What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
multilingual
Example
She is multilingual and can speak English, Spanish, and French fluently. [multilingual: adjective]
Example
The city is known for its multilingual population, with many residents speaking both English and Spanish. [multilingual: noun]
trilingual
Example
He grew up in a trilingual household and can speak English, Spanish, and Mandarin fluently. [trilingual: adjective]
Example
The school offers a trilingual program in English, Spanish, and French. [trilingual: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Multilingual is a more common term than trilingual in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of language abilities beyond three.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between multilingual and trilingual?
Both multilingual and trilingual are neutral terms that can be used in formal and informal contexts.
