ADVERTISEMENT

Duolingo is a language-learning platform with a website, an app, and a sociopathic owl mascot that threatens users to continue their courses.

From passive-aggressive notifications after a period of inactivity to visiting your bedroom while you’re asleep, it knows no limits.

As the owl became more and more confident in its wicked ways, some 300 million Duolingo users started creating memes to tell about the times it came hunting for them.

That’s right. It doesn't matter if they’re learning conjunctions or idioms; the owl is always watching and waiting. And if they haven’t completed their daily task by midnight, it’s a bloody nightmare.

Continue scrolling and enjoy some of the funniest Duolingo memes from Twitter, Instagram, and any other corner of the internet!

#1

When Apps Team Up

Duolingo meme showing notifications: forgot Spanish lesson warning and a simultaneous ADT intruder alert.

Report

FortnitePlayerGirl
Community Member
6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm scared for my life now, since I'm taking Japanese with duo.

View more comments
RELATED:
    #2

    Mother-in-law negotiations

    Funny Duolingo meme about selling a mother-in-law for a euro.

    noamastenbroek Report

    Iris Engler
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Here you learn the stuff you really need

    View more comments

    The Duolingo project was started in 2009 in Pittsburgh by Carnegie Mellon University professor Luis von Ahn (creator of reCAPTCHA) and his graduate student Severin Hacker. Initially, Luis Von Ahn wanted to create a program that would both teach its users a foreign language and have them translate simple phrases in documents, though the translation feature has since been removed.

    #3

    Silent But Deadly

    Duolingo notification humorously paired with a missile alert, playing on language lesson reminders.

    Report

    FortnitePlayerGirl
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    *Throws phone out the window to be destroyed by missile*

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #4

    Language Learning Threats

    Duolingo bird meme showing a blurred bird with text about not practicing for two days.

    Report

    The project was originally sponsored by Luis von Ahn's MacArthur fellowship and a National Science Foundation grant. Additional funding came from an investment Union Square Ventures and actor Ashton Kutcher's firm, A-Grade Investments.

    #5

    Lost in Translation Lessons

    Screenshot of a humorous Duolingo meme showing a translation error with funny text.

    AbbottRabbit Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Lost in Translation Mood

    Duolingo meme with humorous Norwegian phrase, "I am eating bread and crying on the floor."

    williamstafford Report

    Kaisu
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Good for us with mental illnesses who still need to eat

    View more comments

    Duolingo started its private beta on November 30, 2011, and more than 300,000 users joined the waiting list. On June 19, 2012, Duolingo launched for the general public. Due to popular interest, it has received many investments including a $20 million Series C round of investment led by Kleiner Caufield & Byers and a $45 million Series D round of investment led by Google Capital. Currently, Duolingo employs 95 people, of whom many had been working for Google.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    Midnight Motivation Meltdown

    Comic of a brain reminding someone they missed a Duolingo lesson, featuring the Duolingo owl holding a knife.

    Report

    GABRIEL HICKNER
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cue Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho soundtrack.

    Kamryn McNamara
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    *tries going to sleep* Brain: Hey, you know what we haven't thought about in a while? Monsters.

    Yay Cakes
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Um,, giirl, beg for your life in Spanish or Duo will give you the best view of that knife.

    Ikonik Ikon Boudy
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m gonna delete it cuz...... I’d rather not die

    Ikonik Ikon Boudy
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OK IM GOING TO DO MY SPANISH LESSON NOW sike I don’t use duo

    Ivana Bogdan
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a Duolingo user I find it pretty accurate :D

    imjustexisting
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    that is IiteraIIy a gacha Iife/cIub knife

    Creeper Time
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i can feel duos prescence in my bedroom at night

    Madison King
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm never sleeping at night AGAIN

    Iwillshareproject
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like she's going to heaven a second later

    Duolingo
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    im now worried to miss a lesson

    K311yTh3C@t
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    me: practices fnaf night guard mode

    MathBoi
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Um, how did duo get in your bedroom?

    Ali
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    dont sign up- they wont only drown your family they'll drown your inbox

    Forrest Zhou
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    *duo stabs in your face*

    Windbound
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You may not rest now, there are monsters nearby

    Fatou Darboe
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    now i'm terrefied i will do all my classes

    Charlie Hyduk
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Then you realize you literally don't care if you live or die

    Ryu
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Punch that bird and stab him!

