Hobbies are a great conversation starter, especially during lunch breaks or casual gatherings. They reveal your interests, help you connect with others, and make conversations more engaging. In this article, we’ll help you talk about your hobbies in German, ask others about theirs, and build simple but fun sentences.
1. How to Say “My Hobby Is…”
The most basic way to talk about your hobbies is to use:
- Mein Hobby ist… (My hobby is…)
Example: Mein Hobby ist Lesen. (My hobby is reading.)
For more than one hobby, use:
- Meine Hobbys sind… (My hobbies are…)
Example: Meine Hobbys sind Kochen und Radfahren. (My hobbies are cooking and cycling.)
2. Common Hobbies in German
Here are some popular hobbies and how to say them in German:
- Lesen (Reading)
- Schreiben (Writing)
- Radfahren (Cycling)
- Wandern (Hiking)
- Schwimmen (Swimming)
- Malen (Painting)
- Fotografieren (Photography)
- Musik hören (Listening to music)
- Gärtnern (Gardening)
- Kochen (Cooking)
💡 Tip: Add variety by describing how often you do these activities using adverbs like oft (often) or manchmal (sometimes).
3. Asking About Someone Else’s Hobbies
Show interest in others by asking about their hobbies:
- Was sind deine Hobbys? (What are your hobbies?)
- Hast du ein Lieblingshobby? (Do you have a favorite hobby?)
- Was machst du gerne in deiner Freizeit? (What do you like to do in your free time?)
4. Expressing Enjoyment
Use these phrases to talk about why you enjoy your hobbies:
- Ich mache das, weil es Spaß macht. (I do it because it’s fun.)
- Es entspannt mich. (It relaxes me.)
- Ich liebe es, kreativ zu sein. (I love being creative.)
- Ich mag die Natur. (I like nature.)
5. Advanced: Combining Activities
When you’re ready, combine sentences to describe multiple hobbies or preferences:
- Ich lese gerne Bücher, aber ich male auch gerne. (I like reading books, but I also enjoy painting.)
- Am Wochenende gehe ich wandern oder mache Fotos. (On weekends, I go hiking or take photos.)
- Nach der Arbeit höre ich Musik und entspanne mich. (After work, I listen to music and relax.)
6. Example Dialogue: Talking About Hobbies at Lunch
You: Was sind deine Hobbys?
(What are your hobbies?)
Colleague: Ich liebe es, Rad zu fahren. Und du?
(I love cycling. And you?)
You: Ich lese gerne und fotografiere manchmal.
(I like reading and sometimes take photos.)
Colleague: Das klingt interessant! Wo machst du Fotos?
(That sounds interesting! Where do you take photos?)
You: Ich mache oft Fotos im Park oder in der Natur.
(I often take photos in the park or in nature.)
7. 10 Sentences to Practice
- Mein Hobby ist Schwimmen.
- Meine Hobbys sind Wandern und Kochen.
- Ich höre gerne Musik in meiner Freizeit.
- Was machst du gerne in deiner Freizeit?
- Ich liebe es, kreativ zu sein.
- Ich lese oft Bücher am Abend.
- Am Wochenende gehe ich gerne spazieren.
- Das mache ich, weil es Spaß macht.
- Was ist dein Lieblingshobby?
- Ich mag es, Zeit in der Natur zu verbringen.
Vocabulary Booster
| German Word | Type | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| das Hobby | Noun | Hobby |
| die Hobbys | Noun (Pl.) | Hobbies |
| die Freizeit | Noun | Free time |
| lesen | Verb | To read |
| schreiben | Verb | To write |
| wandern | Verb | To hike |
| Radfahren | Verb | To cycle |
| schwimmen | Verb | To swim |
| kochen | Verb | To cook |
| fotografieren | Verb | To take photos |
| hören | Verb | To listen |
| entspannen | Verb | To relax |
| kreativ | Adjective | Creative |
| die Natur | Noun | Nature |
| der Park | Noun | Park |
| der Abend | Noun | Evening |
| am Wochenende | Phrase | On weekends |
| der Kollege/die Kollegin | Noun | Colleague (male/female) |
| die Lieblingsbeschäftigung | Noun | Favorite activity |
Final Thoughts
Talking about hobbies is one of the easiest ways to connect with others, especially during casual settings like lunch. Start by practicing simple sentences about your hobbies and asking others about theirs. You’ll not only improve your German but also build stronger connections with those around you. So, what are your hobbies? Share them in German today and just speak!
Let me know if you’d like another topic or article idea! 😊