5 Languages You NEED To Survive In A John Wick World

The Continental Hotel may have strict rules against "business on the premises," but there's one rule they don't mention in the handbook: knowing multiple languages is a MUST to survive in John Wick's universe.

With the highly anticipated "From the World of John Wick: Ballerina" arriving in theaters on June 2025, there's never been a better time to explore how language skills might just save your life in this stylish world of assassins. So in this post, let's get to know the 5 foreign languages worth learning in case you find yourself following in Baba Yaga's footsteps.

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina

"From the World of John Wick: Ballerina" brings a fresh perspective to the John Wick universe, starring Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, a deadly assassin trained by the Ruska Roma. Set for release on June 6, 2025, this high-octane spin-off promises to showcase the same cultural richness and linguistic diversity that made the original films so compelling.

As Eve navigates the international criminal underworld between the events of "Chapter 3" and "Chapter 4," languages once again play a crucial role in survival. With the return of characters like Winston (Ian McShane) and John Wick himself (Keanu Reeves), expect to hear the same mix of deadly phrases across multiple languages that has become a hallmark of this stylish franchise.

How many languages does John Wick know?

Throughout the film series, Keanu Reeves' character demonstrates fluency in at least eight languages: English, Russian, Italian, Hebrew, American Sign Language, Arabic, Japanese, Indonesian, and Cantonese. These languages have helped him with negotiations, finding clues, and communicating with the international underworld.

Interestingly, while John Wick is a man of remarkably few words (with his dialogue decreasing in each film), the words he does speak carry significant weight—especially when delivered in a character's native tongue.

Which languages does John Wick speak?

Every language John knows connects to a different part of the criminal underworld. Russian for the mob, Japanese for the Continental's honor codes, Chinese for triad business, Hebrew for underground weapons dealers, and Indonesian for martial arts respect.

Russian

Russian is John's foundation since he was born Jardani Jovonovich in Belarus and trained by the Ruska Roma. His nickname (Баба-яга) or "Baba Yaga" comes from Russian folklore, and most of his early criminal connections speak Russian. In the first film, you can also hear John Wick speak Russian as he confronted the Tarasov crime family.

In one memorable scene at a gas station, when a Russian gangster tells John in Russian that "every bitch has a price," John coolly responds in the same language.

What does John Wick say in Russian

• "A u etoi suki net" - "But this bitch doesn't have one" (John's response about his car)
• "Baba Yaga" - A nickname given to John, referring to a mythological Slavic witch
• "Viggo? Ty slushaesh?" - "Viggo? Are you listening?"

Ready to learn Russian? Check this out: Russian Alphabet: Everything You Need to Know

Chinese

John's knowledge of Chinese (specifically Cantonese) comes into play during his global adventures, particularly when dealing with the Chinese Triad organizations that operate within the High Table's domain. He bows correctly, uses proper honorifics, understands when to be formal versus casual.

This linguistic versatility allows John to move fluidly between different criminal factions, understanding threats and opportunities that might be lost on someone limited to a single language.

What does John Wick say in Chinese

• "Ham gaa caan" (冚家鏟) - "May your whole family be bulldozed" (curse word with Caine)
• "Nei ho" (你好) - "Hello" (basic Cantonese greeting)
• "Diu" (屌) - Common Cantonese profanity (used in tense situations)

Want to learn Chinese? Read this next: 9 Chinese Jokes That Made Me Feel Fluent In Chinese

Japanese

John's facility with Japanese becomes apparent in John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum when he encounters Zero and his ninja assassins. The respectful yet tense exchanges between John and these warriors highlight the film's exploration of honor among killers.

During his interactions with Japanese characters, John shows not just linguistic skill but cultural understanding, showing his immersion in multiple worlds beyond his American identity. In fact, you can see several key Japanese elements in the films including:

• John's respectful exchanges with the Japanese assassin
• His understanding of Japanese criminal protocols
• Cultural references that demonstrate his familiarity with Japanese tradition

What does John Wick say in Japanese

• "Arigato gozaimasu" (ありがとうございます) - "Thank you very much" (formal respect)
• "Sumimasen" (すみません) - "Excuse me/Sorry" (polite interactions)
• "Hai" (はい) - "Yes" (acknowledgment during formal meetings)

Ready to say learn Japanese fast? Start by learning this: Japanglish: 26+ Japanese English Words You Can Easily Learn

Hebrew

In John Wick: Chapter 2, John visits a secret bank run by Hasidic Jews, demonstrating his knowledge of Hebrew. This scene showcases how deeply embedded John is in the hidden infrastructure of the assassin world.

His ability to speak Hebrew in this context reveals the global nature of the criminal network and John's extensive preparation for navigating its various cultural enclaves. Some of the scenes where John uses Hebrew includes:

• Banking and transaction terminology
• Traditional greetings and expressions of gratitude
• Cultural references that show respect for tradition

What does John Wick say in Hebrew

• "Zayt matzliah" (זײט מצליח) - "Good luck" (Yiddish blessing from weapons dealer)
• "Shalom" (שלום) - "Peace/Hello/Goodbye" (universal Hebrew greeting)
• "Todah" (תודה) - "Thank you" (basic courtesy in Hebrew)

Wondering if you can learn this language? Get your answer once and for all: Is Hebrew Hard To Learn?

Indonesian

One of the most memorable multilingual moments occurs in John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum during John's fight with the Shinobi assassins, played by Indonesian martial arts experts Cecep Arif Rahman and Yayan Ruhian.

After an intense battle where the Shinobi speak to each other in Indonesian, John delivers the phrase "Sampai jumpa" (meaning "See you" or "Until we meet again") in perfect Indonesian. This moment wasn't originally in the script but Keanu Reeves specifically asked the Indonesian actors how to say this phrase in their language to enhance the cultural authenticity of the scene.

What does John Wick say in Indonesian

• "Sampai jumpa" - "See you again" (respectful goodbye to the Shinobi)
• "Terima kasih" - "Thank you" (showing respect after combat)
• "Maaf" - "Sorry/Excuse me" (polite acknowledgment)

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The blog for language lovers | Lingopie.comMilena Quaresma

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FAQs About John Wick and Languages

Why does John Wick speak like that?

John Wick's minimalist speaking style is an intentional character choice, with Keanu Reeves himself cutting down half of his dialogue in later films. His economy of words reflects his efficiency as an assassin—why use ten words when two will suffice?

What language does Caine speak in John Wick 4?

Caine (played by Donnie Yen) primarily speaks English and Cantonese in John Wick 4. Interestingly, Yen advocated for changes to his character to avoid Asian stereotypes, including requesting a normal name rather than a generic "Asian" name.

What nationality is Wick? (relate to his language)

John Wick was born Jardani Jovonovich in Belarus, which explains his fluency in Russian. His birth name—Jardani being the Romani word for John—suggests a connection to the Ruska Roma organization seen in the third film.

How did John Wick become Baba Yaga?

John Wick earned the nickname "Baba Yaga" (a reference to a Slavic folklore witch) during his time working for the Russian mob under Viggo Tarasov. The name reflects the fear he inspired as an unstoppable killer, though it's worth noting the nickname is a cultural mistranslation since Baba Yaga is traditionally female.