Lesson 2: Hobbies & Free Time (趣味)
Learn how to talk about hobbies, free time activities, and write simple self-introductions.
In this lesson, you will learn how to talk about your hobbies and things you like to do, describe how you spend your days off, read staff introductions, and write your own self-introduction.
Key topics:
- ・Talking about hobbies (しゅみはなんですか?)
- ・Expressing likes with ___こと/ __ のがすきです
- ・Describing free time activities
- ・Using particles と (with) and で (at)
- ・Sequencing actions with て-form
- ・Reading and writing staff introductions
- ・Describing abilities with ___ができます
Vocabulary
1
きく
kiku
聴く
to listen
Example
まいあさニュースを聴きます.
Maiasa nyūsu o kikimasu.
I listen to the news every morning.
2
よむ
yomu
読む
to read
Example
まいにちしんぶんを読みます.
Mainichi shinbun o yomimasu.
I read the newspaper every day.
3
とる
toru
撮る
to take (a photo, video)
Example
うつくしいけしきを撮ります.
Utsukushii keshiki o torimasu.
I take a picture of beautiful scenery.
4
ひく
hiku
弾く
to play (an instrument)
Example
ピアノを弾きます.
Piano o hikimasu.
I play the piano.
5
はなす
hanasu
話す
to talk
Example
ともだちとはなしました.
Tomodachi to hanashimashita.
I talked with friends.
6
おしえる
oshieru
教える
to tell
Example
せんせいがあたらしいたんごを教えます.
Sensei ga atarashii tango o oshiemasu.
The teacher tells new words.
7
ならう
narau
習う
to learn
Example
ギターを習います.
Gitā o naraimasu.
I learn guitar.
8
できる
dekiru
出来る
to be able to do something
Example
日本語でてがみができます.
Nihongo de tegami ga dekimasu.
I can write a letter in Japanese.
9
でかける
dekakeru
出かける
to go out
Example
これからともだちと出かけます.
Korekara tomodachi to dekakemasu.
I'm going out with a friend now.
10
しゅみ
shumi
趣味
hobby
Example
まいにち趣味をします.
Mainichi shumi o shimasu.
I do my hobby every day.
11
おんがく
ongaku
音楽
music
Example
おんがくを ききます.
Ongaku o kikimasu.
I listen to music.
12
りょうり
ryōri
料理
cooking
Example
にほんりょうりがすきです.
Nihon ryōri ga suki desu.
I like Japanese food.
13
りょこう
ryokō
旅行
travel
Example
らいげつかいがい旅行をします.
Raigetsu kaigai ryokō o shimasu.
I will travel abroad next month.
14
つり
tsuri
釣り
fishing
Example
しゅうまつに釣りにいきます.
Shūmatsu ni tsuri ni ikimasu.
I go fishing on weekends.
15
アウトドア
autodoa
-
outdoor / outdoors
Example
まいにちアウトドアをたのしみます.
Mainichi autodoa o tanoshimimasu.
I enjoy the outdoors every day.
16
サイクリング
saikuringu
-
cycling
Example
しゅうまつにサイクリングをたのしみます.
Shūmatsu ni saikuringu o tanoshimimasu.
I enjoy cycling on weekends.
17
いけばな
ikebana
生け花
ikebana (flower arrangement)
Example
ははは生け花をおしえます.
Haha wa ikebana o oshiemasu.
My mother teaches ikebana.
18
おしゃべり
oshaberi
-
chatting
Example
ともだちとおしゃべりします.
Tomodachi to oshaberi shimasu.
I chat with friends.
19
テニス
tenisu
-
tennis
Example
しゅうまつにテニスをします.
Shūmatsu ni tenisu o shimasu.
I play tennis on weekends.
20
やきゅう
yakyū
野球
baseball
Example
ちちと野球をします.
Chichi to yakyū o shimasu.
I play baseball with my father.
21
キャッチボール
kyatchibōru
-
playing catch
Example
ちちとこうえんでキャッチボールをしました.
