Languages in Brussels

Languages in Brussels

The capital region of Brussels is bilingual, so Belgians normally speak French and Flemish fluently. Normally locals also speak English.

Belgium has three official languages: French, Dutch and German. In Belgian schools the official two languages taught are French and Dutch, so the majority of Belgians are bilingual. Dutch (Flemish) is spoken in the Flemish communities, while French is spoken in Wallonia.  In Brussels the most common language is French. However, in recent years Flemish is gaining importance. Most Belgians will also speak or at least understand English.

In hotels and restaurants, employees will normally speak English, especially in the more touristy areas; therefore, you will probably not need to practise your French or Dutch. However...

Useful expressions in French

For those who know a little French or those that want to learn it, here is a list of useful expressions in French:

Courtesy

Days of the week

Monday
Lundi
Tuesday
Mardi
Wednesday
Mercredi
Thursday
Jeudi
Friday
Vendredi
Saturday
Samedi
Sunday
Dimanche

The numbers

One
Un / Une
Two
Deux
Three
Trois
Four
Quatre
Five
Cinq
Six
Six
Seven
Sept
Eight
Huit
Nine
Neuf
Ten
Dix

At restaurants

Breakfast
Petit déjeuner
Dinner
Dîner
Juice
Jus
Milk
Lait
Water
Eau
Beer
Bière
Wine
Vin
Soup
Soupe
Meat
Viande
Pork
Porc
Veal
Veau
Chicken
Poulet
Turkey
Turquie
Duck
Canard
Vegeterian
Végétarien
Fish
Poisson
Chips
Chips
Rice
Riz
Yes
Oui
No
Non
Please
S'il vous plaît
Thank you
Merci
You're welcome
Rien
Goodbye
Au revoir
Good morning
Bonjour
Good afternoon
Bonne soir
Good night
Bonne nuit
I don't understand
Je ne comprends pas
How are you?
Comment ça va?
I'm well
Ça va bien