Easiest Languages for Travelers
Spanish
Widely spoken across 20 countries, phonetic spelling and many shared roots with English make basic Spanish quick to pick up.
French
A major global language with consistent pronunciation rules and tons of cognates, ideal for Europe and parts of Africa.
Italian
Simple phonetics and grammar, plus similarities to Spanish and French, make Italian a breeze for short stays.
Portuguese
Close to Spanish in vocabulary and structure, Portuguese opens doors in Brazil and Portugal with minimal extra effort.
Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia)
No verb conjugations or gendered nouns—its straightforward structure lets travelers learn useful phrases almost instantly.
Dutch
With many English cognates and regular grammar, Dutch is surprisingly accessible, especially for visits to the Netherlands and Belgium.
Norwegian
Simple verb forms, predictable pronunciation, and similarities to English and German make Norwegian one of the easiest in Scandinavia.