What Language Do They Speak in Sudan?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
Sudan has 2 official languages: Arabic, English. Arabic is also an official language in 24 other countries worldwide.
Learn some Arabic before you go
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Arabic Phrasebook & Dictionary
The essentials for ordering food, asking directions and being polite.
Languages of Sudan at a glance
| Official languages | Arabic, English |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 2 |
| Countries on this site where Arabic is official | 25 |
| People (demonym) | Sudanese |
| Capital | Khartoum |
| Internet domain | .sd |
Other countries where Arabic is official
Arabic is also an official language in 24 other countries covered here:
- Algeria
- Bahrain
- Chad
- Comoros
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Iraq
- Israel
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Oman
- Palestine
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Somalia
- Syria
- Tunisia
- United Arab Emirates
- Yemen
Languages of neighbouring countries
| Central African Republic | Sango, French |
|---|---|
| Chad | Arabic, French |
| Egypt | Arabic |
| Eritrea | Tigrinya, Arabic, English |
| Ethiopia | Amharic |
| Libya | Arabic |
| South Sudan | English |
Sudan in context
- Sudan covers 1,886,068 km², making it the 15th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- Its population density of about 27 people per km² ranks 156th of 196 (1st = most crowded).
- It shares a land border with 7 countries: Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan.
- With 51,662,000 people, Sudan holds about 19.7% of the population of Northern Africa.
- With 2 official languages, Sudan has more than most countries on this site.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- Sudan is a member state of the United Nations.
Useful phrases for visitors to Sudan
Everyday Arabic phrases you will hear and use in Sudan:
| 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 Sudan — FAQ
What language do they speak in Sudan?
The official languages of Sudan are Arabic and English.
How many official languages does Sudan have?
Sudan has 2 official languages: Arabic, English.
Is Arabic spoken anywhere else?
Arabic is also an official language in 24 other countries.
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