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Best language to learn after Hindi

Hindi opens the languages of South Asia, since they share vocabulary, grammar patterns and in some cases the script.

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Updated · by the 4ToSpeak team

5 languages to learn after Hindi, ranked

  1. 1. Urdu

    A lot carries over

    Spoken Hindi and Urdu are very close, and Urdu is written in a different script.

    Harder for English speakers · about 1,100 hours

    Learn Urdu · How long it takes

  2. 2. Nepali

    A lot carries over

    Written in Devanagari with many shared words, and the grammar is similar.

    Harder for English speakers · about 1,100 hours

    Learn Nepali · How long it takes

  3. 3. Marathi

    Some carries over

    Same script and many shared words, with different grammar.

    Harder for English speakers · about 1,100 hours

    Learn Marathi · How long it takes

  4. 4. Bengali

    Some carries over

    A related Indo-Aryan language with its own script and many shared words.

    Harder for English speakers · about 1,100 hours

    Learn Bengali · How long it takes

  5. 5. Punjabi

    Some carries over

    Related and mutually understandable to a degree in speech, with its own script.

    Harder for English speakers · about 1,100 hours

    Learn Punjabi · How long it takes

“Carries over” is a guide to how much vocabulary, grammar and sound you will recognise, not a measurement. Hours are for a native English speaker starting from zero; your head start will shorten them.

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FAQ

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What is the best language to learn after Hindi?

After Hindi, the best language to learn next is Urdu. Spoken Hindi and Urdu are very close, and Urdu is written in a different script. Nepali is the next best choice.

Which language is easiest to learn after Hindi?

Urdu is the easiest next step, with "a lot" carrying over. Based on difficulty bands for English speakers, it takes about 1,100 hours, and you start ahead because of Hindi.

Should I master Hindi before starting another language?

You do not need to master it. A comfortable conversational level (the point where you can hold a short chat without panic) is enough. Starting a similar language too early can blur the two together, so build a solid base first.

Can I learn Hindi and Urdu at the same time?

You can, but similar languages are easy to mix up. Most learners do better getting Hindi to a comfortable level and then adding Urdu, which will feel much faster than starting from scratch.

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