Able to communicate in three languages, or presented in three languages.
Reach for it when stating a three-language capability while making the level of proficiency clear where relevant
The trilingual mediator moved between Romanian, Hungarian, and English without losing the speakers' tone.
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional |
|
| formal | |
| literary |
everyday
three-language
Fits when a publication or service appears in three languages
Careful Three-language sounds mechanical when describing a person's ability.
warm
linguistically versatile
Fits when flexible communication deserves broad praise
Careful The phrase is vague and may overstate fluency.
professional
Fits when three or more languages are involved and the exact number is secondary
Careful Multilingual loses the precise count of three.
formal
polyglot
Fits when an individual knows several languages and an erudite label fits
Careful Polyglot is usually a noun and does not specify exactly three.
literary
three-tongued
Fits when poetic expression is intentionally archaic
Careful Three-tongued can sound unnatural or objectifying in current prose.
trilingual guide
A trilingual guide welcomed each tour in the visitors' chosen language.
trilingual edition
The trilingual edition prints all three texts on facing pages.
trilingual speaker
The trilingual speaker interpreted the safety briefing accurately.
Keep in mind
Trilingual does not by itself specify fluency, literacy, or equal proficiency across all three languages.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated
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