Chichi to kōen de kyatchibōru o shimashita.
I played catch with my father in the park.
22
し
shi
市
city
Example
この市をたずねます.
Kono shi o tazunemasu.
I visit this city.
23
たいいくかん
taiikukan
体育館
gym
Example
がっこうの体育館でバスケをします.
Gakkō no taiikukan de basuke o shimasu.
We play basketball in the school gym.
24
うみ
umi
海
sea / ocean
Example
なつは海でおよぎます.
Natsu wa umi de oyogimasu.
I swim in the sea in summer.
25
やま
yama
山
mountain
Example
らいげつともだちと山にのぼります.
Raigetsu tomodachi to yama ni noborimasu.
I'm climbing a mountain with friends next month.
26
ほん
hon
本
book
Example
まいにち本をよみます.
Mainichi hon o yomimasu.
I read a book every day.
27
しゃしん
shashin
写真
photograph
Example
りょこうの写真をとりました.
Ryokō no shashin o torimashita.
I took photos of my trip.
28
もの
mono
物
thing / something
Example
おいしい物をたべます.
Oishii mono o tabemasu.
I eat something delicious.
29
こと
koto
事
thing / something
Example
たいせつな事をわすれました.
Taisetsu na koto o wasuremashita.
I forgot something important.
30
__ ご
go
語
__ language
Example
フランス語をべんきょうします.
Furansu go o benkyō shimasu.
I study French.
31
ことば
kotoba
言葉
word
Example
あたらしい言葉をまいにちおぼえます.
Atarashii kotoba o mainichi oboemasu.
I learn new words every day.
32
にんかぞく
kazoku
家族
family
Example
わたしたちは四人家族です.
Watashitachi wa yonin kazoku desu.
We are a family of four.
33
おこさん
okosan
お子さん
someone's child
Example
お子さんはなんさいですか.
Okosan wa nansai desu ka.
How old is your child?
34
むすめ
musume
娘
daughter
Example
わたしの娘はがっこうにいきます.
Watashi no musume wa gakkō ni ikimasu.
My daughter goes to school.
35
ぼく
boku
僕
I (usually used by male person)
Example
ぼくが行きます.
Boku ga ikimasu.
I will go.
36
__ じん
jin
人
people from __
Example
かれはアメリカ人とはなします.
Kare wa Amerika jin to hanashimasu.
He talks with Americans.
37
__ にん
nin
人
__ person(s)
Example
パーティーにじゅう人きました.
Pātī ni jū nin kimashita.
Ten people came to the party.
38
なんにん
nannin
何人
how many people / persons
Example
クラスに何人いますか.
Kurasu ni nannin imasu ka.
How many people are in the class?
39
ひとり
hitori
一人
one person
Example
きょうは一人でべんきょうしました.
Kyō wa hitori de benkyō shimashita.
Today I studied alone (by myself).
40
ふたり
futari
二人
two people
Example
二人でりょこうにいきました.
Futari de ryokō ni ikimashita.
The two of us went on a trip together.
41
まいしゅう
maishū
毎週
every week
Example
毎週にちようびにえいがをみます.
Maishū nichiyōbi ni eiga o mimasu.
I watch movies every Sunday.
42
ゆうがた
yūgata
夕方
early evening
Example
まいにち夕方にさんぽします.
Mainichi yūgata ni sanpo shimasu.
I take a walk every evening.
43
あと
ato
後
after, later
Example
あと、ゲームをするのが好きです.
Ato, geemu o suru no ga suki desu.
Also, I like playing games.
44
そのあと
sono ato
その後
after that __
Example
しょくじをして、その後えいがをみました.
Shokuji o shite, sono ato eiga o mimashita.
I ate a meal, and after that watched a movie.
45
いろいろ
iroiro
色々
various
Example
色々なくににいきます.
Iroiro na kuni ni ikimasu.
I go to various countries.
