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See the whole course›Beginner 1›Self-Introduction

Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N5 · Beginner 1

趣味は〜ですshumi wa ~ desu

stating a hobby

Use 「趣味は〜です」 to name your hobby, and 「趣味は何ですか」 to ask about someone else’s.

Start the interactive lessonIllustrated cards, audio and speaking practice

How it works

  1. When you meet a new friend, you can introduce your hobby. What is her hobby in the picture?

    When you meet a new friend, you can introduce your hobby. What is her hobby in the picture?

  2. 「趣味は+noun+です」 introduces a hobby. Put the name of the hobby in the noun slot.

    「趣味は+noun+です」 introduces a hobby. Put the name of the hobby in the noun slot.

  3. Replace 「音楽」 with 「映画」 or 「ゲーム」 to introduce a different hobby.

    Replace 「音楽」 with 「映画」 or 「ゲーム」 to introduce a different hobby.

  4. To ask about someone’s hobby, say 「趣味は何ですか」. Here, 「何」 is read 「なん」.

    To ask about someone’s hobby, say 「趣味は何ですか」. Here, 「何」 is read 「なん」.

  5. To check whether someone’s hobby is gaming, ask 「趣味はゲームですか」. Add 「か」 at the end.

    To check whether someone’s hobby is gaming, ask 「趣味はゲームですか」. Add 「か」 at the end.

  6. After introducing your hobby, add 「あなたは?」, meaning “And you?”, to invite the other person to share theirs.

    After introducing your hobby, add 「あなたは?」, meaning “And you?”, to invite the other person to share theirs.

  7. When talking about hobbies, 「わたしは映画です」 means “My hobby is movies,” not “I am a movie.”

    When talking about hobbies, 「わたしは映画です」 means “My hobby is movies,” not “I am a movie.”

Example sentences

  • 趣味しゅみshumiはわwaゲームげーむgeemuですdesuかka

    Is your hobby gaming?

  • 趣味しゅみshumiはわwa映画えいがeiga

In a conversation

  • A
    しつれいですが、があなたの趣味しゅみは わ何なんですか。か

    Excuse me, what is your hobby?

  • B
    趣味しゅみは わ音楽おんがく

Check yourself

  1. Level 1 · Recognise

    Which sentence is correct?

  2. Level 1 · Recognise

    Listen and choose the meaning

  3. Level 2 · Build

    Put the words in order

    My hobby is music.

  4. Level 3 · Use

    What goes in the blank?

    趣味 すか

    Is your hobby games?

More grammar in this theme

  • 趣味は〜ですstating a hobby

Keep practising

Test your Japanese vocabulary12 adaptive questions, freeCheck your pronunciationRead aloud and get a scorePractise verb forms10-question conjugation quizSee the whole courseGrammar, vocabulary and quizzes by theme
ですdesu

My hobby is movies.

です。あなたですあなた
は?わ

My hobby is music. How about you?

  • A
    わたしは わ映画えいがです。です

    Mine is movies.

  • 私は〜ですPolite self-introduction
    〜人ですState someone’s nationality
    〜ですか/〜じゃありませんCheck and deny a guessed job
    〜の〜Link nouns and show relationships
    〜歳ですState someone’s age
    〜月〜日month and day
    いつasking when
    〜と〜joining two nouns
    〜も〜ですmatching information: too
    Previousいつ
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