What is the world’s sexiest language?

Italian is the world’s sexiest language, according to Babbel’s new survey. Their study reveals that Italian has overtaken French as the most attractive language. The survey, which included responses from 6,000 people across the UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the US, highlights the musicality and expressive intonation of Italian as key factors in its appeal. Respondents described Italian as melodious, passionate, and romantic, contributing to its top position in global attractiveness. This shift marks a significant change in linguistic preferences, showcasing the timeless allure of Italian culture and language.

The language of love

French troubadours played a key role in the language’s association with love and romance. These noble, high-minded poets would travel the land, using lyric poetry delivered in Old Occitan to express wondrous and glorious tales of love (of the high-minded, respectful, wistful kind, naturally). Their messages were extremely popular and leant the French language a certain reputation as Occitan gradually blended with the language of the north of the country to move close to the French that we recognise today. 

In more modern times, Google Translate has highlighted French as the language of love, reporting that it is the most frequently used European language for translating romantic expressions. Indeed, “je t’aime” came second only to “bonjour” in terms of French translation requests. 

Overall, 34 of the top 1,000 most translated French phrases were about love. That was followed by Spanish, with 33 out of 1,000 phrases relating to love, while Russian, Italian and German brought up the ranks.  

Read more: Canadian French vs. European French

20 Sexiest languages in the world

Language has a unique power to captivate and enchant listeners. Certain languages, with their melodic tones, rhythmic intonations, and rich cultural backgrounds, stand out for their seductive allure. These languages evoke feelings of romance, mystery, and beauty, making them universally recognized as the sexiest languages in the world. Here are the top 20 languages that are considered the most attractive, and why they hold such irresistible charm.

1. Italian

Italian is known for its musicality and expressive intonation, which can sweep you off your feet. When you hear Italian spoken, you might feel like you're listening to a beautiful melody. The language's rhythmic flow and passionate delivery often feel like a serenade, making every word sound enchanting and romantic.

2. French

French is often referred to as the "language of love" due to its romantic sound and melodic quality. When you listen to French, you can sense its smooth and flowing nature, which adds to its elegance. The way French speakers articulate each word with a delicate and tender touch can make your heart flutter, adding to its irresistible charm.

3. Spanish

Spanish is celebrated for its passionate and rhythmic flow, which can captivate your senses. The lively and expressive manner in which Spanish is spoken adds a vibrant energy that feels contagious. Listening to Spanish can make you feel the warmth and passion embedded in the language, making it incredibly alluring. Read more: How to Say “I Love You” in 28 Different Languages

4. Portuguese (Brazilian)

The Brazilian dialect of Portuguese is often considered more melodious and sensual than its European counterpart. The musical intonation and warm, rhythmic cadence can transport you to the vibrant streets of Brazil. The language feels like a dance, full of life and rhythm, making every conversation sound like a beautiful song.

5 English (British)

The British accent, particularly the Received Pronunciation, is frequently found alluring. The clear, crisp enunciation and sophisticated tone can make you feel like you're in a classic movie. The way British English is spoken with such precision and grace can leave you spellbound, enhancing its overall appeal.

6. Arabic

Arabic's poetic and expressive nature, combined with its rich history, makes it highly attractive. When you hear Arabic, you can feel its fluid, resonant sounds weaving through the air like a beautiful tapestry. The language's intricate patterns and lyrical quality can make every conversation feel like a work of art, adding to its exotic allure.

7. Japanese

Japanese is known for its politeness and distinctiveness, which often intrigues and attracts many. The language's unique intonation and rhythmic quality can make you feel a sense of calm and curiosity. Listening to Japanese can feel like you're uncovering a beautiful secret, with each word revealing a new layer of charm and sophistication.

8. Irish Gaelic

Irish Gaelic's unique sound and cultural heritage significantly contribute to its appeal. The language's lyrical and lilting intonation can transport you to the rolling hills of Ireland. When you hear Irish Gaelic, you might feel a deep connection to its rich history and folklore, making it enchantingly attractive.

9. Russian

Russian is characterized by its strong, confident, and somewhat mysterious sound. The language's deep, resonant tones can make you feel a sense of strength and intrigue. Listening to Russian can be like hearing a powerful story being told, full of emotion and depth, adding to its magnetic allure.

