caitheamh aimsire
masculine
The English phrase 'hobby' is translated into Irish as caitheamh aimsire.
caitheamh aimsire refers to an activity done for enjoyment in spare time.
Meaning: activity done for enjoyment in spare time (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase caitheamh aimsire literally translates to 'spending of leisure time', where caitheamh means 'spending' or 'wasting' and aimsire means 'leisure time' or 'spare time'.
How does it change in a sentence?
caitheamh aimsire is a masculine noun phrase.
Did you know?
- The verb caith in caitheamh is the same word used for 'throwing' or 'casting' something, like a fishing line or a stone.
- Because caitheamh can mean 'wasting', calling a hobby a caitheamh aimsire can jokingly imply that the activity is a total waste of time.
- Because aimsir covers both 'time' and 'weather', a phrase about 'spending time' could be misinterpreted in very specific poetic contexts as 'spending the weather'.
Examples in context
- An bhfuil caitheamh aimsire agat?Do you have a hobby?
- Is caitheamh aimsire iontach é an léannacht.Reading is a wonderful hobby.
Example conversation
Niamh and Conor are chatting about their free time.
- NiamhAn bhfuil caitheamh aimsire agat, a Chonaire?Do you have a hobby, Conor?
- ConorTá, is maith liom an léamh.Yes, I like reading.
- NiamhIs caitheamh aimsire suimiúil é sin.That is an interesting hobby.
- ConorGo raibh maith agat, a Niamh.Thank you, Niamh.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hobby” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
