Languages in Mauritius
While Mauritius is known for its pristine white sand beaches and clear blue waters, this stunning emerald gem has so much more to offer visitors from around the world, including a wide range of luxurious accommodations, numerous activities on land and in the water, and some of the world’s best beaches. But it’s also an island with a colorful past and a rich cultural background, resulting in a vibrant diverse culture; it’s a destination with a mixed population of religions and languages. The island’s many languages provide light on the island’s past.
What Language is Used in Mauritius?
Mauritius is a multilingual country. Being widely diverse, the people of Mauritius speak a number of languages. Although the constitution of Mauritius prohibits the use of a national language, French and English are the official languages.
Official Language of Mauritius
Mauritians speak a Creole that is a hybrid of French, English, and a few Indian and African languages. It’s clear that immigrants from China and India have had a significant impact on the language. Mauritians speak Mauritian Creole as their native language. Formal talks do not call for the usage of colloquialisms like these.
This Creole has no standard script. The slaves who came to the Island in the late 18th century gave rise to this language. They spoke with one another and with their French overlords using a pidgin language that none of them could understand. This pidgin has evolved through time into a language that is now casually used by all locals, regardless of ethnicity.
Phrases and Translation
A handy phrasebook in Mauritian Creole, the Creole spoken in Mauritius and based on French.
English | French | Mauritian Creole |
Hello! | Salutations | Alo! |
Good Morning | Bonjour | Bonzour! |
Good Afternoon | Bon soir | Bonswar |
How are you? | Comment-allez vous? | Ki maniere? |
I am fine. Thank you. | Je vais bien. Merci. | Mo byen. Mersi. |
Thank you. | Merci | Mersi. |
Where are you from? | D’où viens-tu? | Kot to sorti? |
I am from…. | Je viens de | Mo sorti ….. |
Pleased to meet you | Ravi de vous rencontrez | Mo conten mon zuen ou |
Goodbye | Au revoir | Orewar |
Good luck | Bonne chance | Bonne Chance |
Have a nice day! | Bonne journée | Bonne Zurner |
Have a nice meal! | Bon appétit | Bon appetit |
Have a good journey! | Bon Voyage | Bon Vwayaz |
Yes | Oui | Oui |
No | Non | Non |
Maybe | Peut-être | Kapav |
I don’t know | Je sais pas | Mo pas coner |
Do you understand? | Comprenez-vous? | To compren? |
I understand | Je comprends. | Mo compren |
Do you speak English? | Parlez vous Français | To koz anglai? |
Excuse me | Pardon | Exkize moi |
Do you speak Mauritian Creole? | Parlez-vous Créole Mauricien? | To koz creole? |
How much is this? | Combien ça coûte? | Kombien sa? |
Sorry | Désoler | Sorri |
Please | S’il te plaît | Si ouplé |
Toilet | Toilette | Toilette |
Market | Marché | Bazar |
Luggage | Valise | Valiz |
Restaurant | Restaurant | Restorant |
Hotel | Hôtel | Lotel |
Looking for | Je cherche | Mo pe rod |
Bus Stop | Arrêt de bus | Bis stop |
You’ll have an easy time in Mauritius if you use this instructions. You won’t have to seek out a local guide the next time you want to order meals or ask for directions.