Dubai is one of the world’s most multicultural cities, home to millions of expatriates from more than 200 nationalities. While Arabic is the official language of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai’s linguistic landscape is incredibly diverse, shaped by global trade, tourism, and a large migrant workforce. Here is a detailed look at the top 10 most spoken languages in Dubai, reflecting the city’s rich cultural mix.
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Arabic
Arabic is the official language of Dubai and the UAE. Modern Standard Arabic is used in government, media, and formal communication, while Emirati Arabic is spoken in everyday life by local residents. Although Arabic holds official status, only a minority of Dubai’s population are Emirati nationals, so the language coexists with many others.
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English
English is the most widely spoken language in Dubai and acts as the lingua franca for business, tourism, education, and daily communication. Road signs, menus, contracts, and official documents often appear in English alongside Arabic. Most expatriates rely on it, making it the city’s dominant working language.
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Hindi
Due to Dubai’s large South Asian population, Hindi is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the city. Many workers from India communicate in Hindi, and it is widely heard in shops, streets, and workplaces. Bollywood films, Indian TV channels, and Hindi music are also extremely popular in Dubai.
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Urdu
Closely related to Hindi, Urdu is widely spoken by Pakistani residents in Dubai. It’s common in markets, taxi ranks, construction sites, and neighbourhoods with large South Asian communities. Urdu-language media is widely available, and the language plays a major role in Dubai’s multicultural identity.
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Malayalam
A significant percentage of Dubai’s Indian community comes from the southern state of Kerala, making Malayalam one of the most spoken Indian languages in the emirate. You’ll find Malayalam in schools, retail stores, hospitals, and among professionals like engineers and nurses who have migrated to Dubai.
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Bengali
The Bangladeshi community forms one of the largest expatriate groups in the UAE. Bengali is commonly spoken in various sectors, especially construction, services, and hospitality. Businesses catering to Bengali speakers—including restaurants and grocery stores—are easy to find in Dubai.
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Tagalog
The Filipino population is a vibrant part of Dubai’s workforce. As a result, Tagalog is frequently spoken in malls, hotels, restaurants, and service industries. Filipino communities also maintain strong cultural ties through Tagalog TV, music, and social events.
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Tamil
Tamil is another widely spoken language among the Indian and Sri Lankan communities in Dubai. Many Tamils work in retail, logistics, construction, and information technology. The language is supported with Tamil media outlets, cultural associations, and Tamil-language schools.
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Persian (Farsi)
Because Dubai is geographically close to Iran and has long maintained strong trade connections, Persian (Farsi) is widely spoken among the Iranian community. Iranian-owned businesses, shops, and restaurants are common, and Persian is heard particularly in areas like Deira and Bur Dubai.
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Chinese (Mandarin)
With China’s growing economic influence, Mandarin has become increasingly common in Dubai. Chinese tourists frequent Dubai year-round, and many Chinese professionals work in trade, technology, and real estate. Businesses are increasingly hiring Mandarin speakers to serve this important market.
Why Dubai Has So Many Languages
Several factors contribute to Dubai’s multilingual environment:
- Huge expatriate population (over 85% of residents are foreigners)
- Thriving business hub attracting global professionals
- International tourism with millions of visitors each year
- Cultural openness and global trade connections
Dubai’s cultural diversity makes it one of the most linguistically rich cities in the world.
