Moving to Ixelles for a new job soon and my French is basically zero. I can get by a bit but English is my main language for work and stuff. Is it possible to communicate solely in English in Brussels?
antwerp_sales_proIs it possible to communicate solely in English in Brussels
antwerp_sales_proAccepted answer
been_there_done_thatYou can get by for most things in the city, but your life will be much easier if you learn the local tongue... Most people in Brussels speak French, probably about 70-80% of the time in daily life. For things like:
- museums
- restaurants
- administration
you will need more than just English since it is not an official language here.
Replies
JokingNonnieAre you moving for a corporate job or something more creative?
Helper_HandBrussels is officially bilingual, but the French language has the practical 'upper hand' in most services.
logistics_and_lagerAlways start with a simple 'Bonjour' before you switch to English (it helps a lot). If you just start speaking English immediately, people might get a bit grumpy
funny_expatEnglish is generally a better fallback language than Dutch when you are talking to Francophones in the city.
design_eye_antwerpSome long-term residents manage to live successfully using only English without ever learning the local languages !
newbie_notes2About 90% of people you meet in certain contexts speak English - especially in the more international parts of the city.