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