What Language Do They Speak in Republic of the Congo?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
Republic of the Congo has 3 official languages: French, Kikongo, Lingala. French is also an official language in 30 other countries worldwide.
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Languages of Republic of the Congo at a glance
| Official languages | French, Kikongo, Lingala |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 3 |
| Countries on this site where French is official | 31 |
| People (demonym) | Congolese |
| Capital | Brazzaville |
| Internet domain | .cg |
Other countries where French is official
French is also an official language in 30 other countries covered here:
- Belgium
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Comoros
- DR Congo
- Djibouti
- Equatorial Guinea
- France
- Gabon
- Guinea
- Haiti
- Ivory Coast
- Lebanon
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Mali
- Mauritius
- Monaco
- Niger
…and 6 more.
Languages of neighbouring countries
| Angola | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| Cameroon | French, English |
| Central African Republic | Sango, French |
| DR Congo | French, Kikongo, Lingala, Swahili, Tshiluba |
| Gabon | French |
Republic of the Congo in context
- Republic of the Congo covers 342,000 km², making it the 65th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- Its population density of about 18 people per km² ranks 173rd of 196 (1st = most crowded).
- It shares a land border with 5 countries: Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Gabon.
- With 6,142,180 people, Republic of the Congo holds about 2.7% of the population of Middle Africa.
- With 3 official languages, Republic of the Congo has more than most countries on this site.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- Republic of the Congo is a member state of the United Nations.
Useful phrases for visitors to Republic of the Congo
Everyday French phrases you will hear and use in Republic of the Congo:
| English | French |
|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjour |
| Thank you | Merci |
| Please | S'il vous plaît |
| Goodbye | Au revoir |
| Yes | Oui |
| No | Non |
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 Republic of the Congo — FAQ
What language do they speak in Republic of the Congo?
The official languages of Republic of the Congo are French, Kikongo and Lingala.
How many official languages does Republic of the Congo have?
Republic of the Congo has 3 official languages: French, Kikongo, Lingala.
Is French spoken anywhere else?
French is also an official language in 30 other countries.
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