das Hobby
hobby
A leisure activity that one does regularly out of personal interest and for relaxation.
EXAMPLE
Sein liebstes Hobby ist das Fotografieren in der Natur.
His favorite hobby is photographing nature.
das Hobby
hobby
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Meanings
Usage tips
Typical verbs
To talk about a hobby, you typically use the verbs 'haben' (to have) and 'ausüben' (to practice/pursue). A somewhat more formal variant is 'einem Hobby nachgehen' (to pursue a hobby).
EXAMPLE
Welche Hobbys hast du?
What hobbies do you have?
Describing a hobby
You can describe your hobby with the structure 'Mein Hobby ist ...' (My hobby is ...) and a noun or a nominalized verb, e.g. 'Lesen' (reading), 'Schwimmen' (swimming).
EXAMPLE
Mein Hobby ist das Gärtnern.
My hobby is gardening.
Asking about hobbies
The most common question to ask someone about their leisure activities is: 'Was sind deine Hobbys?' (What are your hobbies?) or in the singular 'Was ist dein Hobby?' (What is your hobby?).
EXAMPLE
Was machst du gerne in deiner Freizeit? Hast du ein bestimmtes Hobby?
What do you like doing in your free time? Do you have a particular hobby?
Compare with
Hobby vs Zeitvertreib
pastime
A hobby is usually a regular leisure activity connected with a lasting personal interest. A pastime can also be enjoyable, but it often serves simply to fill free or unused time and does not have to be a regular activity.
Hobby
Schach ist seit vielen Jahren mein Hobby, und ich spiele jede Woche im Verein.
Chess has been my hobby for many years, and I play every week at the club.
Zeitvertreib
Während der langen Wartezeit ist Schach auf dem Handy ein angenehmer Zeitvertreib.
During the long wait, playing chess on my phone is a pleasant pastime.
In real life
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