Learning a new language is not just about mastering grammar and vocabulary; it’s also about diving into the culture and expressing yourself. Today, we’re going to explore how to talk about your hobbies in Japanese. So, let’s get started and make your Japanese learning journey a bit more fun!

Starting the Conversation: “What’s Your Hobby?”

When you’re meeting someone for the first time or trying to know them better, asking about hobbies is a great icebreaker. Let’s learn how to initiate this conversation in Japanese.

趣味は何ですか？
しゅみはなんですか？
Shumi wa nan desu ka?
What is your hobby?

・趣味 /しゅみ /shumi/ hobby

Expressing Your Interests: “I Like…”

Once the conversation about hobbies starts, you’ll want to express your interests. Here’s how you can say what you like to do in your free time.

私は読書が好きです。
わたしはどくしょがすきです。
Watashi wa dokusho ga suki desu.
I like reading.

・読書 /どくしょ /dokusho/ reading

音楽を聴くのが好きです。
おんがくをきくのがすきです。
Ongaku o kiku no ga suki desu.
I like listening to music.

Getting Specific: “My Favorite is…”

You can talk about your favorites if you want to be more specific about your hobbies. This adds depth to the conversation.

私のお気に入りはジャズです。
わたしのおきにいりはじゃずです。
Watashi no okiniiri wa jazu desu.
My favorite is jazz.

・お気に入り /おきにいり /okiniiri/ favorite

Sharing Experience: “I’ve Been Doing…”

Talking about how long you’ve been engaged in your hobby can make the conversation more engaging. Let’s learn how to express this.

私は5年間ピアノを弾いています。
わたしはごねんかんぴあのをひいています。
Watashi wa go-nenkan piano wo hiiteimasu.
I’ve been playing the piano for 5 years.

・年間 /ねんかん /nenkan/ years

We hope this guide helps you talk about your hobbies and interests in Japanese more fluently. Remember, practice makes perfect. So, go ahead and strike up a conversation about your hobbies the next time you meet someone. Happy learning!