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This study investigates the influence of linguistic challenges, host country language ability, and host country difficulty on expatriate adaptation in Saudi Arabia. It aims to uncover how linguistic barriers impact expatriate stress management, cultural competency, and overall job performance, while examining the mediating role of host country language ability and the moderating effect of host country difficulty. Data from 242 expatriates in diverse sectors in Saudi Arabia were collected through structured questionnaires. Statistical analyses using STATA software were employed to explore the relationships between linguistic challenges, host country language ability, host country difficulty, managing work stress performance (MWSP), and cultural competency (CC). Linguistic challenges significantly influence both MWSP and CC among expatriates. Host country language ability acts as a partial mediator, affecting the relationship between linguistic barriers and expatriate adaptation. Host country difficulty emerges as a moderator, influencing expatriate adaptation based on the complexity of the local language environment. This research contributes theoretically by revealing how linguistic challenges shape expatriate adaptation. It offers practical implications for organizational strategies, guiding support systems to enhance expatriate success in culturally diverse settings like Saudi Arabia. The study's novelty lies in its exploration of mediating and moderating roles, offering a deeper understanding of expatriate experiences within distinct linguistic and cultural landscapes.