Cyprus Language: Greek, Turkish and English – What Language Is Spoken in Cyprus?
The official languages of the Republic of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish, as set out in the 1960 constitution. In everyday life, Greek Cypriots speak Cypriot Greek, a dialect of Greek that differs noticeably from standard Greek. As a visitor you will get by very well in English: according to Visit Cyprus, English is widely spoken, and road signs are written in both Greek and Latin script.
We live in Coral Bay near Paphos and hear every day how easily people here switch between Greek and English – at the supermarket, in the taverna and with tradespeople. In this guide you will find out which language is spoken in Cyprus, why English is so widely spoken and which Greek words will make locals smile.
Cyprus at a Glance: a Divided Island
Cyprus lies in the eastern Mediterranean, south of Turkey and west of Syria and Lebanon. After Sicily and Sardinia, it is the third-largest island in the Mediterranean. The capital is Nicosia, and other large cities in the south are Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos. Since 1974 the island has been divided: the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus controls the south, while the northern part of the island is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The Republic of Cyprus has been a member of the European Union since 2004, and the United Kingdom still has two military bases on the island, Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
What Language Is Spoken in Cyprus? The Official Languages of Cyprus
According to Article 3 of the 1960 constitution, Greek and Turkish are the official languages of the Republic of Cyprus. Official use follows Standard Modern Greek and Standard Turkish. In the south of the island, including Paphos and Coral Bay, Greek is the language of everyday life. In Northern Cyprus, which is recognised only by Turkey, Turkish is spoken.
Cypriot Greek: the Dialect of the Island
Greek Cypriots do not speak standard Greek in everyday life, but Cypriot Greek. The dialect differs from Standard Modern Greek in pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary – the standard language is taught at school and used by the authorities. That is why Greeks from Greece do not always understand every conversation at a Cypriot market. Turkish Cypriots speak Cypriot Turkish, which is easily understood by speakers of Standard Turkish.
English in Cyprus: Why English Is Widely Spoken
Cyprus was under British administration from 1878 until independence in 1960, and English was the sole official language during that time. English was still used in the courts until 1989. According to the Eurobarometer, around 73% of people in Cyprus could speak English in 2006. In the latest EF English Proficiency Index (December 2025), Cyprus ranks 40th in the world and is rated as having moderate proficiency.
For you as a visitor, this means you can get by in English at hotels, restaurants, shops, car hire desks and the airport. Road signs are written in both Greek and Latin script, so you can read place names without knowing Greek.
Other Languages: Armenian, Cypriot Arabic and Russian
Armenian has been recognised as a minority language under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages since 2002. Cypriot Arabic, the language of the Maronites, is estimated to be spoken by only around 900 people. In the 2011 census, almost 21,000 residents gave Russian as their mother tongue.
The Greek Alphabet: Reading Signs
Greek is written in the Greek alphabet. On road signs you will usually also find place names in Latin letters, often with different spellings: Paphos is Πάφος in Greek and is also written Pafos, and Peyia is also spelled Pegeia.
Greek Words for Your Holiday in Cyprus
- Hello / goodbye: Yia sou (to one person), Yia sas (polite or to several people)
- Good morning: Kaliméra
- Good evening: Kalispéra
- Thank you: Efcharistó
- Please: Parakaló
- Yes / no: Ne / Óchi
- The bill, please: To logariasmó, parakaló
- Cheers: Yiamás
Watch out: the Greek “ne” means “yes”.
Language in Northern Cyprus
In the north of the island, Turkish is the everyday language. Many places there have both a Turkish and a Greek name, for example Girne and Kyrenia.
FAQ: Cyprus Language
What language is spoken in Cyprus?
Greek in the south and Turkish in the north. According to the constitution, both are official languages of the Republic of Cyprus.
Is English widely spoken in Cyprus?
Yes. According to Visit Cyprus, English is widely spoken in Cyprus.
Is Cypriot the same as Greek?
Not quite: Cypriot Greek is a dialect that differs noticeably from Standard Modern Greek in pronunciation and vocabulary.
Do I need to speak Greek in Cyprus?
No, English is enough for visitors – but a friendly “Kaliméra” always goes down well.
Conclusion
In Cyprus you can get by in English almost everywhere – but a few Greek words like Kaliméra or Efcharistó still go down well. For more practical tips for your trip, take a look at our guide to currency and prices in Cyprus.
Sources: official languages (constitution, Article 3), English as former official language and in the courts, Eurobarometer 2006, 2011 census, Armenian and Cypriot Arabic from Wikipedia: Languages of Cyprus; “English is widely spoken” from Visit Cyprus; EF English Proficiency Index from the Cyprus Mail (5 December 2025); road signs from Wikipedia: Road signs in Cyprus; geography and history from Wikipedia: Cyprus. Cover photo: Paphos Castle at the harbour, Sergei Gussev / Unsplash. Last updated: October 2026.
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