What Language Do They Speak in Mozambique?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
The official language of Mozambique is Portuguese. Portuguese is also an official language in 7 other countries worldwide.
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Languages of Mozambique at a glance
| Official language | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 1 |
| Countries on this site where Portuguese is official | 8 |
| People (demonym) | Mozambican |
| Capital | Maputo |
| Internet domain | .mz |
Other countries where Portuguese is official
Portuguese is also an official language in 7 other countries covered here:
Languages of neighbouring countries
| Malawi | Chewa, English |
|---|---|
| South Africa | Zulu, Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa |
| Eswatini | Swazi, English |
| Tanzania | Swahili, English |
| Zambia | English |
| Zimbabwe | Shona, Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Sotho, Tonga, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zimbabwean Sign Language |
Mozambique in context
- Mozambique covers 801,590 km², making it the 34th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- Its population density of about 43 people per km² ranks 144th of 196 (1st = most crowded).
- It shares a land border with 6 countries: Malawi, South Africa, Eswatini, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
- With 34,090,466 people, Mozambique holds about 7.8% of the population of Eastern Africa.
- Traffic drives on the left, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- Mozambique is a member state of the United Nations.
Compare Mozambique
Useful phrases for visitors to Mozambique
Everyday Portuguese phrases you will hear and use in Mozambique:
| English | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| Hello | Olá |
| Thank you | Obrigado (m) / Obrigada (f) |
| Please | Por favor |
| Goodbye | Adeus |
| Yes | Sim |
| No | Não |
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 Mozambique — FAQ
What language do they speak in Mozambique?
The official language of Mozambique is Portuguese.
How many official languages does Mozambique have?
Mozambique has 1 official language: Portuguese.
Is Portuguese spoken anywhere else?
Portuguese is also an official language in 7 other countries.
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