Learn english with Vertigo

A retired San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia investigates the strange activities of an old friend's wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.

Why learn english with Vertigo?

"Vertigo" is a thrilling mystery about Scottie, a detective who retires after developing a fear of heights. He's hired to follow a woman, Madeleine, who seems to be possessed by a ghost. Scottie becomes obsessed with her, but tragedy strikes. The story twists and turns, keeping you guessing until the very end. While watching, you'll learn vocabulary related to investigations ("detective," "witness," "evidence"), emotions ("fear," "obsession," "guilt"), and historical San Francisco. You'll also hear phrases like "on the bum" (meaning poor or homeless) and "carrying the torch" (meaning to have unrequited love). The movie explores themes of love, loss, obsession, and deception. You'll see a range of emotions expressed, from romantic love to intense fear and despair. This helps you understand how English is used to convey complex feelings. The dialogue is a mix of formal and informal language, exposing you to different speaking styles. Pay attention to how characters express their emotions, and how the tone changes in different situations. This will broaden your understanding of how language is used in everyday conversations and intense dramatic moments. "Vertigo" is a great choice for English learners because it provides a captivating story with rich vocabulary and varied language use. The clear pronunciation and moderate speaking pace make it relatively easy to follow. The movie's suspenseful plot will keep you engaged, making the learning process more enjoyable. Discussing the movie with other learners can also improve your conversational skills and comprehension. You can talk about the plot, characters, and themes, practicing your English while exploring interesting topics.

Words from Vertigo

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

ache: a continuous pain that is not very strong
corset: a tight-fitting piece of clothing worn to support the back or make the waist smaller
darned: used to emphasize something, often as a mild swear word
bind: an unpleasant situation that is difficult to avoid
chic: very attractive and fashionable; being up to date with the current fashion
scratch: to rub your skin with your nails, often due to itching; to damage a surface by marking it with something sharp
miserable: uncomfortable or very unhappy
disapproving: expressing that you do not approve of someone/something
someday: at a time in the future that is not yet known or specific
acrophobia: fear of being in high places
vertigo: a sense of fear and dizziness with loss of balance, triggered by looking down from great heights
dizzy: feeling like the world is spinning around you and you might fall
bingo: an expression of surprise and pleasure when something succeeds
motherly: showing the caring and protective nature of a mother
doohickey: a small device or object whose name or purpose you do not know