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April 28, 2024
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Traveling to Brussels in the near future? Brussels is located in the heart of Brussels and is a hub of cultural diversity. As you embark on your journey to this historic metropolis, you are about to experience a unique blend of old-world charm and modern vibrancy. As a local, I find that a lot of travelers I meet are confused about what language they should learn when they travel to Belgium. In this post, I’ll explain to you what language is spoken in Brussels and what you should know when traveling to the capital of Europe!
Kunstberg, Brussels
Brussels is known as the capital of Europe because it serves as the de facto capital of the European Union (EU). All of the key institutions of the European Union, like the European parliament, are headquartered in Brussels, making it the center of EU decision-making and administration.
Furthermore is Brussels an attractive city because of its great mix of old and new. You can walk through the cobblestones streets around the Marollen visiting flea markets and vintage shops while also enjoying the modern building of the European Quarter.
Brussels also boasts a vibrant cultural scene and offers an eclectic mix of alternative and fun neighborhoods to enjoy where you can find great bars to try Belgian beer, concert venues, and a large array of traditional, fusion, and vegan restaurants.
Also, when in Brussels, don’t forget to try a Belgian waffle and ofcourse, Belgian fries!
La Grand Place, Brussels
Before we get into what languages are spoken in Brussels, you first need to understand what languages are spoken in the whole of Belgium.
Belgium is a multilingual country with three official languages: Dutch, French, and German. The distribution of these languages varies across different regions of the country.
Now that you know what languages are spoken in Belgium, let’s see what language is spoken in Brussels!
There are no exact numbers as to how many languages are spoken in Brussels. Since the city boasts a multicultural atmosphere, it is not uncommon to hear multiple languages being spoken in various settings, reflecting the diverse nature of the city. Arabic, Turkish, and Spanish are only a few of the languages you’ll hear while walking around in Brussels.
However, the city is officially bilingual, recognizing both French and Dutch as official languages. This means that government institutions, public services, and official documentation are available in both languages.
French is the most commonly spoken language in Brussels and is spoken by about two-thirds of the Brussels residents It is the predominant language used in daily communication, business, and culture.
Dutch is less spoken. About one-third of the Brusselsians speak Dutch as the main language. That, however, doesn’t mean that they are monolingual. A lot of the Belgians living in Brussels know how to explain themselves in both of the official languages.
What language is spoken in Brussels
French is mostly spoken in Brussels making this maybe the most convenient language to learn when traveling to Belgium.
Nevertheless, a curious fact about Brussels is that it is actually completely enclosed in Flanders, the Dutch (or Flemish) speaking part of Belgium.
Throughout its history, Brussels has undergone significant language changes. Initially, the city was predominantly Dutch-speaking, dating back to its establishment in the tenth century and lasting until the eighteenth century. However, a shift occurred in the nineteenth century following Belgium’s independence.
At that point in time, Belgium selected French as its official language resulting in a great transformation of the country. French gradually dominated public life, becoming the language of the courts, administration, army, culture, and media. As the language of choice for the political and economic high class, French gained status and prestige.
As Brussels evolved and became bigger it mainly attracted a French-speaking upper and middle-class crowd coming to live in the city. Because primary and secondary education was exclusively conducted in French, the language gradually trickled through to the lower social classes as well over the years, resulting in the process of Brussels’ “Frenchification.”
Yes, English is widely spoken and understood in Brussels. While French and Dutch are the two official languages of Belgium, many people in Brussels, especially in urban areas and among the younger population, have a good knowledge of the English language.
As the capital of Belgium and the European Union, Brussels also attracts a diverse international community, including diplomats, expatriates, and professionals from around the world. English serves as a common language for communication among this multicultural population.
In addition, English is commonly used in the business and tourism sectors. Many signs, menus, and information boards in popular tourist areas are often available in English, making it easier for you, as a traveler, to navigate the city.
That doesn’t mean, however, that Brussels residents won’t appreciate it if you learn a few sentences of their languages!
Flea Market at het Vossenplein, Brussels
although English is widely spoken in Brussels, here are some sentences and words that can be fun to learn when traveling to Brussels. not only will the locals appreciate it but it also allows you to immerse yourself deeper in the Belgian culture as a conscious traveler.
To open up opportunities for more authentic interactions, here are some essential words and sentences to learn in Dutch!
Here are some useful words in French to learn when traveling to Brussels or the French-speaking part of Belgium!
To finish this post, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about what language is spoken in Brussels.
Brussels is officially bilingual and the capital of Belgium, so both French and Dutch are widely spoken in the city. Brussels used to be a Flemisch city but French gained prominence during the 19th century when Belgium chose French as its official language, resulting is a bilingual city today.
“Flemish” and “Dutch” refer to closely related languages but are not exactly the same thing. Flemish is a variant of the Dutch language spoken in the northern part of Belgium, known as Flanders.
Dutch, on the other hand, is the standard language spoken in the Netherlands, where it is the official language.
While Flemish and Dutch share many similarities and are mutually intelligible, there are some differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and usage. These differences are comparable to the regional variations that exist in any language, such as American English versus British English.
The dominant language spoken in Brussels is French. French is the most widely used language in the city. While French is dominant, Brussels is officially bilingual, recognizing both French and Dutch as official languages.
While English is widely spoken and understood in Brussels, not everyone in the city speaks English fluently.
Brussels is a multicultural and multilingual city, with French and Dutch being the two official languages. Many residents in Brussels are bilingual or even trilingual, speaking both French and Dutch, along with English or other languages.
Most people working in the tourism industry, hospitality, and major attractions will likely have a good knowledge of the English language.
While French is widely spoken in Brussels, not everyone in the city speaks French as their first language or fluently. As a bilingual city, Brussels recognizes both French and Dutch as official languages.
Most of the Dutch-speaking residents get French classes in school so probably know the French language to a certain degree. There is however no obligation to be able to speak both languages in Belgium.
There you go! I hope you enjoyed this article about the languages that are spoken in Brussels. As you can see, the matter is quite complete but that also makes it interesting and fun!
One last thing: if you are looking for a good place to order Belgian fries, ask a local and try to do this in Flemish or French. In French this translate to: “Où se trouve ta friterie préférée ?” or in Flemish: “Waar is uw lievelingsfrietkot?” They will happily guide you to their favorite chip shop!
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or drop me a message through my contact page.
Also, don’t forget to check out my resources page with my favorite booking platforms and tips to start planning your trip. Additionally, have a look at my favorite travel gear if you want to pack more consciously!
ENJOY!
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Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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Supraja Lakshmi N
This is a very interesting and informative post about what language is spoken in Brussels. You have given some great facts and tips on the linguistic diversity and history of the city. I liked how you explained the differences between Flemish and Dutch, and how French became the dominant language in Brussels. Thanks for your useful words and phrases to learn, it will be helpful on my vacation to Brussels.