Languages · Asia
What Language Do They Speak in Timor-Leste?
The official languages of Timor-Leste are Portuguese and Tetum. In total about 22 living languages are spoken there, the most common being Portuguese (59%), Tetum (59%) and Tetun Dili (25%).
2
Official languages
22
Living languages · #62
0
Regional official languages
8
Endangered languages
Official languages of Timor-Leste
Most spoken languages in Timor-Leste
Portuguese Official
59%Tetum Official
59%Tetun Dili
25%Mambai
17%Mambae
9%Makasae
7%Kemak
6%Bunak
6%Fataluku
4%Waima'a
2%Idaté
1%Lakalei
1%Share of the population who speak the language (first or second language).
All languages of Timor-Leste (22)
| Language | Speakers here | Family | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portuguese | 889,076 · 59% | Indo-European | Official |
| Tetum | 889,076 · 59% | Austronesian | Official |
| Tetun Dili | 380,000 · 25% | Austronesian | Safe |
| Mambai | 233,194 · 17% | Atlantic-Congo | Threatened |
| Mambae | 130,000 · 9% | Austronesian | Safe |
| Makasae | 100,000 · 7% | Timor-Alor-Pantar | Safe |
| Kemak | 81,477 · 6% | Austronesian | Threatened |
| Bunak | 77,263 · 6% | Timor-Alor-Pantar | Threatened |
| Fataluku | 49,167 · 4% | Timor-Alor-Pantar | Safe |
| Waima'a | 25,286 · 2% | Austronesian | Vulnerable |
| Idaté | 17,000 · 1% | Austronesian | Threatened |
| Lakalei | 17,000 · 1% | Austronesian | Threatened |
| Nauete | 15,000 · 1% | Austronesian | Vulnerable |
| Galolen | 11,000 · 0.73% | Austronesian | Threatened |
| Makalero | 9,760 · 0.65% | — | — |
| Atauran | 5,500 · 0.37% | Bookkeeping | Safe |
| Welaun | 3,800 · 0.25% | Austronesian | Safe |
| Habu | 2,700 · 0.18% | Austronesian | Vulnerable |
| Maku'a | 56 · 0% | Austronesian | Nearly extinct |
| Baikeno | — | Austronesian | Threatened |
| Kairui-Midiki | — | Austronesian | Vulnerable |
| Tukudede | — | Austronesian | Safe |
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Frequently asked questions
What language do they speak in Timor-Leste?
The official languages of Timor-Leste are Portuguese and Tetum. In total about 22 living languages are spoken there, the most common being Portuguese (59%), Tetum (59%) and Tetun Dili (25%).
What is the official language of Timor-Leste?
Portuguese and Tetum.
Is English spoken in Timor-Leste?
English is not widely spoken in Timor-Leste — learn a few words of Portuguese before you go.
How many languages are spoken in Timor-Leste?
About 22 living languages — #62 in the world for linguistic diversity. 8 of them are endangered.
Data: Languages of the World dataset (MIT) — ISO 639-3, Glottolog (CC BY 4.0), Unicode CLDR, Google LinguaMeta (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata; country lists: samayo/country-json (MIT).