Languages
🗣 Languages Spoken in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Curious about which languages are spoken in Bosnia and Herzegovina? Whether you’re planning a visit, moving for work, or just exploring the culture, understanding the linguistic landscape can make your experience more enriching.
🇧🇦 Official Languages
Bosnia and Herzegovina officially recognizes Bosnian, Serbian, and Croatian as its three main languages. While each language reflects the identity of a different ethnic group, they are:
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Mutually intelligible
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Structurally and grammatically similar
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Written in both Latin and Cyrillic alphabets
📝 Fun Fact: Bosnian includes more loanwords from Turkish, Arabic, and Persian due to historical Ottoman influence.
🌍 Minority & Regional Languages
The country’s rich cultural diversity is also reflected in its minority languages. In various regions and communities, you might hear:
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Albanian
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Romani
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Turkish
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Italian
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German
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Hungarian
These languages are typically used within families, cultural organizations, or in schools where minority rights are protected.
🌐 Foreign Languages in Daily Life
Over 60% of the population speaks at least one foreign language!
Most Common Foreign Languages:
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English – especially among youth and in cities
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German – due to strong ties with the diaspora in Austria and Germany
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French, Italian, and Russian – also present in education and cultural sectors
🧑🎓 Education: English is taught from primary school and continues through higher education, making it widely understood by younger generations.
💬 Want to Learn a Few Phrases?
Even though English is widely spoken in urban areas, learning some local expressions will go a long way! From “Dobar dan” (Good day) to “Hvala” (Thank you), picking up basic words helps connect more deeply with locals.