What Language Do They Speak in Iraq?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
Iraq has 3 official languages: Arabic, Aramaic, Sorani. Arabic is also an official language in 24 other countries worldwide.
Learn some Arabic before you go
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The essentials for ordering food, asking directions and being polite.
Languages of Iraq at a glance
| Official languages | Arabic, Aramaic, Sorani |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 3 |
| Countries on this site where Arabic is official | 25 |
| People (demonym) | Iraqi |
| Capital | Baghdad |
| Internet domain | .iq |
Other countries where Arabic is official
Arabic is also an official language in 24 other countries covered here:
- Algeria
- Bahrain
- Chad
- Comoros
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Israel
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Oman
- Palestine
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tunisia
- United Arab Emirates
- Yemen
Languages of neighbouring countries
Iraq in context
- Iraq covers 438,317 km², making it the 58th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- Its population density of about 105 people per km² ranks 84th of 196 (1st = most crowded).
- It shares a land border with 6 countries: Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey.
- With 46,118,793 people, Iraq holds about 15.3% of the population of Western Asia.
- With 3 official languages, Iraq has more than most countries on this site.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Sunday.
- Iraq is a member state of the United Nations.
Useful phrases for visitors to Iraq
Everyday Arabic phrases you will hear and use in Iraq:
| English | Arabic |
|---|---|
| Hello | مرحبا (marhaba) |
| Thank you | شكرا (shukran) |
| Please | من فضلك (min fadlak) |
| Goodbye | مع السلامة (ma'a as-salama) |
| Yes | نعم (na'am) |
| No | لا (la) |
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 Iraq — FAQ
What language do they speak in Iraq?
The official languages of Iraq are Arabic, Aramaic and Sorani.
How many official languages does Iraq have?
Iraq has 3 official languages: Arabic, Aramaic, Sorani.
Is Arabic spoken anywhere else?
Arabic is also an official language in 24 other countries.
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