Learn english with Die Hard

NYPD cop John McClane's plan to reconcile with his estranged wife is thrown for a serious loop when, minutes after he arrives at her offices Christmas Party, the entire building is overtaken by a group of terrorists. With little help from the LAPD, wisecracking McClane sets out to single-handedly rescue the hostages and bring the bad guys down.

Why learn english with Die Hard?

"Die Hard" is an exciting action movie about John McClane, a New York City cop, who visits his estranged wife, Holly, in Los Angeles for Christmas. The party at Holly's office in Nakatomi Plaza is interrupted by a group of terrorists led by Hans Gruber. John must use his wits and bravery to save Holly and the other hostages. While watching, you can learn vocabulary related to crime (terrorist, hostage, negotiate), business (corporation, executive, deal), and emotions (fear, anger, determination). You'll also hear a variety of American accents and some German phrases. The movie explores themes of courage, resilience, and family. You'll see how John expresses emotions like frustration, fear, and love in different situations. The language used in the movie ranges from formal business conversations to informal chats and tense negotiations with the terrorists. This variety can expose you to different tones and styles of English conversation, helping you understand how people speak in diverse contexts. You'll also encounter common idioms and expressions like "It's Christmas Eve," "You're making me feel like Ebenezer Scrooge," and "You're all right, Argyle." Watching "Die Hard" can be a fun and engaging way to improve your English listening comprehension and vocabulary. The fast-paced plot and exciting action will keep you entertained while you subconsciously absorb new words and phrases. The dialogue is clear and relatively easy to follow, making it suitable for intermediate learners. Because it is a popular movie, discussing it with English-speaking friends can be a great way to practice your conversational skills.

Words from Die Hard

Here are the first 15 of the more difficult words in Die Hard:

rug: a piece of thick material used to cover part of a floor, similar to a small carpet
barefoot: not wearing shoes or socks
shower: a device or the act of washing yourself with a spray of water
cop: a police officer
merry: cheerful and happy or slightly drunk
gentleman: a polite and educated man with good manners who always behaves well
congratulate: to express or feel pleasure or pride for someone's success or one's own achievements
eve: the day or evening before an important event, often a festival or holiday
stocking: a close-fitting piece of clothing for the legs and feet, or a sock for Christmas presents
chestnut: a large, spreading tree that produces smooth, brown nuts; a smooth brown nut from this tree; a deep red-brown colour
frosty: very cold, with a thin layer of white ice covering surfaces
aged: very old
brie: a soft cheese from France
roar: to make a very loud, deep sound, as by an animal or a machine
champagne: a fizzy white wine made in a region of France, often enjoyed during celebrations