According to the Ethnologue, there are approximately 7,000 languages spoken today. However, a few languages dominate the communication landscape, with over a billion Speaking each. Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, English, Hindi, and Arabic.
Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world, with over 1.3 billion speakers. It is the official language of China and Taiwan and is also spoken in Singapore. Spanish is second with over 470 million speakers, followed by English with 360 million speakers. Hindi has over 310 million speakers, and Arabic has over 240 million speakers.
When tallied according to several native speakers only, these are the most spoken languages in the world.
Here Are The Most Spoken Languages In The World 2020
10. Lahnda (Western Punjabi) — 118 Million Native Speakers
Lahnda, also known as Western Punjabi, is spoken by over 118 million people worldwide. It is the most commonly spoken language in Pakistan and India and is also used in other parts, including the United Kingdom and Canada. Lahnda is one of 22 scheduled languages in India and is recognized as an official language in Punjab Province. While it shares similarities with Hindi and Urdu, Lahnda has unique grammar and vocabulary.
9. Japanese — 128 Million Native Speakers
According to the Ethnologue, Japanese is the most spoken language globally, with 128 million native speakers. It is also an official language in Japan, along with English. The language has been influenced by both Chinese and European languages, which has resulted in a unique writing system that combines three scripts: hiragana, katakana, and kanji.
8. Russian — 153 Million Native Speakers
Russian is the most widely spoken Slavic language globally, with over 153 million native speakers. It is the official language of Russia and Belarus and is also expressed in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Russian is a complex language for English speakers, but it is worth the effort because of its rich culture and history.
7. Portuguese — 220 Million Native Speakers
The Portuguese language is the sixth most spoken language globally, with 220 million native speakers. It is a Romance language that originated in Portugal and is now spoken in countries worldwide. Portuguese is the official language of nine countries and an official or co-official language in another six. It is also one of the working languages of the European Union.
6. Bengali — 228 Million Native Speakers
According to a study by Ethnologue, Bengali is the seventh most spoken language globally, with over 228 million native speakers. It is principally spoken in Bangladesh and India and has significant populations in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. The language has a rich literary history and is known for its poetic traditions. Bengali is also an important language for business and commerce in the region.
5. Arabic — 315 Million Native Speakers
Arabic is spoken by 315 million people as their native language, making it the fifth most spoken language globally. It is mainly used in North Africa and the Middle East, but significant Arabic-speaking communities are also in Europe and North America. The language has a rich history and culture that is thousands of years old.
4. Hindi — 341 Million Native Speakers
Hindi is the tenth most spoken language globally, with 341 million native speakers. Its origins can be traced back to the early second millennium BC, and it is now the predominant language in India. While Hindi is not an official language in many countries, it is one of the six official languages of the United Nations.
Hindi has a rich literary history and is used in various mediums, including newspapers, radio, television, and film. There are also several dialects of Hindi, which can vary significantly depending on location. Despite its widespread use, Hindi is not without controversy; some argue that it is difficult to learn and lacks the nuance of other languages.
3. English — 379 Million Native Speakers
When it comes to the most spoken languages globally, English is unsurprisingly at the top of the list. With a staggering 379 million native speakers, it’s far ahead of any other language. Spanish is a distant second with around 329 million speakers, and Chinese comes third with around 885 million speakers.
These figures will likely change by 2020, as Mandarin Chinese is quickly gaining ground. It’s estimated that by 2020, 1.1 billion people will speak Mandarin as their first language. This means that Chinese will soon overtake English as the most spoken language globally.
2. Spanish — 460 Million Native Speakers
Spanish is in a league of its own when it comes to the world’s most spoken languages. With over 460 million native speakers, it’s the second most spoken language globally, after Chinese. Spanish is also one of the official languages of the United Nations.
Spanish is a Romance language that evolved from Vulgar Latin. It’s spoken in Spain and throughout Latin America, and parts of the United States. There are numerous dialects of Spanish, but all share common roots.
Spanish is a valuable language to learn because so many people worldwide speak it. It’s also relatively easy for English speakers due to its similarities with English. If you’re interested in learning Spanish, there are plenty of resources available online and in your local community.
1. Chinese — 1.3 Billion Native Speakers
Did you know that Mandarin is the most spoken language globally, with over 1.3 billion native speakers? It’s also the official language in China, Taiwan, and Singapore. In addition to Mandarin, other languages have a high number of speakers. Spanish comes in second with over 511 million native speakers, followed by English with 377 million. Hindi has about 350 million native speakers, and Bengali has about 210 million. These are just a few of the most spoken languages in the world.