10. Swedish

Swedish is known for its sing-song quality, which often charms listeners. The language's melodic intonation and smooth flow can make you feel like you're listening to a gentle lullaby. When you hear Swedish, you might find yourself swaying to its rhythm, captivated by its soothing and harmonious nature.

11. Greek

The historical and mythological significance of Greek adds to its charm and allure. The language's rhythmic and expressive nature can make you feel like you're listening to an ancient epic. When you hear Greek, you can sense the weight of its rich cultural heritage, making every word feel timeless and captivating.

12. Turkish

Turkish is known for its melodic and harmonious nature, making it appealing to many. The language's smooth, flowing sounds can make you feel like you're listening to a beautiful composition. The expressive intonation of Turkish can evoke a sense of warmth and hospitality, making it wonderfully attractive.

13. Hindi

Hindi's emotional expressiveness and cultural richness make it appealing. The language's rhythmic cadence and vibrant intonation can make you feel a deep connection to its cultural tapestry. Listening to Hindi can be like experiencing a colorful festival, full of life and emotion, adding to its captivating charm.

14. Hebrew

Hebrew's ancient and sacred quality adds to its allure. The language's rich, resonant tones can make you feel a sense of reverence and wonder. When you hear Hebrew, you might feel like you're part of a timeless tradition, with each word carrying a profound significance, making it enchantingly beautiful.

15. Korean

Korean's rhythmic and somewhat staccato sound makes it interesting and attractive. The language's unique intonation can make you feel a sense of excitement and curiosity. Listening to Korean can be like uncovering a fascinating story, with each phrase revealing a new layer of its dynamic charm. Read more: Korean Language: History, Origin, and Dialects

16. Dutch

Dutch has a guttural yet smooth sound that can be very appealing. The language's clear enunciation and rhythmic flow can make you feel a sense of clarity and sophistication. When you hear Dutch, you might find yourself drawn to its unique blend of strength and fluidity, making it intriguingly attractive.

17. Thai

The tonal and melodic nature of Thai makes it unique and charming. The language's distinctive tones can make you feel like you're listening to a beautiful song. When you hear Thai, you might be captivated by its musical quality and the way it flows like a gentle river, making it wonderfully enchanting.

18. Persian (Farsi)

Persian is known for its poetic and fluid sound, often considered very attractive. The language's melodious flow can make you feel like you're listening to a beautiful piece of poetry. When you hear Persian, you might feel a sense of romance and elegance, with each word painting a vivid picture, adding to its alluring charm.

19. Norwegian

Norwegian's lyrical and melodic quality makes it appealing to many. The language's smooth, flowing intonation can make you feel like you're listening to a gentle breeze. When you hear Norwegian, you might find yourself swaying to its rhythm, enchanted by its serene and harmonious nature.

20. Mandarin Chinese

Mandarin Chinese is known for its tonal and rhythmic nature, along with its cultural significance. The language's melodic tones can make you feel a sense of elegance and complexity. When you hear Mandarin, you might be drawn to its intricate structure and the way it flows like a beautiful symphony, making it highly attractive.

It’s all about the accent

Demand for translation is far from the only way to judge a language’s sexiness credentials. Dating site PlentyOfFish recently revealed the results of its analysis of the 50 million messages sent on its platform during the month of January 2017, as well as surveying 325 of their US-based users. The results found that men are most attracted to women who speak Dutch as a second language, while women are most attracted to men who can speak German. 

Another dating site – MissTravel – has just released its own survey results. Rather than focusing on second language speakers, the site looked at those who speak languages other than English as their first language – and thus have an accent when they speak English. In total, 1,164 American men responded to the survey. 

The MissTravel survey found that Hebrew came out on top in terms of the sexiest accent. Israeli actress Gal Gadot’s rise to fame as Wonder Woman is thought to have had quite an impact on the ranking. 

The Colombian accent took second place, having become familiar in many American homes thanks to Modern Family actress Sofia Vergara. Australian came next, with French ranking down in fourth place. 

The appeal of accents relates to the hint of worldliness that they bring with them. The speaker’s accent implies that he or she has seen and experienced things that the hearer has not – it delivers a thrill of the unknown. 

Final thoughts

Which do you think is the sexiest language? Does French or Hebrew top your list? And which is the ugliest language? Or do you think it is unfair to call any language ugly? Share your comments below – we look forward to hearing your thoughts.