46
とくにない
tokuni nai
特に無い
nothing in particular
Example
きょうのよていは特に無いです.
Kyō no yotei wa tokuni nai desu.
I have nothing in particular planned for today.
47
ほんとうに
hontōni
本当に
really
Example
ほんとうに行きますか.
Hontōni ikimasu ka.
Will you really go?
48
とくに
tokuni
特に
especially
Example
とくにアイスクリームをたべます.
Tokuni aisukurīmu o tabemasu.
I especially eat ice cream.
Conversation
1
しゅみは？
Shumi wa?
What's your hobby?
Example Usage
えいがをみることです.
Eiga o miru koto desu.
Watching movies.
2
すきなことは？
Suki na koto wa?
What do you like to do?
Example Usage
おしゃべりです.
Oshaberi desu.
Chatting.
3
やすみのひは？
Yasumi no hi wa?
On your day off?
Example Usage
バドミントンをします.
Badominton o shimasu.
I play badminton.
4
どこで？
Doko de?
Where?
Example Usage
たいいくかんで.
Taiikukan de.
At the gym.
5
だれと？
Dare to?
With who?
Example Usage
ともだちと.
Tomodachi to.
With friends.
6
とくに __ がすき.
Tokuni __ ga suki.
I especially like __
Example Usage
とくにジブリがすきです.
Tokuni Jiburi ga suki desu.
I especially like Ghibli.
7
__ の？
no?
used to ask questions
Example Usage
あなたのほんですか.
Anata no hon desu ka.
Is it your book?
Kanji
1
__ 人
counter for people
人🎬
person
Example
パーティーにじゅう人きました.
Pātī ni jū nin kimashita.
Ten people came to the party.
2
__ 人
suffix for nationality
人🎬
person
Example
かれはアメリカ人とはなします.
Kare wa Amerika jin to hanashimasu.
He talks with Americans.
3
出かける
to go out
出🎬
exit, go out
Example
これからともだちと出かけます.
Korekara tomodachi to dekakemasu.
I'm going out with a friend now.
4
夕方
evening
夕🎬
evening
方🎬
direction, time
Example
まいにち夕方にさんぽします.
Mainichi yūgata ni sanpo shimasu.
I take a walk every evening.
5
家族
family
家🎬
house, family
族🎬
tribe, clan
Example
家族は四人です.
Kazoku wa yonin desu.
My family has four people.
6
音楽
music
音🎬
sound
楽🎬
music, pleasure
Example
まいにち音楽をききます.
Mainichi ongaku o kikimasu.
I listen to music every day.
7
習う
to learn
習🎬
learn, practice
Example
ギターを習います.
Gitā o naraimasu.
I learn guitar.
8
話す
to speak
話🎬
talk, speak
Example
せんせいと話します.
Sensei to hanashimasu.
I talk with my teacher.
9
本
book
本🎬
book
Example
まいにち本をよみます.
Mainichi hon o yomimasu.
I read a book every day.
10
山
mountain
山🎬
mountain
Example
らいげつともだちと山にのぼります.
Raigetsu tomodachi to yama ni noborimasu.
I'm climbing a mountain with friends next month.
Grammar Rules
Rule 1: Talking about hobbies with nominalized verbs
Structure: V-る + こと + です
This expression is used when talking about hobbies. ことです is added after the verb in dictionary form. It turns the verb into a noun-like phrase meaning「 doing [verb]."
How to use: Use V-る + ことです. The question form is 趣味は何ですか？. The negative is V-る + ことじゃないです. A related pattern is V-る + のが好きです, which focuses on likes rather than definition.
💡 Pro Tip: こと nominalizes a verb into a noun-like phrase. の can often replace こと, but こと is more formal and abstract. Do not use ます before こと: say 見ることです, not 見ますことです.
| Dictionary Form | Koto |
|---|---|
| 見る | 見(み)ることです |
| 聞く | 聞(き)くことです |
| ねる | ねることです |
| する | することです |
Examples
趣味は映画を見ることです.
