What makes a language difficult to learn? 

Moving or studying abroad? One thing that can totally shape your experience is knowing the local language! Being able to chat and connect with people can definitely help with that homesickness. But hey, don’t stress if you’re not fluent—you can still survive! Plenty of people have lived abroad for years without mastering the local lingo, and they’re doing just fine. 

That said, if you’re planning a move and haven’t even started learning the language, you might hit a few bumps along the way. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! 

In this blog, we’ll break down why some languages are way harder to pick up than others. 

What makes a language hard to learn? 

Everyone’s got their own take on what makes a language difficult, but there are a few factors that play a big role. Here’s the scoop: 

Native language base 

Fun fact: The closer a language is to the one you already speak, the easier it is to pick up. Why? Because they’re from the same language family! There are about six major language families around the world. 

For example, here are a few: 

• Germanic languages: English, German, Danish, Swedish 

• Romance languages: Spanish, French, Italian, Romanian 

• Sino-Tibetan languages: Chinese, Burmese 

Think about it—kaffee in German sounds like coffee in English. That’s why German or Dutch is easier for English speakers, but might be trickier for someone who speaks Vietnamese or Portuguese. 

Geography can also help. If you speak Chinese or Korean, Japanese might not be as hard since they share similar structures. 

Amount of material and speakers available 

So, Afrikaans only takes about 720 hours to become proficient—sounds easy, right? But here’s the twist: it’s often considered harder than Japanese for some. Why? It’s all about the resources! With popular languages like Japanese, Chinese, English, French, Spanish, German, or Korean, you’ll find tons of materials online or in classes. 

And why are these languages so popular? Well, it could be the sheer number of people speaking them or, more likely, cultural influences. Like, who hasn’t been tempted to learn Japanese after binge-watching anime? Or Korean thanks to K-pop? And if you live near a Spanish-speaking country, you’ll definitely feel the influence! All these factors make a language easier—or harder—to learn based on its popularity. 

Tones & pitch systems 

Take Mandarin, for example. It operates on a tone system with four distinct tones. Sounds easy, right? Wrong! A small mispronunciation could turn “buy” (mǎi) into “sell” (mài). Big oops! 

Or, take the phrase sòng zhōng which can mean “gifting a clock” or “burying a parent.” Quite a shift! So, yeah, tones are no joke.. 

Tricky sounds 

Some languages, like Spanish, are relatively easy to pronounce with only about 24 phonemes. But then you’ve got French, with 36 sounds, making things a bit more challenging. If your native language doesn’t have certain sounds, things get tricky. 

For example, Japanese speakers have no “L” sound, so they replace it with “R.” That’s why “lost” might become “rost” when learning English—it’s a whole learning curve! 

Complex writing systems 

Reading is key when learning any language. Most languages have alphabets with around 20-40 characters, making them fairly easy to grasp. But some languages don’t work this way. Take Japanese—arguably one of the most complicated writing systems. You have two syllabaries (hiragana and katakana) plus thousands of characters (kanji) to memorise. That’s a lot of brain power! 

Sure, Kanji shares many similarities with Mandarin, so Chinese speakers might recognise the characters. However, they’ll still need to learn the different pronunciations, making it a double challenge! 

Grammar rules from another dimension 

Now, let’s talk grammar! Some languages have strict rules, tons of tenses, and sentence structures that may seem like they came from another dimension. For example, are there gender-related words? Do verbs follow irregular patterns? If you’ve got a language with quirky grammar, prepare for a lot of memorising! 

All these factors add up to determine how tough learning a new language will be. But hey, challenge accepted, right? 

Not all languages have perfect translations

A common rookie mistake when learning a new language is expecting perfect translations for everything. Spoiler alert: there aren’t! While you might start out translating things in your head, the goal is to eventually think and speak in the new language without going back to your native one. That’s the dream, but many learners, even after years, never quite get there. Sometimes you can nail a translation that’s nearly identical in meaning and tone, but other times, it’s just not possible. You’ll need to express yourself in a completely different way. 

Take Inuit, for example—they have 52 words for snow and ice. Meanwhile, in Mandarin, you’ve probably only got one word for snow and one for ice. Why? Because the Inuit environment is all about snow and ice, so they need those distinctions. But if you’re from a tropical or temperate zone, you’re not going to have an exact translation for those variations. Words only have the meanings we give them based on our surroundings! 

Your motivation matters!

Here’s the thing: the number one factor in learning a language isn’t how tricky it is—it’s motivation. Yes, it’s totally possible to master any language, even the so-called “difficult” ones. But, if you’ve got that drive, you’re already halfway there! 

And guess what? Your environment plays a huge role, too. Imagine learning Spanish in Spain where you’re surrounded by it all day—speaking, reading, and listening. Compare that to taking a class for a few hours a week in the UK. Who do you think will pick it up faster? Yep, immersion makes a big difference. 

By the numbers…

Let’s be real—the faster you learn, the better you feel! Some languages only take about 720 hours to become proficient, while the tougher ones might require 2,760 hours. If you do the math, you could learn three easy languages in the time it takes to master just one tough one.  

But hey, it’s not a race! If you’re not motivated, even an “easy” language will feel like climbing a mountain. 

A few fun ways to pick up languages faster 

No magic shortcuts here, but guess what? You can definitely speed up your language journey with a few clever tricks. Ready? Let’s roll! 

Attend classes 

Sure, classes might sound like a yawn fest, but they actually have perks! Most require about 1.5 to 3 hours a day, so you’ll be reading, writing, and speaking consistently. Plus, the structured syllabus helps you work toward those snazzy proficiency exams and certifications! 

Try language apps 

Apps like Duolingo or Babbel are a blast for bite-sized lessons on the go. They’re usually cheaper than full-on classes, but here’s the catch—you’ve got to be your own boss. Discipline is key! So, channel your inner drill sergeant and get swiping through those vocab lists. 

Immerse yourself 

Want to level up faster? Dive into the culture! Binge-watch local shows, jam out to music, or scroll social media in your target language. You’ll start translating words to your own language, but soon enough, you’ll be picking things up way quicker than you expected. 

Think in the language 

Fun fact: most of us start by translating in our heads—totally normal. But the secret sauce? Start thinking in the language! Once your brain shifts gears, you’ll see progress speed up like crazy. 

Buddy up 

Nervous about practicing in the wild? Find a language buddy or join an exchange group. Trying to chat in a new language while doing everyday stuff like grocery shopping or getting a haircut can be intimidating,  but with a friend by your side, there’s way less pressure—and a lot more fun!

So get out there and start chatting away! 

Before you go… 

We hope this gives you a better understanding of why some languages are trickier to learn than others. 

Remember, moving or studying abroad is a huge step outside your comfort zone. It’ll be an adventure full of challenges, but if you stay honest about your abilities, open to change, and flexible enough to adapt, you’ll thrive! 

And if you’ve already landed that overseas job or study spot, don’t forget to manage your money wisely with Instarem. With no hidden fees and great exchange rates, we make sending money back home a breeze.  

Download the app or sign up here for your next transfer! 

*Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. All details are accurate at the time of publishing. Instarem has no affiliation or relationship with products or vendors mentioned.