What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into the following parts: 趣味 (shumi) means "hobby" or "interest". 美術 (bijutsu) refers to "art", specifically fine arts. The particle は (wa) serves as a topic marker to indicate that the hobby is the subject of the sentence. And です (desu) is the polite copula meaning "is/am/are".
Which one should you use?
While 美術 (bijutsu) is used for fine arts like painting and sculpture, you may encounter 芸術 (geijutsu), which refers to art in a broader, more philosophical or aesthetic sense. For different sentence structures, you can also say 美術が趣味です to mean "Art is my hobby".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The standard form 趣味は美術です is polite and suitable for most social settings. For a more formal approach, you can use 私の趣味は美術です. In informal settings, such as among friends, you can use 趣味は美術だよ or 美術が趣味なんだ.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai dialect, you can use the expression 趣味は美術やわ to say "my hobby is art".
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle は (wa) is used to mark the topic of the sentence, which in this case is the hobby. The sentence is concluded with the polite copula です (desu).
How do you pronounce it?
shumi wa bijutsu desu
Did you know?
- The word 趣味 can be used to describe a person's specific 'taste' in things, such as people or fashion. Saying someone has 'strange' 趣味 often means they have unusual preferences rather than an odd leisure activity.
- While 美術 refers to fine arts, the broader term 芸術 is used for things that reach a level of 'perfection' or 'mastery'. A person might describe a perfectly cooked meal as 芸術 even if it is not a painting or sculpture.
- When talking about hobbies in a group, Japanese speakers often use the phrase 趣味と言えるほどではありませんが meaning 'it is not enough to be called a hobby, but'. This humble opening is common before stating one's interest in 美術.
Examples in context
- 趣味は美術です。Shumi wa bijutsu desu.My hobby is art.
- 子供の頃からの趣味は美術です。Kodomo no koro kara no shumi wa bijutsu desu.My hobby has been art since I was a child.
- 私の趣味は美術です。美術館によく行きます。Watashi no shumi wa bijutsu desu. Bijutsukan ni yoku ikimasu.My hobby is art. I often go to art museums.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are introducing themselves at a social gathering.
- 健太 Kenta健太です。趣味は美術です。Kenta desu. Shumi wa bijutsu desu.I'm Kenta. My hobby is art.
- 結衣 Yui結衣です。私も美術が好きです。Yui desu. Watashi mo bijutsu ga suki desu.I'm Yui. I like art too.
- 健太 Kenta本当ですか？絵を描くのが好きですか？Hontou desu ka? E o kaku no ga suki desu ka?Really? Do you like drawing?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、水彩画を描いています。Hai, suisaiga o kaite imasu.Yes, I paint with watercolors.
