Talking about hobbies is a great way to connect with others, and in French, it’s no different! Whether you’re into sports, music, art, or just relaxing, this guide will teach you the key phrases, verbs, and vocabulary you need to describe your interests.
1. Start with “J’aime…” (I like…)
The easiest way to start talking about a hobby is by saying “J’aime“ (I like) or “Je n’aime pas” (I don’t like) followed by the activity. Here’s a quick list of hobbies you might use:
- J’aime le sport. (I like sports.)
- J’aime la musique. (I like music.)
- Je n’aime pas le dessin. (I don’t like drawing.)
You can also say j’adore (I love) for things you’re really passionate about, or je déteste (I hate) if it’s something you dislike!
2. Common Hobbies in French
Now let’s explore some popular hobbies and useful vocabulary for each:
Sports
- Jouer au foot – To play soccer
- Faire du jogging – To go jogging
- Aller à la gym – To go to the gym
- Faire du vélo – To go biking
Example:
- J’adore jouer au foot avec mes amis. (I love playing soccer with my friends.)
- Le week-end, je fais du jogging. (On weekends, I go jogging.)
Music and Dance
- Écouter de la musique – To listen to music
- Jouer de la guitare / du piano – To play the guitar/piano
- Chanter – To sing
- Danser – To dance
Example:
- J’aime écouter de la musique classique. (I like listening to classical music.)
- Ma sœur chante dans un groupe. (My sister sings in a band.)
Tip: When talking about playing an instrument in French, use jouer de (e.g., jouer de la guitare for “to play guitar”).
Art and Creativity
- Faire de la peinture – To paint
- Dessiner – To draw
- Faire de la photographie – To do photography
- Écrire – To write
Example:
- Je passe mon temps libre à faire de la photographie. (I spend my free time doing photography.)
- J’adore dessiner des portraits. (I love drawing portraits.)
Reading and Learning
- Lire – To read
- Apprendre des langues – To learn languages
- Regarder des documentaires – To watch documentaries
Example:
- Je lis beaucoup de livres de science-fiction. (I read a lot of science fiction books.)
- J’aime apprendre des langues étrangères. (I like learning foreign languages.)
3. Talking About How Often You Do Your Hobby
To make your sentences more interesting, add expressions of frequency:
- Tous les jours – Every day
- Le week-end – On weekends
- Parfois – Sometimes
- Rarement – Rarely
Example:
- Je joue de la guitare tous les jours. (I play guitar every day.)
- Le week-end, je vais au cinéma. (On weekends, I go to the movies.)
4. Phrases to Express Interest in a New Hobby
Want to say that you’re starting something new? Here are some phrases:
- Je viens de commencer à… – I just started…
- J’ai envie d’essayer… – I want to try…
- Je voudrais apprendre… – I would like to learn…
Example:
- Je viens de commencer à faire du yoga. (I just started doing yoga.)
- J’ai envie d’essayer la cuisine française. (I want to try French cooking.)
5. Fun Questions to Ask About Hobbies
If you’re chatting with someone about hobbies, here are some fun questions you could ask:
- Quels sont tes passe-temps préférés ? (What are your favorite hobbies?)
- Tu fais du sport ? (Do you play sports?)
- Tu joues d’un instrument ? (Do you play an instrument?)
- Tu aimes lire ? (Do you like reading?)
Quick Practice Exercise
Fill in the blanks to describe your hobbies in French:
- Le week-end, j’aime __________. (On weekends, I like ___.)
- Tous les jours, je __________ de la guitare. (Every day, I ___ guitar.)
- Je voudrais apprendre __________. (I would like to learn ___.)
Voilà! Now you’re ready to share your interests and ask others about theirs. Talking about hobbies is not only a great way to practise French, but it’s also an easy way to connect with others and learn what they enjoy. So, quels sont tes passe-temps préférés ?
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