Shumi wa eiga o miru koto desu.
→ My hobby is watching movies.
わたしの趣味は音楽を聞くことです.
Watashi no shumi wa ongaku o kiku koto desu.
→ My hobby is listening to music.
Rule 2: Saying what you like doing
Structure: V-る + の + が + 好きです
This expression is used when talking about one's likes. の is added to the verb in dictionary form, followed by が好きです. It means「 I like doing [verb].」
How to use: Use V-る + の + が + 好きです. The negative is ～のは好きじゃないです or ～のは好きじゃありません. The question form is ～のが好きですか？. A related pattern is ～のも好きです, which adds another liked action.
💡 Pro Tip: の and こと both nominalize verbs, but の is more natural with 好き. Do not use を with 好き; use が. 大好きです is stronger than 好きです.
| Dictionary Form | Noga |
|---|---|
| する | するのが好(す)きです |
| ごろごろする | ごろごろするのが好(す)きです |
| 見る | 見(み)るのが好(す)きです |
| 出かける | 出(で)かけるのが好(す)きです |
| 食べる | 食(た)べるのが好(す)きです |
| 話す | 話(はな)すのが好(す)きです |
| 読む | 読(よ)むのが好(す)きです |
| 行く | 行(い)くのが好(す)きです |
Examples
ゲームをするのが好きです.
Gēmu o suru no ga suki desu.
→ I like playing video games.
犬とゆうぶのが好きです.
Inu to asobu no ga suki desu.
→ I like playing with dogs.
Rule 3: Saying you love both doing and watching
Structure: V-る + の + も + V2-dict + の + も + 大好きです
This pattern uses の to nominalize verbs and も __ も to mean「 both __ and __". It expresses that you like or love multiple actions equally. The source example is テニスは、するのも見るのも大好きです.
How to use: Use V-る + のも + V2-dict + のも + 大好きです. The topic can be marked with は. The negative is ～のも～のも好きじゃないです. Related: ～のも好きです adds another liked action.
💡 Pro Tip: も __ も means「 both," while と lists nouns. Do not omit の: するも見るも is less natural. の is more natural than こと with 大好きです.
Examples
テニスは、するのも見るのも大好きです.
Tenisu wa, suru no mo miru no mo daisuki desu.
→ I love both playing and watching tennis.
音楽は、聞くのも歌うのも大好きです.
Ongaku wa, kiku no mo utau no mo daisuki desu.
→ I love both listening to and singing music.
Rule 4: Saying with whom and where you do something
Structure: [Person] + と + [Place] + で + V-ます
This expression is for talking about the person with whom one does something and the place of the action. The particle と indicates the person, while で indicates the place. They can be used in any order.
How to use: Use [Person] + と + [Place] + で + V-ます. Add an object with を if needed: [Person] + と + [Place] + で + [Object] + を + V-ます. Questions: だれとV-ますか？ and どこでV-ますか？. The negative is V-ません.
💡 Pro Tip: と marks「 with" a person, and で marks the action location. Do not use に for the place of action. The person and place phrases can swap order.
Examples
休みの日は、たいてい友だちと体いく館でバドミントンをします.
Yasumi no hi wa, taitei tomodachi to taiikukan de badominton o shimasu.
→ On my days off, I usually play badminton with friends at a gym.
週まつは、家族と公園でサッカーをします.
Shūmatsu wa, kazoku to kōen de sakkā o shimasu.
→ On weekends, I play soccer with my family at the park.
Rule 5: Connecting actions in sequence
Structure: V-て、V2
The verb in テ-form is used to connect two or more actions or events in sequence. バドミントンをします.そのあと、ご飯を食べます. becomes バドミントンをして、ご飯を食べます. It is used to talk about habits, past events, future plans, and hopes.
How to use: Use V-て、V2. The tense is determined by the final verb. Conjugation: する→して, 食べる→食べて, 見る→見て. A negative sequence can use V-ないで、V2. The question form is V-て、V2ますか？.
