취미
chwimi[ˈt͡ɕʰɥi(ː)mi]
The Korean word for "hobby" is 취미 (chwimi).
취미 refers to an activity that one does for enjoyment during their spare time.
Meaning: activity done for enjoyment in spare time (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
chwimi
Did you know?
- When Koreans describe a very niche or unusual hobby, they might use the slang term 덕질 (deok-jil), which comes from the Japanese word 'otaku'.
- The word 취미 shares its Hanja roots with the concept of 'taste' or 'flavor', meaning the literal sense of a hobby is something that provides a certain 'flavor' to life.
- It is common in Korean social introductions to list a 'specialty' (특기) alongside a 취미, as the two are viewed as distinct categories of personal skill and leisure.
Examples in context
- 톰의 취미는 장미를 키우는 것이다.Tom's hobby is growing roses.This sentence is useful for describing what someone's hobby is.Tatoeba #13118808 by romzzo, translation #10778656 by CK
- 내 취미는 오래된 동전을 수집하는 것이다.My hobby is collecting old coins.This sentence is useful for describing a personal hobby.Tatoeba #11106742 by intertime, translation #321510 by CK
- 취미는 뭐에요?
으음, 사진이려나.What's your hobby?
Hmm, I suppose photography.This sentence is useful for asking someone about their hobby and providing a response. - 저는 음악 감상이 취미입니다.My hobby is listening to music.
- 우리 회사 직원들은 주로 사진 촬영 등 레저 활동을 즐깁니다.Our company employees mainly enjoy leisure activities such as photography.
- 나의 취미는 게임하는 거야.My hobby is playing games.
- 우리 둘 다 테니스 취미생활을 하고 있어.Both of us are into tennis as our hobby.
- 여행을 다니는 것이 제 취미입니다.Traveling is my hobby.
- 이번 주말에 독서 동아리에 가입해볼까 생각 중이야.I'm thinking of joining a book club this weekend.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are talking about their interests.
- 민준 Min-jun수빈 씨는 취미가 뭐예요?Subin ssineun chwimiga mwo-yeyo?Subin, what is your hobby?
- 수빈 Su-bin제 취미는 요리하는 거예요.je chwimineun yorihaneun geoyeyo.My hobby is cooking.
- 민준 Min-jun정말 멋진 취미네요!jeongmal meotjin chwimineyo!That's a really cool hobby!
- 수빈 Su-bin감사합니다. 민준 씨는요?gamsahamnida. Minjun ssineun-yo?Thank you. How about you, Minjun?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hobby” translations and entries 취미, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 취미, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
