How Many Languages Do You Need to Know to Be a Polyglot?
These days, the word polyglot sounds exciting and even a little glamorous. On social media, people often call themselves polyglots after learning a second or third language. But what’s the reality? How many languages do you really need to know before you can confidently say: I’m a polyglot? And how well should you know them for it to count?
What Does “Polyglot” Actually Mean?
In general, most experts agree that you’re considered a polyglot if you speak four or more languages.
- Two languages = bilingual
- Three = trilingual
- Four or more = polyglot
Does “Hello and Thank You” Really Count?
Language skills can be broken into levels:
- Basic (A1–A2) — you can order coffee, say hello, and ask for directions. Tourist level.
- Intermediate (B1–B2) — you can have conversations on everyday topics, watch movies without dubbing, and even study or work in the language.
- Advanced (C1–C2) — you’re fluent, write complex texts, understand humor and cultural references.
How Do Experts Define It?
Linguists don’t fully agree, but here are some common views:
- Some say a polyglot is anyone who can hold a conversation at least at intermediate level (B1) in four or more languages.
- Others argue that a “true” polyglot should have at least one foreign language at an advanced (C1–C2) level, while the others can be intermediate.
- And then there are “hobby polyglots” — people who dabble in many languages but don’t take them to fluency. In that case, it’s more accurate to say, “I’m studying 5 languages”, not “I know 5 languages.”
What If You’ve Forgotten a Language?
Maybe you learned French or German years ago, but now you only remember a few words. Does it still count?
Here’s the honest rule: if you can’t at least hold a simple conversation, the language goes into your “passive knowledge” list. You may still understand some things, but you can’t really count it among your active languages.
Why Quality Matters More Than Quantity
- A person who “knows” 10 languages at the level of “hello, how are you?” isn’t really a polyglot.
- But someone who speaks just 3 languages well enough to live, study, or work in them is already rare and highly skilled.
How Do You Become a Polyglot?
- Focus on one language first and get it to a strong conversational level.
- Add the next one — building on what you already know makes learning easier.
- Learn through culture — movies, books, conversations with native speakers. That’s how language becomes natural.
- Practice actively — speaking, writing, and interacting is what makes a language truly yours.
The Bottom Line
Being a polyglot isn’t about collecting languages like stamps.
✅ A polyglot is usually someone who can communicate in four or more languages at a conversational level or higher.
✅ If you only know phrases, it’s better to say “I’m studying this language” than “I speak it.”
✅ What really matters is not the number, but the ability to connect with people, learn through culture, and use languages in real life.
At Native Speakers Courses, we don’t just teach grammar — we teach you culture, modern expressions, and real-life conversation. Want to take the first step toward becoming a polyglot?
Sign up for a free trial lesson with one of our native speakers today.