What Are the Top 20 Most Difficult Languages to Learn?
For Indian students planning to study abroad, understanding which languages are considered the hardest in the world is crucial. Mastery of a difficult language not only enhances your academic journey but can also significantly expand your global career prospects, especially in the fields of diplomacy, translation, and international business.
Top 10 Hardest Languages to Learn in the World (2025)
- Mandarin Chinese (汉语) – Tones & thousands of characters
- Arabic (العربية) – Complex script & dialects
- Japanese (日本語) – Three writing systems, politeness levels
- Hungarian (Magyar) – 18 cases & vowel harmony
- Korean (한국어) – Unique script, honorifics
- Finnish (Suomi) – Numerous cases & agglutination
- Polish (Polski) – Difficult pronunciation, grammar cases
- Russian (Русский) – Cyrillic script, grammar nuances
- Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) – Six tones, Latin-based script
- Thai (ไทย) – Multiple tones & script
Overview: Why Learn the Hardest Languages?
Learning a difficult language such as Mandarin, Japanese, Arabic, or Russian can open the door to top universities, government scholarships, and lucrative international job markets. However, the level of difficulty depends on your native language and learning style.
- Global demand for translators, linguists, and cross-cultural experts
- Enhanced career scope in international relations, tech, and business
- Increased opportunities for government-backed scholarships
- Improved chances of long-term migration or work visas
For more details, check the top 10 hardest degrees in the world to see how language programs compare.
Top Global Universities for Hardest Languages (2025)
| Language | Top University | Country | Degree | Duration (Years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mandarin Chinese | Peking University | China | BA / MA Chinese Studies | 3-4 |
| Japanese | The University of Tokyo | Japan | BA / MA Japanese Linguistics | 4 |
| Arabic | The American University in Cairo | Egypt | BA / MA Arabic Language | 4 |
| Hungarian | Eötvös Loránd University | Hungary | BA / MA Hungarian Studies | 3-4 |
| Korean | Seoul National University | South Korea | BA / MA Korean Language | 4 |
| Russian | Lomonosov Moscow State University | Russia | BA / MA Russian Philology | 4 |
If you’re interested in more comparative lists, see top universities in the world.
Eligibility, Entrance Exams, and Application Tips
Admission requirements vary by country and program. Most universities require proficiency in English (IELTS/TOEFL), or the target language, especially for advanced degrees.
- IELTS/TOEFL/PTE for English-taught courses
- HSK (Chinese), JLPT (Japanese), TOPIK (Korean), DELE (Spanish) entrance exams for specialized programs
- Academic transcripts and statements of purpose (SOP)
Explore the detailed IELTS exam guide or discover how to write a strong statement of purpose for global applications.
Fees & Scholarships for Indian Students (2025)
| Country | Tuition Range (INR/year) | Scholarship Programs |
|---|---|---|
| China | ₹2,50,000 – ₹6,00,000 | CSC Scholarships, Bilateral Exchange |
| Japan | ₹4,00,000 – ₹9,00,000 | MEXT, JASSO |
| Egypt | ₹1,80,000 – ₹4,50,000 | AUC Scholarships |
| South Korea | ₹3,00,000 – ₹7,00,000 | GKS, Seoul National Grants |
| Russia | ₹2,00,000 – ₹5,00,000 | Russian Government Scholarships |
For more funding options, review the international scholarships guide.
Visa Regulations and Study-Work Policies (2025)
Most countries offer study visas for full-time language programs and post-study work opportunities for graduates. Visa duration, part-time employment, and post-study policies differ by destination:
- China: Work up to 20 hours/week; 6-month post-study job search visa
- Japan: Up to 28 hours/week; extension possible after graduation
- South Korea: Apply for D-10 job seeker visa after studies
- Europe (Hungary, Finland, Poland): EU Blue Card & post-study work rights
Also read: Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World
Career Scope After Learning Difficult Languages
Graduates with advanced proficiency in the world's hardest languages can pursue careers across:
- Diplomatic services and embassies
- Translation, interpreting, and international journalism
- Global tech and business (e.g., MNCs, content localization)
- Academia, research, and teaching
Salaries typically start from ₹5-8 lakh/year for professional translators, with higher figures for specialists in Mandarin, Japanese, or Arabic. Fluency can also boost opportunities for immigration and business setup globally.
Choosing to master one of the hardest languages opens up a world of professional and academic opportunities for Indian students. Whether your goal is governmental work, global business, or academia, learning a challenging language can be the ultimate stepping stone to an international career and lifelong skills.
FAQs on The Hardest Languages in the World: Top Rankings for Students in 2025
1. What are the top 10 hardest languages in the world to learn?
The top 10 hardest languages to learn for most people, especially English speakers, are generally considered to be: Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Hungarian, Finnish, Polish, Vietnamese, Navajo, and Icelandic. These languages are challenging due to their complex grammar, unique writing systems, tones, or vocabulary compared to English.
2. What are the top 20 hardest languages in the world?
The top 20 hardest languages to learn often include: Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Korean, Hungarian, Finnish, Navajo, Icelandic, Polish, Vietnamese, Malay, Urdu, Estonian, Turkish, Thai, Georgian, Mongolian, Cantonese, Hebrew, and Basque. Each language presents unique challenges due to grammar, pronunciation, or writing systems.
3. What is the number one most learned language in the world?
English is the most learned language in the world, with over 1.5 billion learners globally. Its use as an international language for business, education, travel, and the internet makes it highly popular.
4. What are the top 5 most spoken languages in the world?
The top 5 most spoken languages in the world by native speakers are: 1. Mandarin Chinese, 2. Spanish, 3. English, 4. Hindi, and 5. Arabic. These languages have the largest number of native speakers worldwide.
5. Which language is the hardest in the world to learn?
Mandarin Chinese is widely considered the hardest language to learn for most non-native speakers due to its complex writing system, tonal pronunciations, and vast number of characters.
6. Is Malayalam the hardest language in the world?
Malayalam is recognized as one of the more difficult Indian languages due to its extensive script and unique sounds. However, it is not usually ranked as the single hardest language globally compared to Mandarin or Japanese.
7. What makes a language hard to learn for non-English speakers?
Factors that make a language hard for non-English speakers include: complex grammar rules, difficult pronunciation, unfamiliar writing systems, large sets of vocabulary, and numerous exceptions in usage.
8. Is Hungarian the hardest language in the world?
Hungarian is considered one of the hardest languages in Europe due to its unique vocabulary, complex case system, and agglutinative grammar. However, globally, languages like Mandarin and Japanese are often seen as more challenging overall.
9. What is the hardest language for Hindi speakers to learn?
Languages with different scripts and structures, such as Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic, are generally the hardest for Hindi speakers to learn. The lack of similarity in grammar, pronunciation, and alphabets adds to the difficulty.
10. Is English a difficult language to learn?
English can be difficult for learners due to its inconsistent spelling rules, large number of idioms, and diverse pronunciation patterns. However, compared to languages with complex scripts or tones, English is generally considered easier to acquire basic proficiency.
11. What are the hardest languages in the world ranked in order?
A common ranking from hardest to easier includes: 1. Mandarin Chinese, 2. Arabic, 3. Japanese, 4. Korean, 5. Hungarian, 6. Finnish, 7. Polish, 8. Navajo, 9. Vietnamese, 10. Icelandic. Difficulty can vary based on the learner's background.
12. What are some hardest languages to write and speak?
Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and Russian are among the hardest languages to write due to unique scripts or complex character sets. For speaking, Tonal languages like Mandarin and Vietnamese are challenging because they require precise pronunciation of tones.
