{"id":29145,"date":"2025-09-02T16:38:38","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T20:38:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/?p=29145"},"modified":"2025-10-27T18:34:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T22:34:50","slug":"the-hardest-languages-to-learn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/the-hardest-languages-to-learn\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hardest Languages to Learn"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Who doesn\u2019t love a challenge? Whether it&#8217;s climbing the highest mountain, solving the thorniest problem, or studying the hardest languages to learn \u2013 people enjoy pushing our limits. If you\u2019re a budding polyglot looking for a truly formidable language to tackle, you\u2019re in the right place.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s explore the five hardest languages to learn for English speakers, and see just what makes them so difficult. Are you up to the challenge?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-factors-that-make-a-language-difficult-to-learn-nbsp\">Factors That Make a Language Difficult to Learn&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/d3brn974kg3172.cloudfront.net\/2025\/09\/HardestLangAdobeStock_295184912-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29147\" style=\"width:628px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d3brn974kg3172.cloudfront.net\/2025\/09\/HardestLangAdobeStock_295184912-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/d3brn974kg3172.cloudfront.net\/2025\/09\/HardestLangAdobeStock_295184912-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/d3brn974kg3172.cloudfront.net\/2025\/09\/HardestLangAdobeStock_295184912-768x511.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/d3brn974kg3172.cloudfront.net\/2025\/09\/HardestLangAdobeStock_295184912.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/are-there-easy-and-hard-languages\/\">Are there really any easy or hard languages<\/a>? Every day, very young children the world over learn languages that adults consider the hardest languages to learn. Some languages certainly have far more complex verb conjugations, grammar, and writing systems than others \u2013 but it isn\u2019t a language\u2019s rules that make it hard to learn. It\u2019s how those rules differ from the language rules you have already mastered that makes some languages difficult to learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, we have listed the hardest languages to learn for English speakers, specifically. Some of the features that land a language on our list include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Unfamiliar writing system<\/strong> \u2013 Some languages don\u2019t use the Latin alphabet or have no alphabet at all. Some write from right to left or even top to bottom.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Significant grammatical differences<\/strong> \u2013 Noun cases, complex verb conjugations, or grammatical structures that don\u2019t exist in English.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unfamiliar sentence structure <\/strong>\u2013 Word order that feels unnatural to English speakers, like Subject-Object-Verb structure, such as saying, \u201cThe cat milk drinks\u201d in Korean instead of \u201cThe cat drinks milk.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Complicated pronunciation<\/strong> \u2013 Unfamiliar sounds, tone-based meanings, or tricky rules.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Just as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/the-easiest-languages-to-learn-for-english-speakers\/\">easiest languages for English speakers to learn<\/a> are those most similar to English, the most difficult languages are the most different. Now, let\u2019s see how these differences combine in the hardest languages to learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-most-challenging-languages-to-learn-for-english-speakers\">The Most Challenging Languages to Learn for English Speakers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/d3brn974kg3172.cloudfront.net\/2025\/09\/HardestLangAdobeStock_237903607-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29148\" style=\"width:578px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d3brn974kg3172.cloudfront.net\/2025\/09\/HardestLangAdobeStock_237903607-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/d3brn974kg3172.cloudfront.net\/2025\/09\/HardestLangAdobeStock_237903607-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/d3brn974kg3172.cloudfront.net\/2025\/09\/HardestLangAdobeStock_237903607-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/d3brn974kg3172.cloudfront.net\/2025\/09\/HardestLangAdobeStock_237903607.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Based on grammatical complexities and insights shared by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.state.gov\/foreign-service-institute\/foreign-language-training\">Foreign Service Institute<\/a> of the U.S. Department of State, we have listed the five hardest languages to learn for English speakers. Read on to discover your next challenge!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-mandarin-chinese\">Mandarin Chinese<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/learn-chinese-mandarin\/\">Mandarin Chinese<\/a> tops our list of the hardest languages for English speakers to learn. With well over a billion speakers, it is also the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/the-most-spoken-languages-in-the-world\/\">most spoken language in the world<\/a>!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, let\u2019s see what makes Mandarin Chinese such a difficult language to learn:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Writing system<\/strong> \u2013 Mandarin uses thousands of characters (Hanzi) representing words or concepts rather than an alphabet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tonal language<\/strong> \u2013 Mandarin has four tones that completely change word meanings. Mispronounce <em>m\u0101<\/em>, <em>m\u00e1<\/em>, <em>m\u01ce<\/em>, or <em>m\u00e0<\/em>, and you might call your mother a horse!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Grammar differences<\/strong> \u2013 Mandarin has no verb conjugations, tenses, plurals, or articles, but its unique word order feels unusual. For instance: \u6211\u5728\u9762\u5305\u5e97\u5403\u9762\u5305 translates as \u201cI at bakery eat bread.\u201d&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-modern-standard-arabic-msa\">Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/learn-arabic-modern-standard\/\">Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)<\/a> serves as a unified language bridging many dialects and is one of the hardest languages to learn:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Wiring system<\/strong> \u2013 Arabic is written right to left, letters change shape based on their position within a word, and most vowels are omitted. Wtht vwls, rdng nd wrtng cn b tgh!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Multiple dialects<\/strong> \u2013 MSA is used in formal writing and media, but everyday conversations occur only in regional dialects that vary dramatically.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Root-based vocabulary<\/strong> \u2013 MSA words are based on three-letter roots that change meanings and forms. For example, the root <em>k-t-b<\/em> relates to writing, leading to the words <em>kit\u0101b<\/em> (book), <em>kutub<\/em> (books), <em>k\u0101tib<\/em> (writer), and <em>maktab<\/em> (office).&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-japanese\">Japanese<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Richly beautiful and deeply complex, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/learn-japanese\/\">Japanese<\/a> is widely considered one of the hardest languages in the world:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Writing system<\/strong> \u2013 Japanese has three writing systems, each with different characters. Kanji alone has thousands of characters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Complex grammar<\/strong> \u2013 Japanese uses postpositions instead of prepositions, omits pronouns based on context, and has no future tense.