Travelling to Mauritius? Learn bonzur (hello / good day), mersi (thank you), s’il vous plaît or silvouple (please), kot…? (where?) and komie? (how much?). Mauritian Creole is widely used in daily conversation, while French and English are also common in public, business and visitor settings.
Mauritius is multilingual and culturally diverse. English and French have important official and institutional roles, but Mauritian Creole is the everyday language of many people. You may also hear Bhojpuri, Hindi, Tamil, Urdu and Chinese languages. This guide gives a small Mauritian Creole starter set with French and English support, so visitors can make simple requests without assuming everyone uses the same language.
Quick read: Start with bonzur, mersi and silvouple. Learn kot…? for directions and komie? for price. Mauritius drives on the left; check local road rules before hiring a car. Carry some Mauritian rupees for markets and local transport, and check weather warnings during the cyclone season.
20 useful Mauritian Creole phrases
| Mauritian Creole | Meaning | Travel use |
|---|---|---|
| Bonzur | Hello / good day | Greeting |
| Bonswar | Good evening | Evening greeting |
| Aret / Orevwar | Goodbye | Farewell; context and spelling vary |
| Mersi | Thank you | Thanks |
| Silvouple | Please | Polite request |
| Eskiz mwa | Excuse me / sorry | Approach politely |
| Wi / Non | Yes / no | Confirm or decline |
| Kot…? | Where…? | Ask for a place |
| Kot twalet? | Where is the toilet? | Find facilities |
| Komie? | How much? | Ask a price |
| Mo pa konpran | I don’t understand | Clarify |
| Eski to koz angle? | Do you speak English? | Informal question |
| Mo ti pou kontan… | I would like… | Make a polite request |
| Delo | Water | Ask for water |
| Lopital | Hospital | Find medical services |
| Lapolis | Police | Ask for police station |
| Lari | Street / road | Directions |
| Bis | Bus | Public transport |
| Lamer | Sea | Coastal context |
| Ed mwa | Help me | Request assistance |
Mauritian Creole, French and English: which should I use?
Mauritian Creole is widely used in daily conversation. French is widely understood and used in media and many commercial settings. English is used in government, education and official contexts. The language that works best depends on the person and setting. A friendly Creole greeting can open a conversation, and English or French may be useful for more detailed questions.
Creole spelling is not always standardised in informal writing, and pronunciation can vary. Treat the forms above as a practical introduction, not a legal or medical translation. For important allergy, safety or contractual information, use a carefully checked translation and ask the relevant person to confirm.
Port Louis, buses and getting around
Mauritius has public buses, taxis and car-hire options. If you use a bus, confirm the route, destination and stop with the operator or driver before boarding. Timetables and service frequency differ by route, and some services may be less frequent outside urban centres. Ask kot…? to locate a stop, but use the route number and destination to confirm the correct vehicle.
Mauritius drives on the left. Visitors hiring a car should check licence requirements, insurance, speed limits, parking, roundabouts and local road rules. Roads can be narrow in some places, and journey times may be longer than the distance suggests. Do not use a phone while driving; stop safely before checking directions.
Beaches, weather and island conditions
Mauritius is a tropical island, and weather can change with season and location. The island lies in the Southwest Indian Ocean cyclone region; official tourism information and the Mauritius Meteorological Services should be checked during periods of severe weather. Do not rely on a sunny morning as proof that the sea or road conditions will remain safe all day.
For beaches, look for local warnings and follow lifeguard or operator advice. Swimming conditions vary by coast, reef, current and weather. Do not cross barriers or enter restricted areas. If a boat trip or water activity is cancelled due to weather, follow the operator’s decision.
Food, markets and prices
Mauritian cuisine reflects Indian, African, Chinese and European influences. You may encounter dholl puri, farata, rougaille, mine frire and fresh seafood. Ask what a dish contains if you are unfamiliar with it; names and recipes can differ between vendors.
Use komie? to ask a price and confirm the amount, currency and unit. Mauritius uses the Mauritian rupee (MUR). Cards are accepted in many places, but cash can still be useful at markets, small food stalls and some local transport services. Confirm the payment method before ordering.
If you have an allergy, name the specific ingredient and any cross-contact concern. A phrase like ‘pa piman’ (not spicy) only concerns heat; it does not explain a medical allergy. Use a carefully checked statement in Creole, French or English and ask the cook to confirm.
A five-day Mauritian Creole practice plan
- Day 1: practise bonzur, mersi, silvouple and eskiz mwa.
- Day 2: save your hotel address and practise kot…?
- Day 3: check the bus route or driving route for a real outing.
- Day 4: practise komie? and confirm the price in Mauritian rupees.
- Day 5: check the local weather, beach warnings and any cyclone or marine advisories.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mauritian Creole the same as French?
No. Mauritian Creole is a distinct language with a strong historical relationship to French and influences from other languages. French and English are also widely used.
Can I use English in Mauritius?
English is used in official and visitor-facing contexts, while French and Mauritian Creole are commonly heard in daily life.
What currency does Mauritius use?
The Mauritian rupee, abbreviated MUR.
Which side of the road does Mauritius drive on?
Mauritius drives on the left. Check local driving requirements and road rules before hiring a car.
Continue exploring Mauritius
Read things to do when visiting Mauritius and 200 vocabulary words for visiting Mauritius. The broader vocabulary collection complements this phrase-focused guide.
Official references
- Mauritius Government: tourist information — languages and practical visitor details.
- Mauritius Trade Easy: travelling in Mauritius — currency, payment and language overview.
- Mauritius Meteorological Services — official weather and cyclone information.
Language note: Mauritian Creole spelling varies across informal sources. Rates, transport and weather advisories can change; check official local information before travelling. Editorial review: 3 November 2026.