The main language spoken in Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani (also called Azeri), which is the country’s sole official language and the mother tongue of the vast majority of the population.

Quick Scoop

  • The official and dominant language in Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani, a Turkic language closely related to Turkish.
  • Around 90–96% of people in the country speak Azerbaijani as their first language.
  • You will also hear Russian and, increasingly, English in cities, especially in business and education.

Other Languages You Might Hear

  • Minority communities speak languages such as Lezgian, Talysh, Avar, Tat, and others, mainly in specific regions.
  • Russian still functions as a common second language for many, due to historical ties from the Soviet era.

In everyday practice, if you’re visiting Baku or other major cities, basic Turkish often helps a bit, and English can work in touristy areas, but Azerbaijani remains the key local language.

TL;DR: They speak Azerbaijani in Azerbaijan, with Russian, English, and several minority languages also present.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.