, English, Tamil |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 3 |
| Countries on this site where Hindi is official | 1 |
| People (demonym) | Indian |
| Capital | New Delhi |
| Internet domain | .in |
Languages of neighbouring countries
India in context
- India covers 3,287,263 km², making it the 7th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- Its population density of about 431 people per km² ranks 21st of 196 (1st = most crowded).
- It shares a land border with 6 countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, China, Nepal, Pakistan.
- With 1,417,492,000 people, India holds about 70.5% of the population of Southern Asia.
- With 3 official languages, India has more than most countries on this site.
- Traffic drives on the left, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- India is a member state of the United Nations.
Compare India
Useful phrases for visitors to India
Everyday Hindi phrases you will hear and use in India:
| English | Hindi |
|---|---|
| Hello | नमस्ते (namaste) |
| Thank you | धन्यवाद (dhanyavaad) |
| Please | कृपया (kripya) |
| Goodbye | अलविदा (alvida) |
| Yes | हाँ (haan) |
| No | नहीं (nahin) |
Everyday Tamil phrases you will hear and use in India:
| English | Tamil |
|---|---|
| Hello | வணக்கம் (vanakkam) |
| Thank you | நன்றி (nandri) |
| Please | தயவு செய்து (dayavu seydhu) |
| Yes | ஆம் (aam) |
| No | இல்லை (illai) |
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 India — FAQ
What language do they speak in India?
The official languages of India are Hindi, English and Tamil.
How many official languages does India have?
India has 3 official languages: Hindi, English, Tamil.
Is Hindi spoken anywhere else?
India is the only country on this site where Hindi is an official language.
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