Stop Asking 'Which Language Is the Hardest to Learn?': You've Been Asking the Wrong Question From the Start.

Before many people even start learning a language, they often get stuck on one question: Chinese, Japanese, or Korean—which one is actually the hardest?

People flock to the internet, searching for various "difficulty rankings" and watching gurus break down grammar, pronunciation, and characters, as if they're solving a complex math problem, trying to calculate which path will require the least effort.

But I'm here to tell you: That question, from the very beginning, was wrong.

Choosing a Language is Like Choosing a Mountain You Want to Climb

Imagine this: learning a language is like choosing a mountain to climb.

Someone tells you Mountain A's path is flat, and you can reach the summit in 600 hours; Mountain B is a bit steeper, requiring 2,200 hours; and Mountain C is a perilous peak, possibly taking tens of thousands of hours.

How would you choose?

Many people would subconsciously choose Mountain A because it's "the easiest." But what if you don't like the scenery along Mountain A's path at all? What if there are no flowers or plants that capture your heart, no birds or beasts that pique your curiosity? Can you truly persevere through those 600 hours? Chances are, every step would feel like completing a chore—dull and endless.

Now, consider Mountain C. While it's very high and treacherous, the sunrise there is your dream view, the legends of the mountain captivate you, and you can't wait to see the scenery from the summit.

At this point, the climb itself is no longer torture. You'll enthusiastically study the route, enjoy every moment of breaking a sweat, and even find the rugged, stony paths filled with delight. Because there's a light in your heart and beauty in your eyes.

What Truly Drives You Forward Is 'Passion,' Not 'Simplicity'

Learning a language is the same. Those hundreds, even thousands, of hours of study time are meaningless in themselves. What truly matters is: what sustains you throughout this long journey?

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 the Chinese history and culture that deeply fascinate you?

This is the question you should truly be asking yourself.

Stop agonizing over which language has more tongue-twisting pronunciation or more complex grammar. These are merely the "terrain" along your path. As long as you're passionate enough about the "scenery," you'll always find a way to overcome the obstacles.

When you find yourself studying a band's lyrics because you love their music, or actively looking up new words because you want to understand a movie, learning ceases to be "learning" and becomes the joy of exploration.

You'll discover that those thousands of hours that once seemed unattainable have accumulated without you even realizing it—through your episode-by-episode binge-watching and song-by-song listening.

Don't Let 'Difficulty' Hijack Your Choice

So, forget those "difficulty rankings."

Ask your heart: Which country's culture captivates you the most? Is there a country whose movies, music, food, or lifestyle excite you the moment you think of them?
Choose your passion: Simply pick the one that resonates most deeply 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. Confidently tell yourself that the 600 hours of anime you watch aren't wasted time—they're immersive "Japanese practice."

The real reward isn't just adding another line to your resume saying "proficient in [language]," but rather, in the process, you've opened up a whole new world for yourself.

And when you're ready to start real conversations and 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 until the "perfect" day but can immediately start enjoying the fun of cross-language communication.

Ultimately, you'll understand that language isn't a fortress to be "conquered," but a bridge to "connect."

Now, re-choose your mountain—not the shortest one, but the one with the most beautiful scenery.