What Language Do They Speak in Somalia?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
Somalia has 2 official languages: Somali, Arabic.
Learn some Somali before you go
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Somali Phrasebook & Dictionary
The essentials for ordering food, asking directions and being polite.
Languages of Somalia at a glance
| Official languages | Somali, Arabic |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 2 |
| Countries on this site where Somali is official | 1 |
| People (demonym) | Somali |
| Capital | Mogadishu |
| Internet domain | .so |
Languages of neighbouring countries
Somalia in context
- Somalia covers 637,657 km², making it the 41st largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- Its population density of about 31 people per km² ranks 150th of 196 (1st = most crowded).
- It shares a land border with 3 countries: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya.
- With 19,655,000 people, Somalia holds about 4.5% of the population of Eastern Africa.
- With 2 official languages, Somalia has more than most countries on this site.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- Somalia is a member state of the United Nations.
Useful phrases for visitors to Somalia
Everyday Somali phrases you will hear and use in Somalia:
| English | Somali |
|---|---|
| Hello | Salaan |
| Thank you | Mahadsanid |
| Please | Fadlan |
| Goodbye | Nabadgelyo |
| Yes | Haa |
| No | Maya |
Everyday Arabic phrases you will hear and use in Somalia:
| English | Arabic |
|---|---|
| Hello | مرحبا (marhaba) |
| Thank you | شكرا (shukran) |
| Please | من فضلك (min fadlak) |
| Goodbye | مع السلامة (ma'a as-salama) |
| Yes | نعم (na'am) |
| No | لا (la) |
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 Somalia — FAQ
What language do they speak in Somalia?
The official languages of Somalia are Somali and Arabic.
How many official languages does Somalia have?
Somalia has 2 official languages: Somali, Arabic.
Is Somali spoken anywhere else?
Somalia is the only country on this site where Somali is an official language.
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