What Language Do They Speak in Rwanda?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
Rwanda has 3 official languages: Kinyarwanda, English, French.
Learn some Kinyarwanda before you go
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Languages of Rwanda at a glance
| Official languages | Kinyarwanda, English, French |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 3 |
| Countries on this site where Kinyarwanda is official | 1 |
| People (demonym) | Rwandan |
| Capital | Kigali |
| Internet domain | .rw |
Languages of neighbouring countries
| Burundi | Kirundi, French |
|---|---|
| DR Congo | French, Kikongo, Lingala, Swahili, Tshiluba |
| Tanzania | Swahili, English |
| Uganda | English, Swahili |
Rwanda in context
- Rwanda covers 26,338 km², making it the 144th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- Its population density of about 536 people per km² ranks 14th of 196 (1st = most crowded).
- It shares a land border with 4 countries: Burundi, DR Congo, Tanzania, Uganda.
- Rwanda is landlocked, with no direct coastline.
- With 14,104,969 people, Rwanda holds about 3.2% of the population of Eastern Africa.
- With 3 official languages, Rwanda has more than most countries on this site.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- Rwanda is a member state of the United Nations.
Compare Rwanda
Useful phrases for visitors to Rwanda
Everyday Kinyarwanda phrases you will hear and use in Rwanda:
| English | Kinyarwanda |
|---|---|
| Hello | Muraho |
| Thank you | Murakoze |
| Please | Ndakwinginze |
| Goodbye | Murabeho |
| Yes | Yego |
| No | Oya |
Everyday French phrases you will hear and use in Rwanda:
| 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 Rwanda — FAQ
What language do they speak in Rwanda?
The official languages of Rwanda are Kinyarwanda, English and French.
How many official languages does Rwanda have?
Rwanda has 3 official languages: Kinyarwanda, English, French.
Is Kinyarwanda spoken anywhere else?
Rwanda is the only country on this site where Kinyarwanda is an official language.
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