Daily English Day 22: Talking About Hobbies

Talking about hobbies is one of the most natural and friendly ways to start conversations in English. Whether you are meeting new friends, chatting with classmates, or practicing small talk at work, asking about and sharing hobbies can help you connect with others. In this lesson, we will cover useful vocabulary, expressions, dialogues, and cultural tips that will help you confidently talk about hobbies in English.

Why Talking About Hobbies Is Important

When you first meet someone, conversations often start with topics like name, nationality, job, and hobbies. Hobbies are a safe and positive subject that allows people to open up and share something personal. Asking about hobbies shows interest in the other person’s life, and it can lead to discovering common interests.

For example:

• If you both enjoy reading, you might recommend books to each other.

• If you both like playing basketball, you could plan to play together.

• If you enjoy cooking, you might share recipes.

Hobbies help people build stronger relationships.

Useful Vocabulary for Hobbies

Here are some common hobbies and activities you can use in conversation:

Sports and Physical Activities

• playing basketball / football / volleyball

• swimming

• running / jogging

• hiking

• yoga

• dancing

• cycling

Creative Hobbies

• painting / drawing

• playing the guitar / piano / violin

• singing

• photography

• writing stories or poems

• cooking / baking

Collecting and Leisure

• reading books

• watching movies / TV shows

• listening to music

• playing video games

• gardening

• traveling

Social or Group Activities

• hanging out with friends

• going shopping

• going to concerts

• volunteering

Useful Phrases to Talk About Hobbies

When you want to ask someone about their hobbies, you can use these expressions:

• “What do you like to do in your free time?”

• “Do you have any hobbies?”

• “How do you usually spend your weekends?”

• “What are you into these days?”

• “Do you play any sports or instruments?”

When you answer, you can use these sentence patterns:

• “I like ___.”

• “I enjoy ___.”

• “My favorite hobby is ___.”

• “In my free time, I usually ___.”

• “I spend a lot of time ___.”

• “I’m interested in ___.”

Examples:

• “I enjoy playing the guitar.”

• “In my free time, I like watching movies.”

• “I spend a lot of time reading novels.”

• “I’m interested in photography.”

Short Dialogues

Dialogue 1: Meeting a Classmate

A: Hi, nice to meet you! What do you like to do in your free time?
B: I really enjoy playing basketball. How about you?
A: I like watching movies and sometimes hiking.

Dialogue 2: Talking with a New Friend

A: Do you have any hobbies?
B: Yes, I love cooking and trying new recipes.
A: That’s great! I enjoy cooking too. What’s your favorite dish to make?
B: I like making pasta.

Dialogue 3: Small Talk at Work

A: How do you usually spend your weekends?
B: I usually go cycling in the morning and relax at home in the afternoon.
A: Sounds healthy! I usually spend my weekends reading novels.

Extending the Conversation

When talking about hobbies, don’t just say one sentence. You can extend the conversation by adding details or asking questions. Here are some ideas:

• Give a reason:

  • “I enjoy hiking because it helps me relax and enjoy nature.”

  • “I love painting because it lets me be creative.”

• Give details:

  • “I usually play basketball with my friends every Saturday.”

  • “I like reading mystery novels. My favorite author is Agatha Christie.”

• Ask follow-up questions:

  • “How often do you do that?”

  • “Who do you usually do it with?”

  • “How did you start that hobby?”

  • “What’s your favorite part about it?”

Practice Exercise: Fill in the Blank

1. In my free time, I like _______.

2. My favorite hobby is _______ because _______.

3. On weekends, I usually _______.

4. I enjoy _______ with my friends.

5. I spend a lot of time _______.

Try filling in these blanks with your own hobbies.

Cultural Tips

• In Western culture, hobbies are often used as an icebreaker in small talk. For example, in the U.S. or Europe, people commonly ask, “So, what do you do for fun?”

• In some Asian cultures, people might be more modest when sharing hobbies, but it is still a positive and safe topic.

• Some hobbies may be very popular in specific countries. For example, baseball in Japan, soccer in Brazil, or K-pop music in Korea. Mentioning these can make conversations more interesting.

Sample Paragraphs for Practice

Here are some longer examples you can use to practice speaking or writing about hobbies:

Example 1

“In my free time, I enjoy reading books. I especially like science fiction because it lets me imagine the future. I usually read before going to bed. Sometimes I also go to the bookstore to find new novels.”

