Translation guide
Describes a person who speaks multiple languages, or a situation/environment where multiple languages are used.
She is multilingual.
To say someone is multilingual, speaks several languages.
Literally 'speaks multiple languages'. A straightforward and common way to describe a multilingual person.
She is multilingual.
Loanword from English. Commonly used in casual and professional contexts.
He is multilingual.
More formal or explicit: 'speaks multiple languages'. Suitable for written descriptions.
The staff member is multilingual.
Technical term for 'multilingual speaker'. Used in linguistics or academic contexts.
He is known as a multilingual speaker.
To say a place, event, or system uses multiple languages.
Adjectival noun meaning 'multilingual'. Used for environments, services, websites, etc.
This website is multilingual.
Means 'supporting multiple languages'. Often used for software, apps, or services.
This app is multilingual.
Also used for environments, but less common than 多言語 for inanimate contexts.
I work in a multilingual workplace.
To say a book, sign, or text is written in multiple languages.
Literally 'written in multiple languages'. Natural for describing documents.
This manual is multilingual.
Means 'multiple language notation'. Used for signs, labels, etc.
多言語 by itself is an adjective meaning 'multilingual' for things, not people. To describe a person, use a phrase like 多言語を話す or マルチリンガル.
多言語 is more common for environments and systems. マルチリンガル is more common for people, but both can overlap. マルチリンガル sounds slightly more modern/casual.
I grew up in a multilingual environment.
The station signs are multilingual.