Linguists highlight several factors that influence how difficult a language is to learn:

1. Grammar — number of cases, tenses, conjugations, and exceptions.
2. Phonetics — how difficult the sounds are to pronounce.
3. Writing system — whether it uses a simple alphabet or a complex character system.
4. Logic and structure — how different the syntax is from the learner’s native language.
5. Cultural context — idioms, metaphors, and communication norms.

For example, Russian speakers often find English relatively accessible, while Chinese or Japanese appear far more challenging.
For native English speakers, Russian or Arabic can seem overwhelming due to complex grammar systems.

The Most Difficult Languages in the World

1. Chinese (Mandarin)

Why it’s difficult:

• Tonal pronunciation changes meaning entirely.
• Tens of thousands of characters to memorize.
• A grammar system very different from Indo-European languages.

Interesting aspect:
Mandarin grants access to one of the world’s oldest cultures and fastest-growing global economies.
Fun fact: One of the most complex Chinese characters is 龘 (dá) with 48 strokes, meaning “a group of dragons.”

2. Japanese

Why it’s difficult:

• Three writing systems: hiragana, katakana, kanji.
• Politeness levels change sentence structure.
• Many homophones and subtle meaning differences.

Interesting aspect:
Japanese reflects the cultural values of harmony, precision, and respect. It also plays a major role in technology, design, and modern pop culture.

3. Korean

Why it’s difficult:

• Sentence structure differs significantly (Subject–Object–Verb).
• Numerous speech levels and honorific forms.
• Particles modify meaning in nuanced ways.

Interesting aspect:
The alphabet Hangul is considered one of the most scientifically designed writing systems in the world.

4. Russian

Why it’s difficult for foreigners:

• Six grammatical cases and complex verb aspects.
• Many irregularities and flexible word order.
• Stress patterns are unpredictable.

Interesting aspect:
Russian is known for its expressive richness and poetic depth. It is also one of the official languages of the UN.

5. Arabic

Why it’s difficult:

• A completely different writing system, written right to left.
• Wide variation between spoken dialects and Classical Arabic.
• Unique word-formation patterns rooted in consonant clusters.

Interesting aspect:
Arabic opens access to centuries of philosophy, poetry, and cultural heritage, as well as modern economic and diplomatic opportunities.

6. Finnish

Why it’s difficult:

• 15 grammatical cases.
• Complex morphology and long compound words.
• Many meanings are conveyed through endings rather than prepositions.

Interesting aspect:
Finnish belongs to a rare language family, making it sound distinct from most European languages.

7. Hungarian

Why it’s difficult:

• Unique grammatical structure with 18 cases.
• Vocabulary unrelated to most European languages.
• One word can contain the meaning of an entire phrase in English.

Interesting aspect:
Hungarian is admired by linguists for its structural clarity and inner logic.

So Which Language Is Truly the Most Difficult?

Linguists often name Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic among the hardest languages globally.
However, the real answer depends on your native language:



According to the U.S. Foreign Service Institute, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Arabic require about 2,200 hours of study for an English speaker to reach fluency.

Can You Learn a “Difficult” Language?

Yes. The key is consistent immersion and communication with native speakers.

What truly works:

• Regular speaking practice
• Listening and reading in the original language
• Learning through context, not memorization
• Gradual exposure to cultural meanings

With the right approach, any language becomes achievable.

Try a Free Lesson With a Native Speaker

If you want to see whether Japanese, Chinese, Arabic or another “difficult” language is really as challenging as people say, try a free trial lesson at Native Speakers Courses.
During the trial lesson:

• You will start speaking from the very first minutes.
• You’ll learn how to study a language naturally, without stress.
• You’ll receive a personalized learning plan tailored to your level and goals.

Sign up for a free lesson and discover how learning with native speakers makes any language easier.