Here's why you might have that impression:
* Colonial History: France had a vast colonial empire, spreading its language to many parts of the world. This means French is an official language in many countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, even if it's not the most widely spoken language in those countries.
* International Prestige: French has historically been a language of diplomacy, literature, and culture. This prestige has led to it being studied and spoken in many countries, even outside of former colonies.
* Proximity to France: Many countries geographically close to France, like Belgium, Switzerland, and parts of Italy, have a significant number of French speakers due to historical and cultural connections.
However, the most spoken languages in the world are:
1. Mandarin Chinese
2. English
3. Hindi
4. Spanish
5. Arabic
French is a beautiful and influential language, but it's not the most widely spoken.