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Politeness levels<\/strong> \u2013 Verbs and vocabulary can change depending on whether you\u2019re speaking formally or informally.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Word order<\/strong> \u2013 Unlike English, the Japanese word order is Subject-Object-Verb, and that confusing is \u2013 \u305d\u308c\u306f\u7d1b\u3089\u308f\u3057\u3044\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-korean\">Korean<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/learn-korean\/\">Korean<\/a> is a hard language to learn for English speakers, it attracts <em>many <\/em>enthusiastic learners due to the incredible popularity of Korean pop culture. Its challenges include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Honorifics and formalities<\/strong> \u2013 Korean has intricate speech levels that change based on the social relationships between speakers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pronunciation<\/strong> \u2013 There are 10 vowels(!) and just 14 consonants. Yet double consonants (\u3132, \u3138, \u3143, \u3146, \u3149) sound subtly differently and can completely change a word\u2019s meaning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Word Order<\/strong> \u2013 Like Japanese, Korean uses a Subject-Object-Verb word order that can feel unnatural to English speakers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hungarian\">Hungarian<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Rounding out our list of the hardest languages to learn, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/learn-hungarian\/\">Hungarian<\/a> is a complex and beautifully expressive language entirely unrelated to English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Complex grammar<\/strong> \u2013 Hungarian is agglutinative, meaning the words are built from prefixes and suffixes that change meaning.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>No prepositions<\/strong> \u2013 In English, we would say <em>with a friend<\/em> or <em>from the store<\/em>. In Hungarian, instead of adding a preposition, word endings change to demonstrate these meanings \u2014 and there are 18 different endings to learn!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vowel harmony<\/strong> \u2013 Hungarian words change based on their vowel sounds, and endings must match the word\u2019s existing vowels. For example, the suffix meaning \u201cwith\u201d has different forms: h\u00e1zz<strong>al<\/strong> (with a house) and emberr<strong>el<\/strong> (with a person), depending upon the vowels in the root word.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-overcoming-challenges-in-learning-difficult-languages\">Overcoming Challenges in Learning Difficult Languages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tackling the hardest languages to learn is challenging but not an impossible task. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/the-pimsleur-method\/\">The Pimsleur Method\u2122<\/a> is designed to help you learn new languages the same way you learned your native tongue \u2013 by listening and speaking first. It encourages the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/best-ways-to-learn-a-language\/\">best ways to learn a language<\/a>, including immersing yourself in it through radio, TV, movies, and conversations. Rather than studying complicated grammar rules, you\u2019ll pick up structure and vocabulary through conversation-based learning.<br>No matter how hard your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/list-of-languages\/\">chosen language<\/a> may be, if you\u2019re excited about it \u2013 it\u2019s the best one for you to learn. Ready for a challenge? Pimsleur\u00ae makes it easier than you think!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Who doesn\u2019t love a challenge? Whether it&#8217;s climbing the highest mountain, solving the thorniest problem, or studying the hardest languages to learn \u2013 people enjoy pushing our limits. If you\u2019re a budding polyglot looking for a truly formidable language to tackle, you\u2019re in the right place.&nbsp; Let\u2019s explore the five hardest languages to learn for <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/the-hardest-languages-to-learn\/\">Read More >><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":29146,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29145","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-language-learning"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v26.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Hardest Languages For English Speakers To Learn<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the most difficult languages to learn for English speakers. From unfamiliar writing to complex rules, these languages push learners to their limits.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/the-hardest-languages-to-learn\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Hardest Languages to Learn\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover the most difficult languages to learn for English speakers. From unfamiliar writing to complex rules, these languages push learners to their limits.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/the-hardest-languages-to-learn\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Pimsleur Language Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Pimsleur\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Pimsleur\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-09-02T20:38:38+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-27T22:34:50+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/d3brn974kg3172.cloudfront.net\/2025\/09\/HardestLangAdobeStock_327325228.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Pimsleur Team\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@pimsleur\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@pimsleur\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Pimsleur Team\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/the-hardest-languages-to-learn\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/the-hardest-languages-to-learn\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Pimsleur Team\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/98c6f9415a3cecd214e80ad43f638e97\"},\"headline\":\"The Hardest Languages to Learn\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-09-02T20:38:38+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-27T22:34:50+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/the-hardest-languages-to-learn\/\"},\"wordCount\":993,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/the-hardest-languages-to-learn\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/d3brn974kg3172.cloudfront.net\/2025\/09\/HardestLangAdobeStock_327325228.jpeg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Language Learning\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/the-hardest-languages-to-learn\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/the-hardest-languages-to-learn\/\",\"name\":\"The Hardest Languages For English Speakers To Learn\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/the-hardest-languages-to-learn\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pimsleur.com\/blog\/the-hardest-languages-to-learn\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/d3brn974kg3172.cloudfront.net\/2025\/09\/HardestLangAdobeStock_327325228.jpeg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-09-02T20:38:38+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-27T22:34:50+00:00\",\"description\":\"Discover the most difficult languages to learn for English speakers. 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