Stop asking "Which language is the hardest to learn?" – You've been asking the wrong question from the get-go
Before diving into language learning, many people get stuck on the same old question: Should I learn Chinese, Japanese, or Korean? Which one's actually the hardest?
Folks hit the internet, searching for all sorts of "difficulty rankings," watching gurus analyse grammar, pronunciation, and characters. It's like they're tackling a complex maths problem, trying to work out which path will take the least effort.
But let me tell you: This question, you've had it wrong from the very beginning.
Choosing a language is like picking a mountain you want to climb
Imagine learning a language is like choosing a mountain to ascend.
Someone tells you Mountain A has an easy path, and you can reach the summit in 600 hours. Mountain B is a bit steeper, taking 2200 hours. And Mountain C is a treacherous peak, possibly needing tens of thousands of hours.
Which would you pick?
Many people would subconsciously choose Mountain A because it's "the easiest." But what if you don't like the scenery along the way on Mountain A? No flowers or plants that stir your heart, no birds or animals that pique your curiosity? Can you really stick it out for those 600 hours? Chances are, every step will feel like a chore – boring and never-ending.
Now, consider Mountain C. Although it's high and challenging, the sunrise there is the view you've always dreamed of. The legends of the mountain fascinate you, and you can't wait to see the panorama from the summit.
At this point, the climb itself is no longer torture. You'll enthusiastically study the route, enjoy every moment of sweating, and even find joy in those rough, rocky paths. Because your heart is filled with light, and your eyes are set on the incredible view.
What truly drives you forward is "passion," not "ease"
Learning a language is the same. Those hundreds or thousands of hours of study time, in themselves, mean nothing. What truly matters is: what sustains you through all that long time?
Is it the K-dramas and K-pop idols you can't get enough of? Is it the Japanese anime and literature that get your blood pumping? Or is it Chinese history and culture that deeply captivates you?
This is the question you should really be asking yourself.
Stop getting hung up on which language has trickier pronunciation or more complex grammar. These are just the "terrain" along the way. As long as you're passionate enough about the "view," you'll always find a way to overcome the obstacles.
When you research song lyrics because you like a band, or actively look up new words because you want to understand a movie, learning stops being "study" and becomes the joy of discovery.
You'll find that those thousands of hours that once seemed out of reach have unconsciously accumulated as you binge-watch shows episode by episode and listen to songs one by one.
Don't let "difficulty" hijack your choice
So, forget those "difficulty rankings."
- Ask your heart: Which country's culture truly captivates you? Which country's films, music, food, or lifestyle gets you excited just thinking about it?
- Choose your passion: Just pick the one that resonates most with you. Don't be afraid if it's "hard," because passion will give you an endless supply of energy.
- Enjoy the journey: Make learning a part of your life. Tell yourself, loud and proud, that those 600 hours of anime you're watching aren't a waste of time, but immersive "Japanese practice."
The real reward isn't just adding "fluent in [language]" to your resume. It's the new world you open up for yourself in the process.
And when you're ready to start real conversations and want to make friends with people from that country, tools like Lingogram can give you a hand. It can translate your conversations in real-time, so you don't have to wait for the "perfect" day to start enjoying the fun of cross-language communication right away.
Ultimately, you'll realise that language isn't a fortress to be "conquered," but a bridge to "connect."
Now, go ahead and choose your mountain again – not the shortest one, but the one with the most beautiful view.