趣味は歌うことです
shumi wa utau koto desu
To say my hobby is singing in Japanese, use 趣味は歌うことです (shumi wa utau koto desu).
趣味は歌うことです is a natural way to tell someone that singing is what you enjoy in your free time, for example when introducing yourself.
What does it mean word for word?
趣味 (shumi) means hobby, 歌う (utau) is the verb to sing, こと (koto) turns the verb into a noun and です (desu) is the polite copula.
Which one should you use?
You can add my at the start with 僕の趣味は歌うことなんだ. Using 僕 gives a more masculine tone.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
趣味は歌うことです is polite and suits new acquaintances. Dropping です gives 趣味は歌うこと, which is informal and fine with close friends.
How does it change in a sentence?
こと is needed because a verb cannot come directly before です. It turns to sing into singing.
How do you pronounce it?
It is read shumi wa utau koto desu.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often leave out こと and say 趣味は歌うです, which is grammatically incorrect.
Did you know?
- In Japan, if you say your hobby is 'singing', people will likely assume you mean going to 'karaoke' boxes with friends rather than practicing vocal technique alone.
- When describing a hobby in a formal context, Japanese speakers might use 嗜み (tashinami) instead of 趣味 (shumi) to imply the activity is a cultured pursuit or a refined skill.
- In Japanese, the word 趣味 (shumi) can be used to describe someone's 'taste' or 'aesthetic preference', meaning you can use it to comment on someone's style of clothing or art.
Examples in context
- 歌うことがわたしのしゅみです。Singing is my hobby.
- 最近の趣味は歌うことです。saikin no shumi wa utau koto desu.My recent hobby is singing.
Example conversation
Two people are introducing themselves at a casual party.
- 結衣 Yui健太さんの趣味は何ですか？kenta-san no shumi wa nan desu ka?Kenta, what is your hobby?
- 健太 Kenta私の趣味は歌うことです。watashi no shumi wa utau koto desu.My hobby is singing.
- 結衣 Yuiいいですね！私も歌うのが大好きです。ii desu ne! watashi mo utau no ga daisuki desu.That's nice! I also love singing.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さんも歌が好きなんですね。yui-san mo uta ga suki nan desu ne.So you like singing too, Yui.
