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In this blog post, I carefully answer the question what languages does Alexa speak, with a table of supported languages, dialects, and a nod to the new Alexa+ AI.
The Right Voice for Your Home
No smart assistant supports all 6,000+ languages spoken globally, but Amazon continues expanding support through the Alexa app, multilingual mode, and regional updates shared across the Amazon Alexa users group and US device forums.
Mordor Intelligence’s research highlights continued growth, reinforcing the importance of language and dialect support.
If you are pressed for time, here’s the short answer:
Amazon Alexa speaks English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Hindi, Japanese, Portuguese, Dutch, and Arabic, with dialects varying by region and device. Language options depend on Alexa app settings, multilingual mode support, and hardware like Echo Buds, so accents and features may differ across Alexa-enabled devices.
How Many Languages Can Alexa Speak?
As of now, when people ask what languages does Alexa speak, the short answer is ten unique languages, with multiple regional dialects available for select languages such as English, Spanish, and French. Support varies by region, device, and account settings, and Amazon continues to expand language coverage as Alexa and Alexa+ evolve.
If you’d prefer to watch a video on this topic, check out this overview from fellow smart home enthusiast One Hour Smart Home:
What Languages Are Available on Alexa?
At the time of this article, Amazon Alexa can speak English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Hindi, Japanese, Portuguese, Dutch, and Arabic. These languages and their available dialects can be seen in the chart below.
Language Support and Dialects
Below is a clear breakdown for anyone researching what languages does Alexa speak, including supported dialects by region.
| Language | Supported | Dialects |
|---|---|---|
| English | ✔ | US, UK, Australia, Canada, India |
| Spanish | ✔ | Spain, Mexico, US |
| French | ✔ | France, Canada |
| German | ✔ | Base language only |
| Italian | ✔ | Base language only |
| Hindi | ✔ | Base language only |
| Japanese | ✔ | Base language only |
| Portuguese | ✔ | Brazil |
| Dutch | ✔ | Base language only |
| Arabic | ✔ | Base language only |
Amazon maintains a handy list of supported languages and dialects on its developer documentation pages, along with guidance on international Alexa devices and a breakdown of supported Alexa features by country.
How to Change Amazon Alexa’s Language
If you’re setting up an Echo Show in the kitchen or an Echo speaker in a shared space, understanding what languages does Alexa speak helps ensure smooth voice commands for everyone.
Here are detailed, step-by-step instructions to set up your desired language on Amazon Echo.
- Open the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Device Settings.
- Tap the device for which you would like to change the language.
- Tap Language.
- Find your desired language and dialect on the list of options and tap it.
If you are unable to find your language on the list, update your Alexa app. If the option is still unavailable even after updating, then it is likely not supported on your specific. Unfortunately, this might be the case on some older devices, but you can still try and check other devices if you have more than one.
Each device connected to your system can have its own language setting, so you’ll have to repeat these steps for every device individually. You can also set devices to different languages if desired as well – if not, all members of your household prefer the same language or dialect. Hopefully, everyone in your household agrees on the language in your living room, though!
Once your Alexa product is set up to the language of your choice, she will now exclusively speak and understand that language, and all of the base functionalities will now be in that language as well. However, not all capabilities or skills will be available in all languages.
Now, hopefully, you’ve got your Alexa speaking the language and dialect you prefer! Doesn’t she sound so much better now?
Can Alexa Speak Multiple Languages?
For multilingual households or frequent travelers, what languages does Alexa speak becomes especially important when switching between different languages at home or on the road. Alexa’s multilingual mode allows two languages at once, with English always paired as the base.
This works well for language lessons, bilingual families, or scenarios like second-row passengers giving directions in an in-vehicle navigation system. Alexa automatically detects which language is spoken and responds accordingly, helping fulfill latent goals without manually switching settings each time.
- Open the Alexa app.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Device Settings.
- Tap the device for which you would like to change the language.
- Tap Language.
- Find your desired multilingual language option on the list of options and tap it.
This option is a bit limited as of now, as Alexa can only speak two languages at once, and one of them is always English. The multilingual options are Spanish, French, German, Hindi, and Japanese. Each of these is paired with English.
What About Celebrity Voices?
Samuel L. Jackson
Some users exploring what languages does Alexa speak also wonder about voice personalization. In the past, Amazon offered celebrity voices like Samuel L. Jackson, but these options are no longer available. Instead, Amazon has focused on improving natural language understanding, language skills, and custom skill flexibility.
Today’s emphasis is on clarity, accents, and responsiveness rather than novelty voices, ensuring Alexa performs reliably across voice commands, phone calls, and smart home interactions on Amazon Echo devices.
Here’s a YouTube video I put together on the old Sam Jackson features if you want to check out what he used to sound like. (Warning:
I went with the explicit option!)
Alexa Language Options: What Do You Think?
Now that you’ve seen what languages does Alexa speak, how multilingual mode works, and how language settings affect daily use, the next step is deciding what works best in your home or vehicle. Whether you’re using an Echo Show for recipes, an Echo speaker for music, or Alexa as part of an in-vehicle navigation system, language choice directly impacts usability.
Have you found language skills that work well for you? Are there different languages or accents you’d like Amazon to add next? Share your experience in the comments.
Read Next:Â Echo Dot Max vs Echo Dot: Is Alexa+ Worth It?Â
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tim Brennan
Tim Brennan, a tech blogger and YouTuber @TecTimmy, writes about smart homes at oneSmartcrib, home theaters at UniversalRemoteReviews, and AI in writing at Writeinteractive. He holds a Journalism degree from Northeastern University and has covered technology for well over three decades. He lives on the ocean in Massachusetts.
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