What Language Do They Speak in Kazakhstan?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
Kazakhstan has 2 official languages: Kazakh, Russian.
Learn some Kazakh before you go
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Kazakh Phrasebook & Dictionary
The essentials for ordering food, asking directions and being polite.
Languages of Kazakhstan at a glance
| Official languages | Kazakh, Russian |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 2 |
| Countries on this site where Kazakh is official | 1 |
| People (demonym) | Kazakhstani |
| Capital | Astana |
| Internet domain | .kz |
Languages of neighbouring countries
| China | Chinese |
|---|---|
| Kyrgyzstan | Kyrgyz, Russian |
| Russia | Russian |
| Turkmenistan | Turkmen, Russian |
| Uzbekistan | Uzbek, Russian |
Kazakhstan in context
- Kazakhstan covers 2,724,900 km², making it the 9th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- Its population density of about 7 people per km² ranks 186th of 196 (1st = most crowded).
- It shares a land border with 5 countries: China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.
- Kazakhstan is landlocked, with no direct coastline.
- With 20,426,568 people, Kazakhstan holds about 24.6% of the population of Central Asia.
- With 2 official languages, Kazakhstan has more than most countries on this site.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- Kazakhstan is a member state of the United Nations.
Compare Kazakhstan
Useful phrases for visitors to Kazakhstan
Everyday Russian phrases you will hear and use in Kazakhstan:
| English | Russian |
|---|---|
| Hello | Здравствуйте (Zdravstvuyte) |
| Thank you | Спасибо (Spasibo) |
| Please | Пожалуйста (Pozhaluysta) |
| Goodbye | До свидания (Do svidaniya) |
| Yes | Да (Da) |
| No | Нет (Nyet) |
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 Kazakhstan — FAQ
What language do they speak in Kazakhstan?
The official languages of Kazakhstan are Kazakh and Russian.
How many official languages does Kazakhstan have?
Kazakhstan has 2 official languages: Kazakh, Russian.
Is Kazakh spoken anywhere else?
Kazakhstan is the only country on this site where Kazakh is an official language.
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