What language is spoken on the Comoros Islands?
There isn't one official language of the Comoros Islands, instead, there are three that have been nationally recognised under the country's constitution - French, Arabic, and Comorian. However, this doesn't mean these three languages are spoken equally among the population or that they are the only languages spoken on the Comoros Islands. For instance, Malagasy and Swahili are also spoken by a small minority.
The combination of languages found on the island can be attributed to its rich past under Malagasy and French colonial rule, as well as the period of time when the country was part of the Indian maritime trade routes. While the country has politically developed since then, it still retains its foreign influences and this representation can be seen in its architecture, cuisine, and of course, language.
Which language do locals speak the most?
The majority (around 96%) of the population speaks Comorian, however, each island in the Comoros has a slightly different dialect of the language. These dialects are Shingazija, spoken on Grande Comore, Shimwali, spoken on Moheli, and Shinzwani, spoken on Anjouan. While these dialects are slightly different to each other, they retain some similarities so people from different islands are still able to communicate easily with each other.
Comorian is also closely related to Swahili but they're recognised as two different languages, rather than Comorian being classified as a dialect of Swahili, as there's mutual unintelligibility between the two.
While Comorian may be the language most locals use, French is actually the language spoken in government and for commerce and is the language spoken (alongside Arabic) as part of the school curriculum on the islands. This stems from the colonisation by the French from the period of 1841 to 1975. However, Comorian is spoken at home and in other industries and is considered the informal/casual language.
What are some Comorian phrases I should know before my trip?
Because there are distinct languages spoken in different settings on the Comoros Islands, it can be hard to know which language to brush up on before your trip. However, as many locals don't speak fluent English, learning a bit of either French or Comorian will go a long way in helping you communicate during your travels. As Comorian is the language that's most prevalent, we've put together some Shingazija Comorian words/phrases you should be familiar with before embarking on your adventure.
- Hello (general greeting) - Jeje
- Good morning - Bariza soubouni
- Good afternoon - Bariza mtsana
- Good evening - Bariza massihou
- How are you? - Hufanyiha dje?
If you're having a hard time remembering these common words/phrases, we recommend travelling with a guidebook or language translator so you'll never be stuck in a situation where you can't communicate. Showing that you're making an effort to understand and learn the local language will also be appreciated and goes a long way in showing respect for Comorian culture.
Return to Comoros Islands FAQs
Our Comoros Islands tours
9 Days
From
4572
A 9-day wildlife tour around Comoros from Moroni on Grand Comore. Visit Nioumachoua and...
Tailor-Made trips
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
Read more about Africa
Aug 12, 2023
Meet Leitah Mkhabela and the world’s...
Leitah and the Black Mambas are deterring poachers without bullets and inspiring a...
Aug 14, 2023
Egypt or Jordan? Which country should...
The pyramids or Petra? Petra or the pyramids? It's a tough choice but one that...
Dec 06, 2017
10 facts you probably don’t know...
Namibia is an incredibly progressive country for sustainable tourism. Here's what...
Jul 12, 2023
The top 10 destinations to travel in...
From the iconic Incan ruins of Peru to the rolling Saharan dunes of Morocco, here...
Apr 04, 2017
Cape Town: two cities, one mountain
Stunningly beautiful, cosmopolitan and vibrant, Cape Town seems to have it all....
Sep 02, 2022
The top 8 destinations for travel in...
Whether you’ve always wanted to get off the beaten track in Romania, watch the...
Sep 30, 2022
What I wish I knew before climbing...
One writer took on the Machame Route in Tanzania. Here's what she learned, plus...
Aug 03, 2023
Meet Rambo, the marine ranger helping...
How much do you know about Comoros? If the answer is not much, you’re not alone....
Mar 21, 2017
Africa through the lens with...
Yep, this year we're launching a one-of-a-kind expedition into the wilds of Africa...
Mar 11, 2014
8 African snacks you’ve just got to try
In Africa, most action takes place on the streets and roadsides – people hawking...
Nov 07, 2016
Africa mythbusting: 10 ‘facts’ that...
Africa is probably the most misunderstood continent on Earth. It's time to go...
Feb 25, 2022
Food in Kenya: 10 dishes to try on...
As Deborah Cater once wisely said, “You have to taste a culture to understand it.”
Jul 26, 2023
What it’s like to visit Egypt as a...
Visiting conservative countries can be daunting as a transgender traveller – even...
Jul 12, 2023
The top 8 destinations for travel in...
From sipping schnapps in Sweden to tracking endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda...
Jul 10, 2023
The top 7 destinations for travel in...
From witnessing Bolivia's salt flats to staring in wonder at the cherry blossoms...
Jun 16, 2017
What it’s really like to visit Egypt...
Some people feel nervous about travelling to Egypt. One traveller gives her best...
Apr 22, 2023
Egypt vs Morocco: where to next?
How do you choose between the Giza pyramids and the Marrakesh Medina? Or the...
May 15, 2022
The top 8 destinations for travel in...
From hiking in US national parks to going on safari in South Africa, here's your...
Sep 08, 2022
The top 7 destinations for travel in...
From the jungles of Central America to the beaches of South East Asia, here's...
Sep 07, 2019
The top 7 destinations for travel in...
From Zanzibar's beautiful beaches to music and dancing at Rio Carnival, here's...
Sep 06, 2022
The top 7 destinations for travel in...
From rum tasting in Cuba to spotting orangutans in Borneo, here's your guide to...
Mar 08, 2023
Why Morocco is an underrated active...
If you’re a lover of all things active, these are the experiences you need to make...