Learn English with Trainspotting

Heroin addict Mark Renton stumbles through bad ideas and sobriety attempts with his unreliable friends -- Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud and Tommy. He also has an underage girlfriend, Diane, along for the ride. After cleaning up and moving from Edinburgh to London, Mark finds he can't escape the life he left behind when Begbie shows up at his front door on the lam, and a scheming Sick Boy follows.

Why learn English with Trainspotting?

"Trainspotting" tells the story of Mark Renton and his friends, a group of young heroin addicts living in Edinburgh, Scotland. The movie follows their struggles with addiction, their attempts to get clean, and the challenges they face in a world that often feels bleak and hopeless. While watching, you'll learn a lot of informal British English, including Scottish slang. You'll encounter words like "shite" (meaning "bad" or "rubbish"), "scag" (heroin), "doss" (lazy person), and many more. The movie also features dialogues about everyday life, friendship, and societal issues, which can help you broaden your vocabulary and understanding of different conversation topics. The film explores complex themes like addiction, friendship, societal pressures, and the search for meaning in life. It portrays a range of intense emotions, from euphoria and desperation to anger and sadness. The language used in the movie is often raw, realistic, and sometimes vulgar, reflecting the characters' lives and the environment they live in. This can be helpful for English learners because it exposes them to authentic language use outside of formal settings. You'll get a feel for how people speak in casual conversations, including the use of idioms, slang, and strong language. Be aware, though, that some of the language might be offensive, and not suitable for all learners. While "Trainspotting" deals with difficult subject matter, it can be a valuable tool for English language learners who are looking for an immersive and engaging experience. The movie's strong characters, compelling storyline, and distinctive dialogue can make learning more interesting and memorable. By listening to the different accents and speech patterns, you can improve your listening comprehension and pronunciation. Additionally, the movie offers a window into Scottish culture and society, which can enrich your understanding of the English-speaking world. However, because of the challenging themes and strong language, this movie is best suited for mature learners who are comfortable with gritty realism.

Words from Trainspotting

Here are the first 15 of the more difficult words in Trainspotting:

compact: closely and neatly packed together to minimize size
tin: a metal container, often cylindrical, used for storing or selling various items like food, paint, etc
opener: a tool used for opening objects
cholesterol: a fatty substance found in the body, high levels of which in the blood can increase the risk of heart disease
dental: related to teeth
repayment: the act of returning borrowed money
mortgage: a loan obtained to purchase a house, land, etc., or the process of securing such a loan by giving the lender the right to take ownership if payments are not made
starter: a small dish of food served before the main meal
leisurewear: comfortable clothing worn for relaxation or sports
matching: similar or identical in features like colour, pattern, or quantity
luggage: bags or cases used for travelling that contain someone's clothes and personal items
suite: a set of related items or things, like furniture, music, or computer applications
diy: fixing, making or decorating items around the house yourself, rather than hiring someone to do it
numb: unable feel anything in a body part, often due to cold
junk: items that are considered to be of poor quality or with no use or value