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WordPress supports more than 200 human languages, including full right-to-left support for Arabic, and it is built with PHP, MySQL, HTML, CSS and JavaScript. To run one site in several languages you need a multilingual plugin such as WPML, Polylang or TranslatePress. Below we cover both meanings of the question and how to set up a bilingual site correctly for SEO.
WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) in the world, used by millions of individuals and businesses to build and manage their websites. One of WordPress's key features is its extensive support for various languages, making it an ideal choice for users around the globe. If you're wondering what languages WordPress supports and how you can leverage this feature to create a multilingual website, this article will provide you with all the details you need. We'll also discuss the programming languages that WordPress supports, which play a crucial role in website development.
In the era of globalization, it's essential for your website to have the ability to reach a global audience. Multilingual support in WordPress can significantly expand your site's reach, allowing you to connect with speakers of different languages and increase your customer base. Whether you're running a personal site, a blog, or an e-commerce store, offering content in multiple languages can have a significant impact on your success.
One of WordPress's greatest features is its support for over 70 different languages by default. This means users from all around the world can use WordPress in their native language without the need for any additional modifications. Here’s an overview of some of the languages WordPress supports:
WordPress supports English in all its variants, including American, British, Canadian, and Australian English. As the default language of the system, users installing WordPress for the first time will get the interface in English.
For users in the Arab world, WordPress fully supports the Arabic language, including right-to-left (RTL) text. This makes WordPress a great choice for building Arabic-language websites.
Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, and WordPress supports all Spanish dialects, making it easy for Spanish-speaking users to manage their websites.
WordPress supports French in all its variants, whether it’s the French used in France or Canada. French-speaking users can take full advantage of this support to build websites in French.
WordPress supports German in all its variations, including the German used in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This enables users to build websites in their native language with ease.
For users in China and Taiwan, WordPress supports both Simplified and Traditional Chinese, making it easy to build websites targeting these large markets.
WordPress fully supports the Russian language, making it easy for users in Russia and Russian-speaking countries to manage their websites.
For the Japanese market, WordPress fully supports the Japanese language, making it easy to build and manage websites targeting a Japanese audience.
In addition to supporting various global languages, WordPress also relies on several programming languages that form the foundation on which the system is built. These languages enable developers to create and customize websites according to their specific needs. Here’s a look at some of the programming languages that WordPress supports:
PHP is the backbone of WordPress. It is used to write the code that powers WordPress and allows developers to create custom functions and add new features to their sites. Due to PHP’s popularity, developers can find numerous resources and libraries to help them in WordPress development.
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the foundation used to build web pages in WordPress. With HTML, developers can structure content, such as text, images, and tables, on various pages. HTML is a fundamental language for any website, and it is fully supported in WordPress.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used to define and apply styles and designs to web pages. With CSS, developers can customize the appearance of a WordPress site, including colors, fonts, spacing, and layouts. WordPress integrates fully with CSS, allowing for responsive and visually appealing website designs.
JavaScript is a programming language used to add interactivity and dynamic elements to WordPress websites. With JavaScript, developers can add features such as interactive forms, dropdown menus, and animations. WordPress fully supports JavaScript and encourages its use to enhance user experience.
MySQL is the database management system used by WordPress to store and retrieve information. MySQL is used to manage everything from user data to content and settings. With MySQL, WordPress can efficiently and securely handle large amounts of data.
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Now that you know what languages WordPress supports, let’s discuss how to set up a multilingual site. You can easily do this using dedicated plugins that offer various options for translation and content management in different languages.
Several plugins are available that allow you to turn your site into a multilingual one. Some of the most popular plugins include:
You can also use the built-in language settings in WordPress to set the default language of your site. This allows you to define the interface language that your visitors will use by default.
If you’re using a theme or plugin that’s not available in your desired language, you can translate it using plugins like Loco Translate or by using custom translation files (POT files).
When building a multilingual site using WordPress, it’s also important to consider search engine optimization (SEO). By following some best practices, you can increase your site’s visibility in global search results.
These tags help search engines understand the language and target audience of each page on your site. You should add hreflang tags for each translated version of your page.
Ensure that all translated versions of your site are included in your sitemap. This helps search engines index all the pages on your site in different languages.
Ensure that the translated content reflects the cultural and linguistic norms of the target audience. Each version of the content should be unique and relevant to the audience you’re targeting.
WordPress is a powerful tool that supports a wide range of global and programming languages, making it an ideal choice for building multilingual websites. If you’re wondering what languages WordPress supports, the answer is that WordPress supports over 70 different languages by default, in addition to supporting a wide array of programming languages such as PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. By using the right plugins and following best practices for SEO, you can build a multilingual site that enhances your global visibility.
Finally, if you’re looking for a reliable partner to design your multilingual website or enhance your digital presence, Sympaweb is one of the best companies in the Arab world offering comprehensive solutions in this field.
Yes, WordPress has a complete Arabic translation and native right-to-left layout support.
Mainly PHP, with MySQL or MariaDB for the database and HTML, CSS and JavaScript for the front end.
WPML and Polylang are the most common; both support hreflang tags and translated URLs.
At Sympaweb we design and develop fast, SEO-ready business websites and online stores for clients in Jordan, the Gulf and beyond.
Last updated: November 2026
