What does it mean word for word?
The phrase can be broken down as follows: shumi (趣味) means hobby. gitā (ギター) is guitar. hiku (弾く) is the specific verb used for playing a string instrument. koto (こと) is a nominalizer that turns the act of playing into a noun phrase. And desu (です) functions as the polite copula "is".
Which one should you use?
The default form 趣味はギターを弾くことです is a standard way to structure the sentence. Another common way to express this is ギターを弾くのが趣味です (gitā o hiku no ga shumi desu), which translates more closely to "Playing guitar is my hobby".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal way to say this, you can use 私の趣味はギターを弾くことです. In this context, a man can use watakushi instead of watashi to say "I". A polite and standard version for most social situations is 趣味はギターを弾くことです, which ends in desu. For an informal setting, you can say 僕の趣味はギターを弾くことだよ, using boku as a common way for males to say "I" or "myself".
How does it change in a sentence?
The word koto (こと) is used to turn the verb hiku (to play) into a noun phrase so that the activity can function as the subject or complement of the sentence. The word desu (です) at the end of the sentence functions as the polite copula "is".
How do you pronounce it?
shumi wa gitā o hiku koto desu
Did you know?
- The word shumi can be used as a polite euphemism to describe a particular taste or preference in people, not just activities. In certain contexts, it can imply a 'particular' or unconventional attraction.
- The verb hiku literally means 'to pull'. This describes the physical action of plucking or pulling a string to produce a sound.
- If you were playing a drum, you could not use the verb from this phrase. Instead, you would use tataku (叩く), which means 'to strike' or 'to tap', because the physical interaction with the instrument is fundamentally different.
Examples in context
- 私の趣味はギターを弾くことです。Watashi no shumi wa gitā o hiku koto desu.My hobby is playing the guitar.
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are talking about their interests during a break.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲さんは、休みの日に何をしますか？Misaki-san wa, yasumi no hi ni nani o shimasu ka?What do you do on your days off, Misaki?
- 美咲 Misaki趣味はギターを弾くことです。Shumi wa gitā o hiku koto desu.My hobby is playing the guitar.
- 大翔 Hirotoすごいですね！いつから弾いていますか？Sugoi desu ne! Itsu kara hiite imasu ka?That's amazing! How long have you been playing?
- 美咲 Misaki三年前から練習しています。Sannen mae kara renshū shite imasu.I've been practicing since three years ago.