    View more comments
    #8

    Language Lessons Gone Wild

    Duolingo owl meme with ominous threat about knowing the French word for potato, followed by a blurred gun image.

    Report

    All language-learning features in Duolingo are free of charge, but it uses periodic advertising in both its mobile and web browser applications. Users can get rid of it by paying a subscription fee.

    #9

    Lost in Translation Moments

    Funny Duolingo meme depicting conversation misunderstanding with native speakers from a TV show scene.

    ambervalentina Report

    Rakan Rakan
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Duollingo: you forgot your lesson you now what will ha_ wait what Are you eating

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Streaks With A Twist

    Duolingo meme with owl encouraging streak, humorously referencing a g***g for motivation.

    Report

    #12

    Flagged and Flustered

    Duolingo meme with the text "Oops, that's not correct. Run for your life" and a notification bubble with number 44.

    Report

    #13

    Lost in Translation

    Duolingo meme featuring a bearded character with a humorous Spanish lesson text about family.

    irenepark89 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    Heart Rates and Language Fates

    Duolingo meme showing normal, flatline, and chaotic heartbeat related to Spanish lesson reminders.

    Report

    #15

    Existential Language Lessons

    Duolingo meme with humorous sentence translation, asking profound questions like "Who am I?"

    valeriecodes Report

    PandaLover
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where am I? What is the meaning of life? Why are you not doing your duolingo lessons every day?

    View more comments
    #16

    Keep The Streak Alive

    Duolingo owl with speech bubble saying, "5 in a row! Well done! Your family is safe today!"

    Report

    #17

    Fitness Goals vs Reality

    Duolingo app icon among various workout apps, creating a humorous meme contrast.

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #18

    Language Lessons Or Else

    Duolingo meme featuring the owl holding a gun, humorously demanding language practice.

    Report

    #19

    Buffering Brain Blues

    Duolingo meme with humorous text about downloading languages into the brain and slow buffering.

    Report

    Bored Phoenix
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NO! Do NOT TELL DUOLINGO OWL YOUR LOCATION! *whispers* you might die

    View more comments
    #20

    The Language That Haunts

    Person yelling as Duolingo owl bursts through a door with "LEARN SPANISH" text, depicting a funny meme scenario.

    Report

    #21

    Silent but Deadly

    Duolingo meme: Black crow with knife, text reads "beg for your life in Spanish."

    ghoulcabin Report

    GABRIEL HICKNER
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Good thing the duolingo bird doesn't exist in real life. . .

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #22

    Language Lessons Gone Wrong

    Duolingo meme featuring an incorrect answer message and joking about the Duolingo owl's intensity.

    Report

    Kaisu
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Harsh punishment for a wrong answer

    View more comments
    #23

    Language Coach Gone Rogue

    Buff Duolingo owl humorously confronting user for inactivity.

    Report

    #24

    Making Some Noise Midnight Visitor Alert When Panic Hits Peak

    Patrick panicking with a radio as Duolingo owl appears in the doorway; a hilarious Duolingo meme moment.

    Report

    #25

    Lost in Translation Laughs

    Duolingo meme parody with app mascot; top text censored, bottom text in Spanish translation.

    Report

    Hobbit Girly
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The only word I recognize is mierda, which means s**t.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #26

    Language Police On Duty

    Duolingo bird meme showing a humorous interrogation scene about language practice frequency.

    thoodleoo Report

    #27

    Late Night Language Lessons

    Duolingo meme: Owl appearing at bedroom door at 2am, urging Chinese practice.

    nomadbcrnes Report

    #28

    When Apps Get Serious

    Two people running in a hallway, with text about Duolingo memes and daily language lesson reminders.

    FloofKing Report

    Panda Bae
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have some questions about what is going on in the picture...

    View more comments
    #29

    First Words Fail

    Cartoon character humorously reminds about a missed Duolingo lesson.

    Report

    FatBaby
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Danngggg, there's no safe place anymore. Is there... :(

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #30

    Language Police on Patrol

    Squidward meme with "The Duolingo bird" chasing "ME," depicting a funny Duolingo scenario.

    Report