趣味は音楽鑑賞です
shumi wa ongaku kanshō desu
The English phrase "my hobby is listening to music" is expressed in Japanese as 趣味は音楽鑑賞です (shumi wa ongaku kanshō desu).
This phrase is used to tell someone that listening to music is a favorite activity you do in your spare time. In Japanese, it is common to state a hobby using the pattern [Topic] は [Noun] です to provide a clear and concise answer. While the specific term 音楽鑑賞 refers to the act of listening to music with intent or appreciation, rather than just having it playing in the background, you might also encounter the verb phrase 音楽を聴く (ongaku o kiku) to mean "to listen to music".
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "As for my hobby, it is music appreciation" (趣味は音楽鑑賞です). The term 音楽鑑賞 (ongaku kanshō) specifically means "music appreciation".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 趣味は音楽鑑賞です is polite and suitable for introductions in formal or semi-formal settings, such as a job interview or meeting new people.
How does it change in a sentence?
A more casual or descriptive way to express this is 趣味は音楽を聴くことです (shumi wa ongaku o kiku koto desu), which uses a verb phrase instead of a noun.
How do you pronounce it?
shumi wa ongaku kanshō desu
Did you know?
- While 趣味 (shumi) means 'hobby', it is often considered too formal for casual conversations. Friends might instead use ハマっている (hamatte iru), which literally means 'to be stuck' or 'obsessed' with something.
- The word 鑑賞 (kanshō) shares its linguistic roots with the idea of 'viewing' or 'observing' art. Even though it is used for listening to music, the term carries a connotation of looking at or observing the performance with one's mind.
- The character 聴 in 聴く (kiku), used for listening to music, is a more specialized version of the character for 'hear' used in everyday conversation.
Examples in context
- 趣味は音楽鑑賞です。My hobby is listening to music.This sentence is useful for stating your hobby is listening to music.Tatoeba #3400864 by tommy_san, translation #251134 by CK
- 健太さんの趣味は音楽鑑賞です。Kenta-san no shumi wa ongaku kanshou desu.Kenta's hobby is listening to music.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are introducing themselves at a party.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さんは、趣味は何ですか？Kenta-san wa, shumi wa nan desu ka?Kenta, what is your hobby?
- 健太 Kenta私の趣味は音楽鑑賞です。Watashi no shumi wa ongaku kanshō desu.My hobby is listening to music.
- 美咲 Misakiいいですね！どんな音楽が好きですか？Ii desu ne! Donna ongaku ga suki desu ka?That's nice! What kind of music do you like?
- 健太 Kentaジャズが一番好きです。Jazu ga ichiban suki desu.I like jazz the most.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