💡 Pro Tip: The テ-form itself does not show tense; the last verb does. Do not use the テ-form for contrast; use が. In casual speech, the テ-form is common for listing actions.
| Dictionary Form | Te |
|---|---|
| する | して |
| 食べる | 食(た)べて |
| 見る | 見(み)て |
Examples
さく日は、バドミントンをして、みんなでご飯を食べました.
Kinō wa, badominton o shite, minna de gohan o tabemashita.
→ Yesterday, we played badminton and then had dinner together.
朝、シャワーをよくびて、学校へ行きます.
Asa, shawā o abite, gakkō e ikimasu.
→ In the morning, I take a shower and go to school.
Rule 6: Talking about repeated activities or habits
Structure: V-て + います
The verb in テ-form + います indicates the present situation. It is used here to talk about what a person does repeatedly for a period of time or their habits. It can also describe an action in progress depending on context.
How to use: Use V-て + います. Conjugation: しゅうう→しゅうっています, する→しています, 勉強する→勉強しています. The question form is 何をしていますか？. The negative is V-ていません, and the past is V-ていました. In speech, ～ています is often pronounced ～てます.
💡 Pro Tip: This pattern can describe either a habit or an ongoing action; context decides. ～てます is casual. Do not use it for a single future action; use V-ます.
| Dictionary Form | Teimasu |
|---|---|
| しゅうう | しゅうっています |
| する | しています |
| 勉強する | 勉強(べんきょう)しています |
Examples
いけばなをしゅうっています.
Ikebana o naratte imasu.
→ I am learning flower arrangement.
毎朝、ジョギングをしています.
Maiasa, jogingu o shite imasu.
→ I jog every morning.
Rule 7: Saying you can do something
Structure: N + が + できます
できます indicates the ability of a person. It is used here to say that one has the ability to speak a language or do sports or music. Aside from languages, it is also used to describe sports or musical abilities.
How to use: Use N + が + できます. The question form is Nができますか？. The negative is Nができません, and the past is Nができました. It can be used with languages, sports, and musical abilities.
💡 Pro Tip: Use が with できます, not を. できます can also mean「 to be completed" or「 to be made" in other contexts. For a little ability, say しょうしできます.
Examples
日本語、英語、フィリピノ語、スペイン語ができます.
Nihongo, Eigo, Firipino-go, Supein-go ga dekimasu.
→ I can speak Japanese, English, Filipino, and Spanish.
妹はピアノができます.
Imōto wa piano ga dekimasu.
→ My younger sister can play the piano.
Exercises
Question 1: 'My hobby is watching movies.'
しゅみは えいがを ______ です.
Question 2: Which is correct for 'My hobby is listening to music.'?
Question 3: Which is correct for 'My hobby is not reading books.'?
Question 4: 'I like playing games.'
ゲームを ______ がすきです.
Question 5: Which is correct for 'I like playing with dogs.'?
Question 6: 'Do you like reading books?'
本を ______ がすきですか.
Question 7: Which is correct for 'I love both playing and watching tennis.'?
Question 8: Which is correct for 'I love both listening to and singing music.'?
Question 9: 'I play badminton with a friend at the gym.'
ともだち ______ たいいくかん ______ バドミントンをします.
Question 10: Which is correct for 'I play soccer with my family at the park.'?
Question 11: 'Who do you play badminton with?'
だれ ______ バドミントンをしますか.
Question 12: Which is correct for 'I go home, take a shower, and then sleep.'?
Question 13: 'Yesterday, we played badminton and then had dinner together.'
きのうは、バドミントンを ______ 、みんなで ごはんを たべました.
Question 14: 'I am learning flower arrangement.'
いけばなを ______.
Question 15: Which is correct for 'I jog every morning.'?
Question 16: 'I can speak Japanese and English.'
にほんごと えいご ______ できます.