What Language Do They Speak in Mongolia?

Header image for Mongolia

Mongolia

Mongolia, nestled between Russia to the north and China to the south, is a landlocked nation characterized by its vast steppes, rugged mountains, and the expanse of the Gobi Desert. Known for its rich history, it was once the heart of the Mongol Empire under the leadership of Genghis Khan in the 13th century. Today, while many Mongolians live in its capital, Ulaanbaatar, a significant portion continue the traditional nomadic lifestyle, herding and living closely with nature.

Languages Spoken

In Mongolia, the primary language spoken is Mongolian, with approximately 90% of the population using it as their first language. It is the official language of the country and plays a crucial role in cultural identity and communication across the nation. Kazakh is the second most spoken language, occasionally used by around 5.9% of the population, primarily in the Bayan-Ölgii Province where ethnic Kazakhs reside. Russian is also spoken by around 1.4% of the population, a reflection of historic educational and diplomatic ties with Russia.

Different Languages Spoken in Mongolia

Language data last updated 2024 est. from Wikipedia - Mongolia

LanguageUsage
Mongolian90%
Kazakh5.9%
Russian1.4%
Note: The total may add up to more than 100% as people may speak multiple languages

Useful Mongolian Phrases

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

Сайн байна уу?

Hello, how are you?

This is a common greeting in Mongolian.

Энэ хэд вэ?

How much is this?

Useful for asking the price of items.

... хаана байна вэ?

Where is...?

Fill in the blank with the place or object you're looking for, such as 'зочид буудал' for 'hotel'.

Би ойлгосонгүй

I don't understand

Helpful phrase when you need clarification or assistance.

Баярлалаа

Thank you

A polite way to express gratitude.

Learn to speak Mongolian

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

Download for iOS