What Language Do They Speak in Bangladesh?

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Bangladesh

Bangladesh, located in South Asia, is renowned for its lush landscapes and excessive river systems, most notably the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta system. The nation has a rich history that dates back thousands of years and is punctuated by ancient ruins and vibrant cultural traditions. Since gaining independence from Pakistan in 1971, Bangladesh has made significant strides in both economic development and social advancement, despite periodic challenges with natural disasters.

Languages Spoken

Bangladesh is a linguistically diverse country, predominantly unified by the Bengali (Bangla) language, which is spoken by a vast majority of the population, approximately 98.82%. Despite this linguistic unity, several regional languages contribute to its cultural richness. Chittagonian is spoken by about 2.9% of the population, primarily around the southeastern region near Chittagong. Sylheti, spoken by 2.2%, is prevalent in the northeastern Sylhet region. The Rohingya language, with its cultural significance, is spoken by about 1.5%, primarily by the Rohingya ethnic group. Meitei (Manipuri), spoken by around 1% of people, is primarily used by the Meitei community residing along the northeastern border areas. These languages, though smaller in numerical terms, are significant markers of Bangladesh's ethnic and cultural diversity.

Different Languages Spoken in Bangladesh

Language data last updated 2024 est. from World Population Review - Bangladesh

LanguageUsage
Bengali (Bangla)98.82%
Chittagonian2.9%
Sylheti2.2%
Rohingya1.5%
Meitei (Manipuri)1%
Note: The total may add up to more than 100% as people may speak multiple languages

Useful Bengali Phrases

Learn these phrases if you're planning on traveling to Bangladesh

হ্যালো

Hello

A common greeting.

আপনি কেমন আছেন?

How are you?

Used to inquire about someone's well-being.

এর দাম কত?

How much does it cost?

Useful when shopping or dining.

বাথরুম কোথায়?

Where is the bathroom?

Important for finding restrooms.

আপনাকে ধন্যবাদ

Thank you

To express gratitude.

Learn to speak Bengali

Interested in speaking Bengali in Bangladesh? Using Lingocat you can learn the basics of the language and start speaking in no time with the help of our AI Language Tutors.

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