What does it mean word for word?
The sentence is composed of the following parts: 趣味 (shumi) means hobby or interest. は (wa) is a particle that marks the hobby as the topic of the sentence. 料理 (ryōri) means cooking or cuisine. And です (desu) is the polite form of the verb "to be".
Which one should you use?
While 趣味は料理です is a standard way to state your hobby, you may also use 料理が趣味です (ryōri ga shumi desu). This alternative is a common way to say "Cooking is my hobby" and focuses more directly on the activity of cooking itself.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
趣味は料理です is a polite way to state your hobby, making it suitable for introductions to strangers or acquaintances. For an informal and conversational tone, you can replace です with だよ to say 趣味は料理だよ.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this sentence, the particle は marks 趣味 as the topic and です acts as the polite copula (the verb "to be").
How do you pronounce it?
shumi wa ryōri desu
Did you know?
- The word 料理 (ryōri) shares its roots with the idea of 'handling' or 'managing' things, not just food. In a broader sense, it can refer to managing a situation or dealing with a problem.
- If you want to sound more like a native, you might avoid the word 趣味 (shumi) altogether in casual conversation. Instead of saying 'my hobby is…', many Japanese people simply say 料理が好きです (ryōri ga suki desu), which means 'I like cooking'.
- The word 料理 (ryōri) is composed of two characters meaning 'material' and 'manage', reflecting a cultural view of cooking as the skillful management of ingredients.
Examples in context
- Watashi no shumi wa ryouri desu. (私の趣味は料理です)My hobby is cooking.
- Ryouri wo suru koto ga watashi no shumi desu. (料理をすることが私の趣味です)Doing cooking is my hobby.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are meeting for the first time at a social gathering.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さんの趣味は何ですか？Yui-san no shumi wa nan desu ka?What is your hobby, Yui?
- 結衣 Yui趣味は料理です。健太さんは？Shumi wa ryōri desu. Kenta-san wa?My hobby is cooking. How about you, Kenta?
- 健太 Kenta僕の趣味は映画を見ることです。Boku no shumi wa eiga o miru koto desu.My hobby is watching movies.
- 結衣 Yuiそれは素敵ですね！Sore wa suteki desu ne!That is wonderful!