Example 2

“My favorite hobby is cooking. I started cooking when I was in high school, and now I love trying new recipes. I enjoy cooking pasta, curry, and desserts. I often cook for my family on weekends.”

Example 3

“I like outdoor activities. Every weekend, I go hiking with my friends. We usually hike in the mountains near the city. Hiking helps me relax and keeps me healthy. It’s also a great way to spend time with friends.”

Practice Speaking with a Partner

1. Ask your partner: “What do you like to do in your free time?”

2. Answer with your own hobby.

3. Give details about why you enjoy it.

4. Ask your partner follow-up questions.

5. Continue the conversation for at least 2–3 minutes.

Summary

Talking about hobbies is an essential skill in English small talk. By learning hobby vocabulary, practicing common expressions, and adding details, you can make conversations more natural and engaging. Remember to show interest in the other person’s hobbies and share your own with enthusiasm. With practice, you will be able to connect with people more easily and build stronger friendships.

What is a hobby and how can I introduce mine naturally?

A hobby is an activity you enjoy doing regularly for pleasure or relaxation, not for work. To introduce your hobby naturally, start with a friendly opener and a short statement: “In my free time, I enjoy hiking.” Add one detail to keep the conversation going: “I usually go on Sunday mornings because the trails are quiet.” This pattern—short answer + one detail—helps your listener respond without feeling overwhelmed.

How do I ask someone about their hobbies politely?

Use open-ended, friendly questions. Examples:

• “What do you like to do in your free time?”
• “Do you have any hobbies outside of work or school?”
• “How do you usually spend your weekends?”
• “What are you into these days?”

Follow up with curiosity: “How did you get into that?” or “What do you enjoy most about it?” Polite intonation and a smile (in person or on video) make the question feel welcoming.

What are natural sentence starters for talking about hobbies?

Try these flexible starters:

• “I’m really into…” (e.g., “I’m really into photography.”)
• “I’ve been getting into…” (good for new hobbies)
• “I like/enjoy/love…”
• “My favorite way to relax is…”
• “Lately, I’ve been…” (e.g., “Lately, I’ve been learning the guitar.”)

To sound balanced, add a reason: “I love baking because it lets me be creative and share treats with friends.”

What’s the difference between “I like,” “I enjoy,” and “I’m into”?

All three communicate positive feelings, but tone differs. “I like” is neutral and common. “I enjoy” is slightly more formal and often followed by a gerund (“enjoy reading”). “I’m into” is informal and shows stronger enthusiasm. Choose based on context: in interviews or presentations, “I enjoy” may sound polished; in casual chats, “I’m into” feels friendly.

How do I use “do,” “play,” and “go” with hobby verbs?

Use common collocations:

• Do + non-team or non-ball activities: “do yoga,” “do martial arts,” “do photography” (also “take photos”).
• Play + ball sports or instruments: “play tennis,” “play basketball,” “play the piano.”
• Go + -ing activities: “go swimming,” “go hiking,” “go camping.”

These collocations make your English sound natural and fluent.

What follow-up questions keep the conversation flowing?

After someone shares, invite details:

• “How often do you do it?”
• “Where do you usually go?”
• “Do you do it alone or with friends?”
• “How did you get started?”
• “What’s challenging or rewarding about it?”

Mirror their keywords to show active listening: “Oh, you said trail running—what’s your favorite route?”

How can beginners talk about hobbies with limited vocabulary?

Use simple patterns and repeatable frames. Example: “I like [activity]. I do it [time]. I like it because [reason].” For instance: “I like cooking. I do it on weekends. I like it because it’s relaxing.” Keep your sentences short and clear. Prepare a mini list of five hobby words you use often (reading, music, running, drawing, games) and practice saying them smoothly.

What vocabulary is useful for describing frequency and intensity?

Frequency adverbs: “always,” “usually,” “often,” “sometimes,” “rarely,” “hardly ever,” “never.” Intensity words: “really,” “quite,” “a bit,” “super,” “absolutely.” Combine them with your hobby: “I usually go jogging before work,” or “I’m really passionate about street photography.”

What are common mistakes to avoid when discussing hobbies?

Watch for these issues:

• Wrong collocation: “I play yoga” → “I do yoga.”
• Missing article: “I play piano” → “I play the piano.”
• Verb form after enjoy: “I enjoy to cook” → “I enjoy cooking.”
• Over-detailing: Long technical explanations can overwhelm small talk. Offer one or two accessible details.

