English vocabulary guide
The Shining
Vocabulary-Rich — Its subtitles contain a comparatively high share of advanced or rare vocabulary, making it better suited to confident learners.
- Vocabulary size
- 1,226
- Word occurrences
- 7,967
- IMDb rating
- ★ 8.4
Vocabulary profile by level
The percentages show unique vocabulary items and phrases found in the available English subtitles.
Useful vocabulary from The Shining
Frequently occurring intermediate, advanced, and phrasal vocabulary with real subtitle examples.
| Level | Vocabulary | Occurrences | Subtitle example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rare | redrum | 16 | DANNY [IN TONY'S VOICE]: Redrum. |
| C1 | overlook | 10 | Jack is going to take care of the Overlook for us this winter. |
| B1 | suppose | 8 | I don't suppose they said anything in Denver... |
| A1 | wake up | 8 | My mom was saying, "Wake up. Wake up, Danny, wake up." |
| B2 | folk | 7 | That's just great. How do you folks like our hotel so far? |
| B1 | occur | 7 | ...and depreciation which can occur. |
| Rare | caretaker | 6 | ...hired a man named Charles Grady as the winter caretaker. |
| A1 | talk about | 6 | ...there's one other thing I think we should talk about. |
| A2 | get out of | 5 | Why don't you start right now and get the fuck out of here? |
| A1 | get to | 5 | We'll get you something as soon as we get to the hotel. |
How to study with this movie
Preview the vocabulary above, watch a short scene with English subtitles, and replay it without pausing. Save complete expressions rather than isolated words. These figures describe subtitle vocabulary; accent, delivery speed, sound mixing, and story familiarity also affect comprehension.
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How difficult is The Shining in English?
The Shining: 70.3% A1–A2 vocabulary; 12.8% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary. Vocabulary size: 1,178.
Unique vocabulary
- For A2 learners: 23.5% of unique vocabulary is above A2 or marked rare. Expect substantial preparation; start with short scenes and English subtitles.
- For B1 learners: 12.8% of unique vocabulary is above B1 or marked rare. Preview recurring words and use English subtitles.
- For B2 learners: 9.1% of unique vocabulary is above B2 or marked rare. Try a short scene and check your comprehension; the vocabulary offers a relatively accessible starting point.
6.3% Unclassified. Unclassified vocabulary has no reliable level assignment.
Vocabulary weighted by word occurrences
93.4% A1–A2 vocabulary; 2.8% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary; 1.6% Unclassified.
This counts repeated eligible words. Phrases are excluded from this calculation to avoid counting their component words twice.
Recurring words and phrases to preview
- redrum (rare): 16 occurrences in available subtitles.
Subtitle example:
DANNY [IN TONY'S VOICE]: Redrum.
- overlook (C1): 10 occurrences in available subtitles.
Subtitle example:
Jack is going to take care of the Overlook for us this winter.
- suppose (B1): 8 occurrences in available subtitles.
English meaning: To think something is probably true, or to imagine a possible situation.
Subtitle example:
I don't suppose they said anything in Denver...
- folk (B2): 7 occurrences in available subtitles.
Subtitle example:
That's just great. How do you folks like our hotel so far?
- occur (B1): 7 occurrences in available subtitles.
Subtitle example:
...and depreciation which can occur.
Compare with titles in similar genres
- Horror of Dracula: 12.8% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary (0.0 percentage points less than The Shining).
- Nine Dead: 12.8% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary (0.0 percentage points more than The Shining).
- White Noise 2 The Light: 12.8% B2, C1, and rare vocabulary (0.0 percentage points less than The Shining).
These percentages describe vocabulary, not the proportion of dialogue you will understand. CEFR labels are estimates, not official film ratings. Accent, speed, songs, context, and your own vocabulary also affect comprehension. Repeated occurrences may include repeated dialogue or lyrics.
How we estimate vocabulary difficulty · Evidence generated: