趣味
shumi[ɕɨmʲi]
The English word "hobbies" is translated into Japanese as 趣味 (shumi).
趣味 refers to activities that a person does for pleasure during their free time. While it primarily means hobbies, the idiomatic phrase 趣味がいい is used to describe someone who has good taste or a refined aesthetic sense.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 趣味 can be combined with the prefix 多 (meaning many) to form 多趣味, which acts as an adjective-like noun to describe a person who has many hobbies.
How do you pronounce it?
shumi
What mistakes should you avoid?
Japanese does not distinguish between singular and plural for 趣味, so you should use the same word whether you are talking about one hobby or multiple hobbies.
Did you know?
- The phrase 趣味が合う is used to describe two people who 'click' or are compatible, regardless of whether they actually share a specific hobby.
- While English speakers might list 'watching TV' as a hobby, Japanese speakers often distinguish between 趣味 and simple 'time-killing' activities like 暇つぶし.
- In Japanese social settings, listing 趣味 is a common way to avoid talking about more personal or sensitive topics during first introductions.
Examples in context
- 彼は多趣味だ。He has a lot of hobbies.This sentence shows how to use 趣味 to say someone has many hobbies.Tatoeba #102569 by bunbuku, translation #301125 by CK
- 趣味は何ですか。What are your hobbies?This sentence is a way to ask someone what their hobbies are using 趣味.Tatoeba #148465 by tommy__san, translation #2646222 by CK
- 趣味は空手と書道です。My hobbies are karate and calligraphy.This sentence demonstrates how to list specific hobbies using 趣味.Tatoeba #3400726 by tommy_san, translation #7766730 by metcaslix
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two classmates are chatting during a break.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔くんは、何か趣味がありますか。Daito-kun wa, nanika shumi ga arimasu ka.Daito, do you have any hobbies?
- 大翔 Hirotoはい。最近は料理が趣味です。Hai. Saikin wa ryouri ga shumi desu.Yes. Cooking is my hobby lately.
- 美咲 Misakiいいですね！私も料理が好きです。Ii desu ne! Watashi mo ryouri ga suki desu.That's nice! I like cooking too.
- 大翔 Hiroto今度、おすすめのレシピを教えますね。Kondo, osusume no reshipi o oshiemasu ne.I'll tell you some recommended recipes next time.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 趣味, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
