New study ranks the hardest languages to learn in 2026
French viewed as most romantic while Portuguese rated friendliest
DUBAI – Learning a new language can be both challenging and rewarding, particularly when its sounds, structure and writing system differ greatly from one’s native tongue. While some languages are considered easier to grasp, others present steeper learning curves for beginners.
A new global survey has now highlighted which languages people perceive as the most complex to master.
Research by Preply, the human-led language learning app, surveyed 3,608 respondents across the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and Japan. The study examined how ten major global languages are emotionally perceived, revealing how people commonly associate them with traits such as romance, friendliness, practicality and complexity.
The findings suggest that rhythm, sound patterns and familiarity significantly influence how languages are perceived, shaping whether they are considered elegant, welcoming or difficult to learn.
Most complex language
When respondents were asked which languages feel the most complex, Mandarin Chinese ranked first by a wide margin, receiving 46 percent of the vote.
| Rank | Language | Votes |
| 1 | Chinese (Mandarin) | 46% |
| 2 | Japanese | 40% |
| 3 | Korean | 40% |
| 4 | Arabic | 31% |
Much of Mandarin’s perceived difficulty stems from its tonal pronunciation system, where slight changes in pitch can completely alter the meaning of a word. The language also relies on a character-based writing system rather than an alphabet, requiring learners to memorise thousands of symbols.
Japanese ranked second with 40 percent of votes. Its complexity is often linked to its intricate writing system, which combines three scripts: hiragana, katakana and kanji. Hiragana and katakana function as phonetic systems with around 46 characters each, while kanji incorporates a vast set of characters derived from Chinese.
Korean followed closely in third place, also receiving 40 percent of votes, while Arabic ranked fourth with 37 percent. Arabic is frequently considered challenging for learners unfamiliar with its structure because it is written from right to left and includes sounds that are uncommon in many European languages.
Linguistics experts say such perceptions often arise not because a language is inherently harder, but because its patterns differ significantly from what learners already know.
Melissa Baese-Berk, Associate Professor of Linguistics, explained that complexity often comes from unfamiliarity rather than genuine difficulty. She noted that focusing on one foundational element at a time can make learning a new language far more manageable.
Sound stereotypes
The research also explored how languages are emotionally perceived based on their sound.
German emerged as the language most often described as harsh-sounding, selected by 30 percent of respondents. Arabic followed closely behind at 28 percent.
German was also the language most associated with power, with 16 percent of respondents linking it to authority and strength. These perceptions create an overall image of structure and dominance rather than warmth or musicality.
Psychologist Francisco Rivera, Clinical Manager at Unobravo, explained that people rarely hear languages neutrally. Rhythm, tone and familiarity can shape emotional reactions even before listeners understand a single word.
According to Rivera, languages with fluid and melodic sound patterns are often perceived as warm or romantic, while unfamiliar sounds can feel abrupt simply because they fall outside what listeners are accustomed to hearing.
Most romantic language
The survey also ranked languages based on how people emotionally associate them with romance, friendliness and practicality.
| Rank | Language | Votes |
| 1 | French | 54% |
| 2 | Italian | 43% |
| 3 | Spanish | 22% |
| 4 | Portugese | 15% |
| 5 | English | 10% |
| 6 | Japanese | 8% |
| 7 | Arabic | 8% |
| 8 | German | 7% |
| 9 | Korean | 7% |
| 10 | Chinese (Mandarin) | 4% |
French secured a clear lead as the world’s most romantic language for 2026, receiving 54 percent of votes. Italian followed in second place at 43 percent, while Spanish ranked third with 22 per cent. Portuguese placed fourth with 15 percent.
Most welcoming language
When it comes to friendliness, Portuguese topped the list with 34 percent of respondents describing it as the most welcoming language. Spanish followed closely at 33per cent, with Italian ranking third at 26 percent.
German ranked lowest in this category, selected by just 7 percent of participants.
Most practical language
English, meanwhile, was widely viewed as the most practical language worldwide. A total of 41 percent of respondents identified English as the most useful language for communication, far ahead of Spanish at 10 percent.
What this means for language learners
The research also found that language can influence personal expression. Nearly six in ten multilingual respondents, or 59 percent, said they express different sides of their personality depending on the language they are speaking.
Researchers note that such emotional perceptions can shape the way people approach language learning, sometimes creating barriers even before the learning process begins.