If you are traveling to Aruba soon, you may be wondering what language do they speak in Aruba? Do they speak English in Aruba? Continue reading for the answer to this question and plenty more helpful info for your next trip to Aruba!
Yes, they do speak English in Aruba! There are actually four languages commonly spoken in Aruba: Dutch, English, Spanish, and Papiamento, which is the native Aruban language. The official languages of Aruba are Dutch and Papiamento.
If you only speak English, you should have no problems communicating in Aruba. When we visited Aruba, we didn’t encounter a single person who didn’t speak English fluently. This made traveling around and communicating with locals extremely easy.
Even though English is spoken in Aruba, it is fun to learn more about the local languages and culture before visiting. This guide has everything you need to know about what languages are spoken in Aruba, including some helpful phrases from Aruba’s native language, Papiamento.
Do They Speak English in Aruba?
Yes, English is spoken in Aruba. Although English is not one of the official languages in Aruba, it is a very common language on the island. Many Arubans speak proficient or fluent English as a second or third language.
One reason English is so common is because Aruba recognizes English as an international language, so they teach English in the school system. Most students in Aruban schools start learning English in primary school, which allows them to become quite proficient in the language.
In my experience in Aruba, we encountered English speakers everywhere. Arubans speak English very well, so communication in Aruba is no problem at all.
Official Aruba Languages
Aruba has two official languages: Dutch and Papiamento. Papiamento is the native language of Aruba and was originally developed from an Afro-Portuguese Creole language. Papiamento has been spoken by people in Aruba for the last several hundred years. However, it wasn’t until 2003 that Papiamento was finally declared an official language of Aruba, along with Dutch.
Dutch has been an official language for several hundred years in Aruba. The Dutch took control of Aruba in 1636, and since then, Dutch has been an official language on the island.
Today, Aruba is recognized as a parliamentary democracy, but the Netherlands is still responsible for the island’s defense and foreign affairs. All Arubans also hold Dutch passports, so Aruba is very much tied to the Netherlands. Therefore, Dutch remains one of the official languages of Aruba and is used often for administrative and legal matters.
What Languages Are Spoken in Aruba?
Most Arubans are multilingual, and many people speak as many as three or four different languages. The main languages in Aruba include Papiamento, Dutch, English, and Spanish.
Papiamento
Papiamento is the native language in Aruba and has been spoken for several hundred years on the island. Today, it is the most commonly spoken language in Aruba. Papiamento is a unique language used on the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao.
For those who haven’t heard it, Papiamento is a friendly and upbeat-sounding language. It’s also an important cultural aspect that ties the Aruban people together.
Papiamento was originally a Creole language that developed from Portuguese and a mix of African languages. It was also heavily influenced by Dutch, English, Spanish, and some French.
The Papiamento language was first documented as being used in Curaçao during the 16th century. By the 18th century, the language was used widely throughout Aruba and Curaçao.
Many people in Aruba speak Papiamento fluently, as it is the country’s native language. However, it wasn’t used in schools or considered an official language of Aruba until recently. In 1998, the language was added to the school curriculum in Aruba. In 2003, Papiamento became one of the official languages of Aruba, in addition to Dutch.
Papiamento has two main dialects, one in Aruba and one that is used in Curaçao and Bonaire. Aruban Papiamento sounds more like Spanish compared to the Curaçao and Bonaire dialects. Another difference between the two dialects is the spelling. For example, many of the words in the Aruban dialect end with “o” while the same word ends with “u” in Bonaire and Curaçao.
Dutch
The Dutch language first came to Aruba during the Dutch occupation of the island in 1636. Due to the influx of Dutch-speaking people who moved to Aruba over the next hundred years, the Dutch language became widespread.
At one point in the early 19th century, the British took control of the island and it wasn’t until 1816 that the Dutch resumed control of Aruba. At this time, officials noted that the Dutch language had become widely used across Aruba.
Dutch is still an official language in Aruba today, due to the strong ties between Aruba and the Netherlands. Most Arubans speak Dutch fluently, and Dutch is the language that is used within the Aruban public school system. Dutch is also the language in Aruba that is used for governmental, legal, and administrative purposes.
English
The English language has been present in Aruba for over 200 years. During the early 19th century, the British Empire fought the Dutch and briefly took control of Aruba from 1805 to 1816. During this time, the English language started to spread in Aruba.
Today, English is a widely spoken language in Aruba. This is because English is an international language and is especially common in the tourism sector. Since tourists flock to Aruba from every corner of the globe, but especially from the United States and Canada, English is commonly spoken around the island.
Arubans are taught English in school, and most Arubans are fluent or highly proficient in English. During my experience in Aruba, I found that English was commonly used throughout the island, especially by high-end Aruban hotels (like my favorite – The Boardwalk Boutique Hotel).
Spanish
Although Aruba isn’t considered a Spanish-speaking country, it is close to many Spanish-speaking nations in Central and South America, such as Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and more.
The Spanish language has been spoken in Aruba for several hundred years, but it has never been an official language of Aruba. Actually, it was a Spanish explorer who first came to Aruba in 1499 – over 100 years before the Dutch took control of the island.
Starting in the 18th century, Spanish became an important language for Arubans who were trading with nearby Spanish-speaking colonies (which are now a part of Colombia and Venezuela). For this reason, among others, Spanish became more widely spoken in Aruba.