Can I use idioms and phrasal verbs to sound more natural?

Yes, but choose widely understood phrases:

• Phrasal verbs: “take up” (start a hobby), “give up” (stop), “stick with” (continue), “try out” (test).
• Idioms: “right up my alley” (perfect for me), “blow off steam” (relax), “kill time” (pass time).

Example: “I took up watercolor during the summer, and it’s right up my alley.”

How do I connect hobbies to study, work, or goals?

Show transferable skills: “Playing in a band taught me teamwork and time management.” “Long-distance running helps me stay disciplined.” In interviews or academic settings, link your hobby to outcomes: growth, resilience, or creativity. Keep it authentic and concise: one sentence with one clear skill is enough.

What short dialogues can I model for everyday situations?

At school:
A: “What do you do for fun after classes?”
B: “I’m into coding small apps. Lately, I’ve been learning Python on weekends.”
A: “Nice! What kind of apps are you building?”

At work:
A: “How was your weekend?”
B: “Pretty good—I went hiking with a local group. It helps me reset for the week.”
A: “Sounds great. Where did you go?”

Online class:
A: “Any hobbies you’re exploring this month?”
B: “I took up baking. I’m trying to master sourdough.”
A: “What’s been the hardest part?”

How can shy learners talk about hobbies confidently?

Prepare a 20–30 second “hobby pitch.” Structure: statement, reason, small story. Example: “I enjoy photography because it helps me notice details. Last month I tried night shots, and the city lights looked amazing.” Practice aloud, record yourself, and focus on warm, clear intonation. If you forget a word, describe it simply: “the thing you use to knead bread” instead of “dough scraper.”

How do I compare hobbies or express preferences?

Use comparatives and preference phrases: “I prefer hiking to running because it’s easier on my knees.” “I’d rather stay in and read than go out tonight.” “For me, painting is more relaxing than writing.” Keep the tone respectful—preferences are personal, not judgments.

What are good classroom or self-study activities for this topic?

• Speed sharing: Talk about your hobby for 60 seconds, then switch partners.
• Ranking: Rank five hobbies by cost, difficulty, or social factor and justify your order.
• How-to mini talk: Explain three beginner steps for your hobby.
• Find a match: Circulate to find someone who shares one hobby and plan a simple activity.

How can I politely end a hobby conversation or change the topic?

Use soft transitions that appreciate the other person’s sharing: “That sounds awesome—thanks for the recommendations. By the way, have you tried any local classes?” or “I’d love to hear more next time. I should head to my meeting now.” This keeps the relationship positive.

How do I talk about costs, time, and challenges without sounding negative?

Balance honesty with solutions: “It can be expensive, so I borrow equipment from the community center,” or “I don’t have much time during the week, so I practice on Saturday mornings.” Framing challenges with strategies shows motivation and keeps the tone upbeat.

What are sample lines for exams (IELTS/TOEFL) or interviews?

Exam-style: “One hobby I enjoy is trail running. I usually run twice a week in the park near my home. I like it because it clears my mind and keeps me healthy. Compared to gym workouts, running outdoors feels more refreshing.”

Interview-style: “Outside of work, I enjoy volunteering at community concerts. It’s taught me event coordination and communication under pressure, which I bring to team projects.”

How can I show interest if I don’t share the same hobby?

Focus on universal themes: creativity, discipline, community, or relaxation. Say, “I don’t bake much, but I love how it brings people together,” or ask, “What’s one tip a beginner should know?” Respect and curiosity build connection even without shared experience.

What mini vocabulary set should I memorize first?

• Verbs: enjoy, prefer, practice, relax, improve, create, explore
• Nouns: routine, gear, class, club, teammate, schedule, progress
• Phrases: take up, try out, stick with, wind down, right up my alley

Combine them: “I took up watercolor to wind down after work, and joining a class helped me stick with it.”

Quick practice: Can I get a template?

Use this 3-line template and fill the blanks:

1. “In my free time, I [verb + hobby].”
2. “I usually [when/where/how often] because [reason].”
3. “One goal/tip is [goal or beginner advice].”

Example: “In my free time, I play the piano. I usually practice for 30 minutes after dinner because it helps me relax. One goal is to learn two jazz standards this month.”

Daily English Guide for Beginners: Speak with Confidence Every Day