Paite is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the Paite people. There are different Paite dialects; some notable Paite dialects are Bukpi, Lousau, Valpau, Dapzal, Tuichiap, Sukte, Dim, Lamzang and Sihzang. The language exhibits mutual intelligibility with the other languages of the region including Thadou, Hmar, Vaiphei, Simte, Kom, Gangte and other languages.^[3] The name Paite could translate to 'the people who went', 'a group of people marching'.^[4]

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The Paites in India have adopted many words from other languages close in proximity such as Thadou, Lusei/Duhlian, Meiteilon, Bengali and Hindi. A good analogy would be to compare their similarity to that of American English and British English.^[5][6]

The following is a sample text in Paite of Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

There are two major dialects of Paite spoken in Manipur: Lamjang and Dapjal; and 4 minor dialects which are Songtal, Bukpi, Lousau & Kangkap. ^[8]

Paite language can now be taken up as one of the MIL subjects offered in the Three-Year Degree course in Manipur University. The Academic Council of the university in its meeting held on April 22, 2004 gave its approval for the inclusion of Paite as one of the MIL subjects after considering recommendation by the Board of Studies of the School of Humanities, and also in recognition of the richness of the language and its literature including creative writing.^{[9][better source needed][verification needed]}