Today, around 44% of Arubans speak Spanish fluently. Spanish is taught as a foreign language in the Aruban school system, which contributes to the number of Spanish speakers in Aruba. Spanish is also a popular language for tourism, similar to English.
Other Languages in Aruba
The main languages spoken in Aruba are Papiamento, Dutch, English, and Spanish. However, there are a few other languages that are spoken on the island. These languages are spoken by very small groups of people rather than being commonly spoken languages. Many of these languages are spoken by groups of people who have immigrated to Aruba.
Portuguese
Portuguese isn’t a commonly spoken language in Aruba, but it’s related to the local Papiamento language. The Papiamento language is an Afro-Creole language that was also influenced by Portuguese, Spanish, and Dutch languages. Portuguese is also present in Aruba due to the island’s proximity to Brazil.
French
There are some French speakers in Aruba, but French is not widely spoken throughout the country. French is taught in some Aruban schools as an option for foreign language, although it is not as much of a focus compared to English and Spanish.
Chinese
Chinese is not a common language in Aruba, but it is a language that is spoken by a small percentage of people in Aruba. Most of these people are Chinese speakers who immigrated to the island.
German
Similar to Chinese, German is spoken only by a very small percentage of people in Aruba. Most of these German speakers immigrated from a German-speaking country.
What Language is Mostly Spoken in Aruba?
The languages most commonly spoken in Aruba by locals are Papiamento and Dutch. Papiamento is the native language and is spoken regularly in everyday life in Aruba. The Papiamento language connects people culturally and most Arubans speak it fluently.
Dutch is also a widely spoken language in Aruba. Dutch is an official language in the country and is used in many formal settings such as government, administrative, and legal settings. Dutch is also used in the public school system in Aruba, which makes it a frequently used language on the island.
Easy Words and Phrases in Papiamento to Know for Your Trip to Aruba
Even though English is a commonly spoken language in Aruba, it’s still a great idea to learn a few words and phrases of the local language – Papiamento. Not only does this show respect for the Aruban culture, but it is also a fun way to learn more about the island before you book your snorkeling tours, sample the delicious local cuisine, and embark on all the unique and exciting things to do in Aruba.
Although Aruba is a very safe country, it’s also not a bad idea to have a few local phrases in your back pocket for safety reasons – such as asking for directions from strangers. Below, you’ll find some common words and phrases in Papiamento, the local language of Aruba.
- Bon bini – Welcome
- Bon dia – Good morning
- Bon tardi – Good afternoon
- Bon nochi – Good night
- Danki – Thank you
- Ayo – Goodbye
- Pasa un bon dia – Have a good day
- Kuantu ta kosta? – How much does it cost? (Helpful when shopping for cute clothes to wear in Aruba!)
What Language Do They Speak in Aruba FAQs
Before your next Caribbean vacation, you may have a few questions about what language is spoken in Aruba. Below are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the languages spoken in Aruba.
In Aruba, the phrase bon bini means “welcome!” in English. It is pronounced just like it sounds “bon bee-ni”. Bon bini comes from the native Aruban language of Papiamento. Using the phrase bon bini is a friendly and upbeat way to greet someone in Aruba. You’ll hear bon bini frequently in Aruba, from arriving at the airport, entering a restaurant, checking into a hotel, entering taxis (since there is no Uber in Aruba) and more. It’s the most popular way to greet someone in Aruba.
There are a few ways to say “hello” in Papiamento. You can say “bon dia” which means “good morning,” or you can also say “bon tardi” or “bon nochi,” which means “good afternoon” and “good night.” Another popular way to greet someone in Aruba is to say “Bon bini,” which is a friendly way of saying “welcome.”
Spanish is a different language than Papiamento, but the two languages do have similarities. Papiamento originated as a Portuguese-Creole language that was influenced by several other languages, including Spanish. While these languages are not the same, it’s possible that Spanish speakers might understand some words in Papiamento due to the similarities.
Aruba is a Dutch-speaking country, not a Spanish-speaking country. Aruba has been tied to the Netherlands since 1636, which is why one of the official languages of Aruba is Dutch. Most Arubans speak Dutch fluently, but many speak multiple languages. Aruba is close to a few Spanish-speaking countries, such as Venezuela and Colombia. For this reason, Spanish is also a commonly spoken language in Aruba.
The Wrap-Up: What Language Do They Speak in Aruba?
There are many languages spoken in Aruba, but the most common ones are the official Aruban languages of Dutch and Papiamento. Most people in Aruba are multilingual, and many people speak at least three or four languages.
Additionally, they do speak English in Aruba. English is one of the more commonly spoken second languages on the island, along with Spanish. While English and Spanish aren’t official languages in Aruba, they are used frequently among locals, especially within the tourism industry. If you are traveling to Aruba, you’ll likely have no issues speaking English to communicate.
While it isn’t necessary to speak Papiamento to travel to Aruba, it can be interesting to learn a few basic words and phrases before you visit. Knowing phrases such as bon bini (welcome) will help you engage with locals and show an interest in Aruban culture during your visit.
Enjoy your trip to Aruba! There’s nothing like soaking up rays on a beautiful Caribbean beach with your family.
