das  Hobby

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈhɔbi/

🎨 What Exactly is a Hobby?

Das Hobby (noun, neuter) refers to a favorite pastime or leisure activity pursued regularly in one's free time for pleasure, relaxation, or personal interest, typically without the primary goal of earning money. It's an activity one engages in for enjoyment.

It is a loanword from English.

Examples: painting (Malen), reading (Lesen), gardening (Gärtnern), stamp collecting (Sammeln von Briefmarken), playing sports (Sport treiben), making music (Musizieren).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "das Hobby" in Detail

The word "Hobby" is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). It is declined as follows:

📝 Example Sentences

• Mein Hobby ist Fotografieren. (My hobby is photography.)
• Welches Hobby hast du? (What hobby do you have?)
• Er widmet seinem Hobby viel Zeit. (He dedicates a lot of time to his hobby.)
• Sie hat viele interessante Hobbys. (She has many interesting hobbies.)

💡 How "Hobby" is Used

The term "Hobby" is used very frequently in German to talk about leisure activities and personal interests. It's a firm part of everyday vocabulary.

• Context: Mostly in conversations about free time activities (Freizeitgestaltung), personal preferences (persönliche Vorlieben), relaxation (Entspannung), and balancing work or school.
• Distinction: A Hobby is typically unpaid and serves enjoyment, unlike a Beruf (profession, paid job) or a Pflicht (duty, required task). Sometimes, however, a hobby can become a Berufung (calling).
• Plural: The plural is "Hobbys" (not "Hobbiese" or similar).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

For the article 'das': Think of a hobby as often being something neutral – not typically male or female. It's simply 'das Ding' (the thing) you like to do. Alternatively, remember that many English loanwords ending in -y are neuter in German: das Baby, das Handy, das Hobby.

For the meaning: A Hobby makes you go 'Hoppla!' (Whoops! / Wow!) with how much fun free time can be! It almost hops (like a 'hobby horse') with joy into your life.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Similar, but Different Words:

• Berufung: (Calling) An activity one feels is their inner purpose, can be a hobby or a profession.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette keine Hobbys auf?

Weil sie keinen Körper dafür haben! 😄

(Why don't skeletons take up hobbies? Because they don't have the body for it!)

✍️ A Poem About Hobbies

Die Arbeit ruht, der Tag ist frei,
Zeit für mein Hobby, eins, zwei, drei!
Ob Malen, Basteln, Lesen, Sport,
Es trägt mich an den schönsten Ort. Das Hobby, ja, das ist mein Glück,
Bringt Freude mir, Stück für Stück.

(Work rests, the day is free,
Time for my hobby, one, two, three!
Whether painting, crafting, reading, sports,
It takes me to the finest sorts
Of places. Yes, the hobby is my bliss,
Brings joy to me, piece by piece like this.)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich koste Zeit, doch selten Geld,
bin das, was dir am besten gefällt.
Nach Feierabend wart' ich schon,
bin deine liebste Passion.

Was bin ich? (Auflösung: das Hobby)

(I cost time, but seldom money,
I am what you like best, honey.
After work, I'm waiting near,
I am your passion held most dear.

What am I?
Answer: das Hobby)

🤓 Trivia and Origin

Etymology: The word "Hobby" comes from English and is a short form of "hobby-horse". Originally, this referred to a stick horse (Steckenpferd, a child's toy) or a small horse. Later, it was used metaphorically for a favorite pastime or pursuit. It was adopted into German as a loanword (Lehnwort) in the 19th century, keeping its neuter gender (das Hobby).