Summary
There are a lot of different facets to building a character inDungeons & Dragons. Class, weapons, and even species of your character are just a few things that you’ll want to make choices about. It can be a long process, but an enjoyable one at that.
Towards the end of your character-building adventure, you’ll want to pick something that many overlook at first. That is what languages you’ll want your character to know. Depending on your other choices, you may know one, or a handful of languages. Regardless, it can be a hard choice to pick from a wide range of languages. Let’s take a look at which ones can be the most useful.
Updated July 22, 2025, by Zackary WIggs:With the 2024 update of Dungeons & Dragons on the horizon, there has never been a better time to create your first (or 50th) character. Sure, you have to pick out class, background, and even weapons, but don’t forget about the subtlety of different languages. Now this list has been updated to show just how important those languages are, and with some options that you may not have first considered adding to your character. Just ensure to stay fluent.
14Elvish
A Go-To Language
Elvish is a common language choice, but one that is common for a good reason. Elves are probably going to be one of the main species you’ll come across on your adventures.
While there’s a good chance many will know common as well, this may not always be the case, as is the same with many other languages. The fey also commonly use elvish as their written language, which means you may at least pass notes back and forth with any fey you meet.
Just make sure not to write down your name for them.
13Regional Languages
People From Far And Wide
Depending on the size of your campaign, your characters may explore distant lands. Your GM, in turn, may choose to separate Common into various regional languages. If this is the case, knowing one from a far-off land may come in handy.
The key for this one is discussing what your campaign map looks like prior to session one. This makes a regional language your ace in the hole for a chance encounter. If not, you can still learn a regional language later on in the game, after some studying of course.
12Goblin
A Common Enemy
As the name suggests, the Goblin language is used by goblins, hobgoblins, bugbears and similar species across the realms. Learning the goblin language can be a boon for any adventurer for a handful of reasons.
First,goblins are a common D&D enemy. Knowing this, it’s best to have someone in the party who can communicate with them to potentially avoid conflict. It also shares a written language with dwarvish, which is a boon considering dwarves, goblins, gnomes, and giants all use the same base written language.
11Dwarvish
From Under The Mountains
During your travels, you are almost always going to run into a dwarf from time to time, and they may not always know common. Even if they do, dwarves are a proud sort, and knowing their ancestral language could get you some extra pull with them.
Their written language has also spread far and wide, being the base-written language for goblins, giants, and gnomes as well. So, by knowing dwarvish, you’ll have a wealth of knowledge, at least where books and such are concerned.
10Infernal
Like A Bat Out Of The Nine Hells
While not a common language, knowing infernal can be a definite lifesaver depending on the situation your party finds themselves in. Infernal is the primary language of devils. While you may not want to get involved with any of the denizens of the nine hells, many who do often don’t have a choice in the matter.
If there’s one thing worse than meeting a devil, it’s meeting one who is scheming in a language you don’t understand. It can also be a cool language for those with tiefling lineage for an extra bit of spice.
9Giant
Big Words, Big Folk
you’re able to find giants all over the various realms of D&D. This makes learning giant as a language a pretty solid choice if you have the chance to do so.
Ogres also use this as their primary language, which helps if you enter into one of their lairs and want to try and escape without bloodshed. This language makes a good choice for Druids and Rangers, as many speakers of the giant language can be found in places less touched by society.
8Sylvan
A Natural Choice
While trips to the Feywild may be rare, it always helps to know what those who call it home are saying should your party wind up there. Sylvan is the local language for that plane of existence, so it may help to use a language slot to learn this one.
It is rather focused, you won’t be using it as much as Dwarvish of Elven, but it pays for itself after one use. Best not to upset a season’s court by chancing a translator. It can also make sense for Druids and Rangers to pick this language as well for the connection to nature it comes with.
7Undercommon
Underdark Conversationalists
There’s a whole world beneath your feet. Yes, the underdark might be a dangerous and foreboding place, butthere are rare goodsand adventures for those who dare to explore the area.
Undercommon is nearly a must-have for those who wish to explore the underdark. How else will you hope to survive it, let alone get a good deal with those who set up shop down there? It may not be a language that you often use, but it pays to have someone know it on those few occasions when you need it.
6Primordial
Speak With Elementals
Primordial is a rare language to be sure, unless, of course, you find yourself on one ofthe elemental planes of existence. Primordial is the go-to language for elementals, and often giants choose to speak this language due to their connection with the elemental planes as well.
This language also shares a written script with dwarvish, which is helpful. verify to pick this up for anyone who has an interest in exploring the planes.
Planar travel is more and more likely the higher level your party gets. Don’t grab this language too late.
5Draconic
Now All You Need Is A Dungeon
It wouldn’t be Dungeons & Dragons without… well, dragons of course. These revered beings are as deadly as they are wise. So it can pay off to be able to understand them.
You are probably going torun into a dragonat some point, especially later on as you level up in your adventuring. While fighting them is one thing, speaking with them is a better way to walk away without being burnt to a crisp. They live long lives, and may have knowledge to impart onto you if you may strike a deal with them.
