Hobbies in German

Are you able to discuss your hobbies in German? Being able to talk about your interests in two languages makes them even more engaging, and you might discover something new in the process.

Continue reading to find out more about how Germans spend their leisure time and how to talk about your own favorite activities.

Common German Verbs and Phrases to Talk About Hobbies

Here is a very useful word you'll need for this post:

das Hobby — hobby

If you need the plural form, it's quite straightforward:

die Hobbies — hobbies

To quickly build your vocabulary, let's examine a few essential German hobby terms.

Words for Popular Hobbies in German

Here are some common hobbies and their German translations:

singento singmalento paintSki laufento skireisento travelbowlento bowlnähento sewtanzento dancezockento gamblefischento fisheinkaufento shopzeichnento drawcampen gehento campkochento cookfotografierento photograph

Additional Verbs for Talking About Hobbies

Naturally, the verbs you use to discuss your hobby will depend on what you enjoy doing. We suggest looking up the infinitive form of your hobby in an online dictionary .

Some other verbs you might use with a noun include:

spielento playschreibento writeaufführento performkonkurrierento competesammelnto collectspielento play

A poet might tell you:

Ich schreibe die Zweizeiler. — I write couplets.

Or if your sister competes in a dance event? You would say:

Meine Schwester konkurriert im Tanzturnieren. — My sister competes in dance tournaments.

These are just a few examples of how to talk about the hobbies you enjoy.

German Phrases for Describing Your Interests

Besides using action words to describe what we like to do, we can also discuss our hobbies in a more general manner.

Here are some German phrases you might consider learning to express your feelings about your hobby:

Ich ___ gerne. — I like to [verb conjugated in simple present].

Ich mag ___. — I like [infinitive verb].

Ich ___ ___ gut. — I [verb conjugated in simple present] [noun] well.

Ich kann gut ___. — I’m good at [noun] [infinitive verb].

Here are some examples using the structures above:

Ich tanze gerne. — I like to dance.

Ich mag kochen. — I like cooking.

Ich spiele Baseball gut. — I play baseball well.

Ich kann gut Deutsch sprechen. — I speak German well.

Now, you might be curious about the difference between saying, for instance, "I like painting pictures" and "I like to paint pictures." In German, it depends on what you want to express.

For example, you would say:

Ich mag Bilder malen. — I like painting pictures.

Ich male gerne Bilder. — I like to paint pictures.

Both sentences indicate that you enjoy painting pictures. However, there are subtle distinctions: The first one states that you like the activity of painting pictures, while the second suggests that you prefer painting pictures over other activities.

You could just as easily say:

Ich male gerne Landschaften. — I like to paint landscapes.

As with any language, it depends on what you intend to express. You can develop a more natural way of speaking by listening to German speakers converse.

Popular German Hobbies

While you cannot stereotype German people into having specific pastimes or hobbies, there are many popular activities they share with people around the world.

Cooking and Drinking

Germans enjoy cooking . They bake bread and, naturally, prepare sausage for their guests, family, and friends. Good food is something nearly everyone can appreciate.

And to accompany good food, Germans love their alcohol, especially beer! Although, to be honest, for many, drinking is more a part of daily life than a mere pastime.

Societal rules regarding alcohol consumption are much more relaxed than in the States, so often it's a more casual affair.

Foreign Flicks and Crime Series

Like many of us, Germans are fond of their TV shows and movies .

While most Americans see few foreign films, in Germany they are just as common as domestic films. This provides German audiences with a broader cultural perspective than you might find in American cinema.

But, of course, both cultures—and probably many others—appreciate the excitement of dramatic TV series. Germans are particularly fond of the TV show Tatort, meaning "crime scene." There's nothing quite as satisfyingly suspenseful as solving a murder mystery.

Traveling and Exploring

Germans also love to discover the world around them . Be it weekend getaways or trips to nearby and distant countries, Germans are explorers and adventurers.

Perhaps it's due to the closeness of many different cultures or simply a case of wanderlust (were you aware this word comes from German?), but the desire to see new places and experience new things captivates the German people.

Sports and Fußball (Soccer)

But one of the most popular hobbies among die Deutschen (the Germans) is soccer, or what they call Fußball.

The Bundesliga Fantasy Manager is a soccer program similar to U.S. Fantasy Football leagues. If you ever wish to try your hand at German soccer, this is a great starting point.

The word Bundesliga means "federal league" in German. Mention it to almost any German you meet and they will know what you're referring to.

In fact, an entire culture has developed around teams, games, coaches, players, and more. This culture is comparable to American football, complete with songs and chants dedicated to German football.

If you're interested in German soccer or the Bundesliga, look at these German sports terms or these German soccer terms to learn and add to your vocabulary. Not only will you be taking part in a significant cultural German activity, but you'll also be enhancing your language skills simultaneously.

Why Learn How to Talk About Hobbies in German?

• Hobbies help us connect with the world and the people around us. We can express ourselves and our interests in a common subject or field. Whether you join others in hiking famous mountains, visiting historic sites, or even completing levels in a video game, hobbies enable you to connect with your peers, both in person and online.
• Discussing your hobby in German also helps you expand your vocabulary. In fact, you may find it easier to remember vocabulary related to your hobby simply because it's your interest! You'll learn new verbs, nouns, and adjectives to describe what you're doing and how you're doing it.
• Finally, talking about your hobbies in German can be a wonderful way to learn about—and even try out—other hobbies. As your German fluency grows, you'll delve deeper into the German lifestyle, hobbies, traditions, and cultural aspects of Germany. After all, languages are always closely tied to the people who speak them!

Where to Practice Talking About Hobbies in German

Essentially, practicing your German to discuss hobbies involves focusing on vocabulary terms for your chosen hobby. Here are some methods you can use to practice:

• We suggest this flashcard set from Quizlet for words you will likely use when talking about your hobby.
• If you enjoy playing sports, you will probably find these Quizlet flashcards helpful .
• If you have already gathered a list of vocabulary words, you can use this free wordsearch creator . Include a few words you find challenging that may not be related to your hobby for extra practice. Just remember to use an "e" instead of an umlaut.

Hobbies unite people. Now you can talk about your hobbies in German—and perhaps you'll find some new German-speaking friends who share your interests!