which language is easier to learn - Italian or Russian?

Question

I speak English and German fluently...

also, which do you find more useful once learned...

Answer 1

English is a Germanic language, which is one reason why German is easy for English-speakers to learn.

Italian is a Romance language; it shares many features in common with Latin, Spanish, French, and Romanian. Some of the grammar and vocabulary we use in English comes from these languages.

Russian is a Slavic/Cyrillic language. Not only does it share traits with Polish, Ukrainian, Latvian, etc., but it uses some different letters and affords different sounds to some of the letters with which you’re familiar.

Therefore, Italian will be easier for you to learn, especially if you have already studied Latin, French, or Spanish.

However, although Italian is a beautiful language and studied by many, Italy isn't known as a major hub for business or political interests. Russia, though, is regarded as dominant among Slavic-speaking countries. A lot of business goes on in that country and it's important from a political viewpoint (especially by democratic governments that see the rights of Russians being slowly eroded). On the other hand, there are many former employees of the government who studied Russian b/c of the Cold War, thus diluting the job market.

If you main reason for studying Italian is b/c you love the culture/food/language/people and you want something easier, choose Italian.

If your main reason for studying Russian is b/c you love the culture/food/language/people and you want a language that will be valued by an employer, choose Chinese (or Arabic).

Answer 2

It depends on many factors. Motivation is the most important according to my opinion. If you have a strong motivation then the learning would be easier.

The structure of sentence in Russian, Italian, English and German are more or less similar, all are indoeuropean languages. Quite different is for example Hungarian.

The vocabulary of English/German is more overlapping with Italian than with Russian. But there are some Russian words which you already understand, for example БУТЕРБРΟΤ (buterbrot).

But you see, the script is different.

I recommend you to learn that language for which you have stronger motivation.

Answer 3

Italian wouldn't be hard for you. When I was in college a lot of latinas took Italian because it was easy but new enough to not be a bore. If you're in college, check out what kinds of stipends and grants the Russian program has. Since the Cold War the interest for learning Russian has dropped but a lot of the funds are still sitting there unused. You might get a free trip overseas or a paid internship. EDIT: So learning Russian might be easier, ultimately, if someone else is paying for your immersion experience.

Answer 4

Well, if u speak Germany fluently, Italian will be the easier for u. Both are useful, the more languages u know the better for u in different aspects in your life!

Answer 5

Italian,creo que si, should be easier since Slavic subfamily languages are more different,difficult and complicated from an English or German viewpoint and than the Romance language of Italian. Russian also has a different alphabet,the Cyrillic

Answer 6

I'd say Italian. It's a Romance language, and many of their words will be easily recognizable by English-speakers.

Russian uses the Cyrillic alphabet, where the use P for R and H for N. You'd not only be learning a new language, but a new alphabet as well!

Answer 7

Easier, Italian, no doubt.
More useful, that is a little more difficult, Italian is used in very few places. Russian, now with the extinction of the CAME , it is not so useful either

Answer 8

Italian is easier to learn because their language is in the same category of Spanish. Once you master Italian it will very easy for you to understand just about any language in that relationship. God Bless

Answer 9

Italian, Russian is often called the hardest language in the world to learn and speak.

Answer 10

Italian by far. Most of the romance languages are the easieast to learn, and they are a CAT I language.

German falls under CAT II and Russian is CAT III. CAT IIII languages would be Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Arabic.

CAT I is easiest and CAT IIII is most difficult of course.