What Language Do They Speak in Namibia?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
Namibia has 9 official languages: Afrikaans, English, German, Herero, Khoekhoe, Kwangali, Lozi, Ndonga, Tswana. Afrikaans is also an official language in 1 other country worldwide.
Learn some Afrikaans before you go
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Afrikaans Phrasebook & Dictionary
The essentials for ordering food, asking directions and being polite.
Languages of Namibia at a glance
| Official languages | Afrikaans, English, German, Herero, Khoekhoe, Kwangali, Lozi, Ndonga, Tswana |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 9 |
| Countries on this site where Afrikaans is official | 2 |
| People (demonym) | Namibian |
| Capital | Windhoek |
| Internet domain | .na |
Other countries where Afrikaans is official
Afrikaans is also an official language in 1 other country covered here:
Languages of neighbouring countries
| Angola | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| Botswana | Tswana, English |
| South Africa | Zulu, Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa |
| Zambia | English |
Namibia in context
- Namibia covers 825,615 km², making it the 33rd largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- Its population density of about 4 people per km² ranks 193rd of 196 (1st = most crowded).
- It shares a land border with 4 countries: Angola, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia.
- With 3,022,401 people, Namibia holds about 3.4% of the population of Southern Africa.
- With 9 official languages, Namibia has more than most countries on this site.
- Traffic drives on the left, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- Namibia is a member state of the United Nations.
Compare Namibia
Useful phrases for visitors to Namibia
Everyday Afrikaans phrases you will hear and use in Namibia:
| English | Afrikaans |
|---|---|
| Hello | Hallo |
| Thank you | Dankie |
| Please | Asseblief |
| Goodbye | Totsiens |
| Yes | Ja |
| No | Nee |
Everyday German phrases you will hear and use in Namibia:
| English | German |
|---|---|
| Hello | Hallo |
| Thank you | Danke |
| Please | Bitte |
| Goodbye | Auf Wiedersehen |
| Yes | Ja |
| No | Nein |
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 Namibia — FAQ
What language do they speak in Namibia?
The official languages of Namibia are Afrikaans, English, German, Herero, Khoekhoe, Kwangali, Lozi, Ndonga and Tswana.
How many official languages does Namibia have?
Namibia has 9 official languages: Afrikaans, English, German, Herero, Khoekhoe, Kwangali, Lozi, Ndonga, Tswana.
Is Afrikaans spoken anywhere else?
Afrikaans is also an official language in 1 other country.
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