10 Most Spoken Languages in Germany: A Complete Guide of the Languages of Germany

Germany isn’t only about German language. If you want to get closer to German culture, you have to know the most spoken languages in Germany.

You can get an idea of this topic if you watch this video from Easy German:

In this blog post, we’ll list everything you need to know about the most spoken languages in Germany and in other German-speaking countries.

Are you ready?!

1. German: Official language of Germany

German is the official language of Germany, spoken by over 95% of the population.

This West Germanic language has shaped German culture, literature, and scientific advancements for centuries.

German’s influence extends beyond borders, being an official language in several European countries. You can read more about German-speaking countries in our dedicated blog post.

German is important in education, business, and academia, with its complex grammar and famous compound words.

2. Turkish: The most spoken minority language in Germany

Turkish, with about 2.5 million speakers, is the second most spoken language in Germany.

The significant Turkish-speaking population resulted from the guest worker program of the 1960s and 1970s. Turkish culture has influenced German society, particularly in urban areas.

Turkish cuisine, music, and traditions have become integral to Germany’s cultural scenes, with Turkish-German artists contributing to literature, film, and music.

3. Russian: A growing sensation of foreign language

Russian is spoken by about 2.2 million people in Germany, with many speakers arriving after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Russian culture has impacted Germany through literature, music, and art.

Cities like Berlin have Russian-speaking communities, with Russian cultural centers, bookstores, and events contributing to Germany’s multicultural atmosphere.

Russian language skills are increasingly valued in business and academia, too, so it’s not a surprise that it’s one of the most spoken languages in Germany.

4. Polish: Language spoken in neighbouring country

Polish, spoken by approximately 2 million people in Germany, has some interesting historical roots as one of the most spoken languages in Germany.

Immigration occurred after World War II and in the post-communist era. Polish culture has influenced German society through food, literature, and shared historical experiences.

Cities near the Polish border often have strong cultural and economic ties with Poland, with bilingual education programs becoming more common in these regions.

5. Kurdish: One of the most spoken immigrant languages

Kurdish is spoken by an estimated 800,000 people in Germany, primarily refugees and their descendants from Turkey, Iraq, and Syria.

Despite not having an official homeland, the Kurdish community has preserved their language and culture within Germany. Kurdish cultural events, literature, and music.

6. Arabic: A growing linguistic influence

Arabic is spoken by around 750,000 people in Germany, with numbers increasing due to recent immigration.

Arabic-speaking communities have introduced new cultural elements to German society.

Many cities now host Arabic cultural festivals, and the demand for Arabic language courses has increased in universities and adult education centers.

7. Italian: A Mediterranean foreign language

Italian is spoken by approximately 600,000 people in Germany, with roots in the guest worker program of the 1950s and 1960s.

Italian culture also influenced German society, particularly in German cuisine, fashion, and lifestyle.

Italian restaurants, cafes, and cultural events are common throughout Germany, and German-Italian business relations have led to increased demand for Italian language skills in certain sectors.

8. Romanian: A growing foreign language in Germany

Romanian is spoken by about 500,000 people in Germany, with numbers growing since Romania joined the EU in 2007.

Romanian culture has brought new perspectives to Germany, influencing literature, music, and traditional crafts.

Romanian cultural associations often organize events to share their heritage, and Romanian workers have become an important part of different sectors in the German job market because it became one of the most spoken languages in Germany.

9. English: A global second language spoken at home or at work

English, while not native to Germany, is of course, a very popular spoken as a second language.

It’s the primary language for international business, tourism, and higher education.

English has influenced German culture through music, film, and literature.

Many German companies operate in English, and it’s taught in schools from an early age.

10. Greek: An Ancient Language in Modern Germany

Greek is spoken by approximately 300,000 people in Germany, with the community established primarily during the guest worker program of the 1960s.

Greek restaurants and cultural associations are common in many German cities.

The Greek language is valued in academic circles, with Ancient Greek still taught in some German high schools.

Learn any of the spoken languages in Germany with Conversation Based Chunking

You’re already getting closer to understanding German culture. But there’s more to explore!

Believe it or not, you can learn ANY of these languages with Conversation Based Chunking. What is it?

It’s a method that teaches you the language with the help of lexical chunks, and instead of focusing on teaching you the boring grammar rules and definitions, you learn the language by immersing yourself. So, you can learn Spanish, English, or any of the mentioned languages.

If you want to take a look behind the scenes, you can request your first German Conversation Based Chunking Guide for free. Just click this button below, and we’ll send you everything you need to take your first steps: an ultimate German chunking lists, the best resources to learn German, and you will even have access to our Full Practice Worksheet Library!