Macedonian is a South Slavic language, closely related to Bulgarian and written in Cyrillic script — but you'll get by in every destination on this site with English alone, particularly in Skopje, Ohrid, and anywhere tourism-focused.
Is English widely spoken?
Yes, in tourism contexts — hotels, restaurants, and tour operators in Skopje, Ohrid, and the main destinations generally have staff who speak functional to fluent English. It thins out noticeably in smaller villages and among older residents.
Cyrillic script basics
Street signs and menus are often in Cyrillic only, particularly outside the most touristed areas. Learning to sound out the alphabet — even without understanding the words — makes navigation considerably easier; it takes most travelers under an hour to get comfortable with it.
Useful phrases
“Blagodaram” (thank you), “Molam” (please), and “Dobar den” (good day) go a long way. Most Macedonians respond warmly to any attempt at the language, however imperfect.
Other languages you'll hear
Albanian is widely spoken in the west (including around Tetovo and Debar), and Turkish has a smaller but present community, particularly in the east. Older residents in some regions also speak some Serbian or Russian.
Translation apps
Google Translate's camera feature works well for Cyrillic menus and signs, and is worth having installed before you go — offline Macedonian language packs are available for use without data.