Spanish Hobbies and Free Time: DELE A1 Complete Guide
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Want to practice first? Try a General Hobbies Quiz!
Key Takeaways
- Learn common activity and hobby vocabulary in Spanish
- Master “me gusta” and preference expressions
- Understand frequency adverbs and time phrases
- Learn sports, entertainment, and leisure terms
- Essential for DELE A1 personal interest discussions
Welcome to your complete guide to Spanish hobbies and free time vocabulary, essential for talking about your interests, leisure activities, and personal preferences on the DELE A1 exam. This vocabulary is crucial for personal conversations and describing your daily life.
Popular Hobbies and Activities
Common Leisure Activities
| Spanish | English | Example Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| leer | to read | Leo libros los fines de semana | I read books on weekends |
| escuchar música | to listen to music | Escucho música en mi casa | I listen to music at home |
| ver películas | to watch movies | Veo películas con mis amigos | I watch movies with my friends |
| cocinar | to cook | Cocino para mi familia | I cook for my family |
| bailar | to dance | Bailo salsa los sábados | I dance salsa on Saturdays |
DELE A1 Tip: When using “me gusta” with verb activities, use the infinitive form: “me gusta leer” not “me gusta leo.”
Sports and Physical Activities
Sports Vocabulary
| Spanish | English | Example Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| el fútbol | soccer | Juego al fútbol con mis amigos | I play soccer with my friends |
| el baloncesto | basketball | El baloncesto es mi deporte favorito | Basketball is my favorite sport |
| nadar | to swim | Nado en la piscina en verano | I swim in the pool in summer |
| correr | to run | Corro en el parque por la mañana | I run in the park in the morning |
| el tenis | tennis | Juego al tenis los domingos | I play tennis on Sundays |
Creative Hobbies
Arts and Creative Activities
| Spanish | English | Example Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| dibujar | to draw | Dibujo en mi tiempo libre | I draw in my free time |
| pintar | to paint | Pinto paisajes los fines de semana | I paint landscapes on weekends |
| tocar un instrumento | to play an instrument | Toco la guitarra | I play the guitar |
| cantar | to sing | Canto en el coro de la escuela | I sing in the school choir |
| escribir | to write | Escribo poemas por la noche | I write poems at night |
Expressing Preferences
Using Gustar and Preferences
| Spanish Expression | English Translation | Example | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| me gusta | I like | Me gusta leer | I like to read |
| me encanta | I love | Me encanta bailar | I love to dance |
| prefiero | I prefer | Prefiero ver películas | I prefer to watch movies |
| no me gusta | I don’t like | No me gusta cocinar | I don’t like to cook |
| odio | I hate | Odio limpiar | I hate cleaning |
Frequency and Time Expressions
Talking About How Often
| Spanish | English | Example Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| siempre | always | Siempre leo antes de dormir | I always read before sleeping |
| a veces | sometimes | A veces voy al cine | I sometimes go to the movies |
| nunca | never | Nunca juego al golf | I never play golf |
| los fines de semana | on weekends | Los fines de semana descanso | On weekends I rest |
| en mi tiempo libre | in my free time | En mi tiempo libre escucho música | In my free time I listen to music |
Outdoor Activities
Nature and Outdoor Hobbies
| Spanish | English | Example Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| pasear | to walk | Paseo por el parque | I walk through the park |
| ir de excursión | to go hiking | Voy de excursión las montañas | I go hiking in the mountains |
| jardinería | gardening | Hago jardinería en mi casa | I do gardening at my house |
| acampar | to camp | Acampo con mi familia en verano | I camp with my family in summer |
| ciclismo | cycling | Hago ciclismo los domingos | I go cycling on Sundays |
Social Activities
Group and Social Hobbies
| Spanish | English | Example Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| salir con amigos | to go out with friends | Salgo con amigos los viernes | I go out with friends on Fridays |
| jugar juegos de mesa | to play board games | Jugamos juegos de mesa en familia | We play board games as a family |
| ir de compras | to go shopping | Voy de compras con mi hermana | I go shopping with my sister |
| visitar museos | to visit museums | Visitamos museos los domingos | We visit museums on Sundays |
| cenar fuera | to eat out | Cenamos fuera los sábados | We eat out on Saturdays |
DELE A1 Exam Practice
Speaking Section Examples
- Talk about hobbies: “Me gusta leer y escuchar música” – “I like to read and listen to music”
- Discuss frequency: “A veces juego al fútbol con mis amigos” – “I sometimes play soccer with my friends”
- Express preferences: “Prefiero nadar que correr” – “I prefer swimming to running”
- Describe weekends: “Los fines de semana veo películas con mi familia” – “On weekends I watch movies with my family”
Writing Section Examples
- Write about your favorite hobbies and why you like them
- Describe what you do in your free time
- Write about your weekend activities
- Create a dialogue about hobbies and interests
Common Hobby Questions
DELE A1 Hobby Questions
- ¿Qué te gusta hacer en tu tiempo libre? – What do you like to do in your free time?
- ¿Practicas algún deporte? – Do you practice any sports?
- ¿Cuál es tu hobby favorito? – What is your favorite hobby?
- ¿Con qué frecuencia vas al cine? – How often do you go to the movies?
Hobby-Related Vocabulary
Useful Hobby Terms
- el pasatiempo – hobby/pastime
- la actividad – activity
- el interés – interest
- la diversión – entertainment/fun
- el ocio – leisure
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong verb form: ❌ “me gusta leo” ✅ “me gusta leer“
- Missing “a”: ❌ “juego fútbol” ✅ “juego al fútbol“
- Wrong preposition: ❌ “en los fines de semana” ✅ “los fines de semana“
Next Step: Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to check your understanding of Spanish hobbies and free time?
Take our DELE A1 Spanish Hobbies Quiz here to confirm you’re ready for this part of the exam.
What’s Next in Your DELE A1 Journey?
- Ready for daily routines? Study Spanish Daily Routine Vocabulary
- Need more activities? Review Spanish Sports and Activities
- Practice all A1 vocabulary? Take a Full A1 Vocabulary Test
Good luck with your DELE A1 preparation!
