Hobbies and Free Time in Spanish: A1 Vocabulary Guide
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Key Takeaways
- Learn Spanish vocabulary for common hobbies and leisure activities
- Master phrases for talking about what you like to do in your free time
- Understand how to use the verb “gustar” to express preferences
- Practice conversations about interests and making plans with friends
Talk About Your Interests in Spanish
After learning about daily routines, let’s explore the fun part – your free time! Being able to talk about hobbies and interests is essential for making friends and having meaningful conversations in Spanish.
Popular Hobbies (Pasatiempos Populares)
Common activities people enjoy in their free time.
| English | Spanish | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| To read | leer | Leo novelas los fines de semana. (I read novels on weekends.) |
| To watch movies | ver películas | Veo películas en el cine. (I watch movies at the cinema.) |
| To listen to music | escuchar música | Escucho música mientras estudio. (I listen to music while studying.) |
| To play sports | practicar deportes | Practico deportes con amigos. (I play sports with friends.) |
| To cook | cocinar | Cocino platos nuevos los domingos. (I cook new dishes on Sundays.) |
| To travel | viajar | Viajo a diferentes países. (I travel to different countries.) |
| To take photos | sacar fotos | Saco fotos de paisajes bonitos. (I take photos of beautiful landscapes.) |
Sports and Physical Activities (Deportes y Actividades Físicas)
Vocabulary for staying active.
| English | Spanish | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Soccer | el fútbol | Juego al fútbol los sábados. (I play soccer on Saturdays.) |
| Basketball | el baloncesto | El baloncesto es mi deporte favorito. (Basketball is my favorite sport.) |
| Swimming | la natación | La natación es muy saludable. (Swimming is very healthy.) |
| Running | correr | Corro en el parque por la mañana. (I run in the park in the morning.) |
| Cycling | el ciclismo | El ciclismo es buen ejercicio. (Cycling is good exercise.) |
| Gym | el gimnasio | Voy al gimnasio tres veces por semana. (I go to the gym three times a week.) |
Creative and Indoor Activities (Actividades Creativas y de Interior)
Hobbies for relaxation and creativity.
| English | Spanish | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| To paint | pintar | Pinto paisajes en mi tiempo libre. (I paint landscapes in my free time.) |
| To draw | dibujar | Dibujo retratos de mis amigos. (I draw portraits of my friends.) |
| To play an instrument | tocar un instrumento | Toco la guitarra desde niño. (I play guitar since I was a child.) |
| To write | escribir | Escribo poemas y cuentos. (I write poems and stories.) |
| To dance | bailar | Bailo salsa los viernes por la noche. (I dance salsa on Friday nights.) |
| To play video games | jugar videojuegos | Juego videojuegos con mis hermanos. (I play video games with my siblings.) |
Social Activities (Actividades Sociales)
Hobbies involving other people.
| English | Spanish | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| To go out with friends | salir con amigos | Salgo con amigos los fines de semana. (I go out with friends on weekends.) |
| To go to the cinema | ir al cine | Vamos al cine cada viernes. (We go to the cinema every Friday.) |
| To go to concerts | ir a conciertos | Voy a conciertos de música rock. (I go to rock music concerts.) |
| To go to restaurants | ir a restaurantes | Vamos a restaurantes nuevos. (We go to new restaurants.) |
| To have parties | hacer fiestas | Hacemos fiestas en casa. (We have parties at home.) |
Expressing Likes and Dislikes
Essential phrases for talking about your preferences.
Using Gustar:
- “Me gusta…” (I like…) – for singular
- “Me gustan…” (I like…) – for plural
- “Me encanta…” (I love…) – stronger
- “No me gusta…” (I don’t like…)
- “Me gusta mucho…” (I really like…)
- “Me gusta más…” (I prefer…)
❤️ Mastering GUSTAR? This special verb works differently! Learn how with our: Verb GUSTAR Complete Guide
Other Useful Phrases:
- “Mi pasatiempo favorito es…” (My favorite hobby is…)
- “En mi tiempo libre…” (In my free time…)
- “Me interesa…” (I’m interested in…)
- “Prefiero…” (I prefer…)
- “Disfruto…” (I enjoy…)
Frequency and Time Expressions
How often you do your hobbies.
| English | Spanish | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Always | siempre | Siempre leo antes de dormir. (I always read before sleeping.) |
| Often | a menudo | A menudo voy al cine. (I often go to the cinema.) |
| Sometimes | a veces | A veces juego al fútbol. (Sometimes I play soccer.) |
| Rarely | rara vez | Rara vez veo la televisión. (I rarely watch TV.) |
| Never | nunca | Nunca juego videojuegos. (I never play video games.) |
| Every day | todos los días | Practico inglés todos los días. (I practice English every day.) |
⏰ Need help with frequency words? Review our: Spanish Time Expressions A1 Guide
Making Plans and Invitations
Phrases for organizing activities with others.
Suggesting Activities:
- “¿Quieres…?” (Do you want to…?)
- “¿Te gustaría…?” (Would you like to…?)
- “¿Qué te parece si…?” (What do you think about…?)
- “Podríamos…” (We could…)
Accepting Invitations:
- “¡Sí, me encantaría!” (Yes, I’d love to!)
- “¡Claro que sí!” (Of course!)
- “¡Buena idea!” (Good idea!)
- “¿A qué hora?” (What time?)
Declining Invitations:
- “Lo siento, no puedo.” (Sorry, I can’t.)
- “Tengo otros planes.” (I have other plans.)
- “Quizás otro día.” (Maybe another day.)
- “Gracias, pero…” (Thanks, but…)
Putting It All Together: Hobbies Conversation
Ana: “Hola Carlos, ¿qué te gusta hacer en tu tiempo libre?”
Carlos: “Pues, me gusta mucho leer y escuchar música. También juego al fútbol los sábados. ¿Y tú?”
Ana: “A mí me encanta bailar salsa y cocinar. A veces saco fotos de la naturaleza.”
Carlos: “¡Qué interesante! ¿Quieres ir a bailar salsa este viernes? Conozco un lugar muy bueno.”
Ana: “¡Me encantaría! ¿A qué hora?”
Carlos: “A las nueve. Después podemos cenar en un restaurante cerca.”
Ana: “Perfecto. ¡Nos vemos el viernes!”
Translation:
Ana: “Hi Carlos, what do you like to do in your free time?”
Carlos: “Well, I really like reading and listening to music. I also play soccer on Saturdays. And you?”
Ana: “I love dancing salsa and cooking. Sometimes I take photos of nature.”
Carlos: “How interesting! Do you want to go salsa dancing this Friday? I know a very good place.”
Ana: “I’d love to! What time?”
Carlos: “At nine. Afterward we can have dinner at a restaurant nearby.”
Ana: “Perfect. See you Friday!”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Gustar conjugation: “Me gusta el fútbol” (singular) vs “Me gustan los deportes” (plural)
- Jugar vs Practicar: “Jugar al fútbol” but “practicar natación”
- Gender agreement: “el baloncesto” (masc) vs “la natación” (fem)
- Prepositions: “Jugar al fútbol” not “jugar fútbol”
- Time expressions: “Los fines de semana” not “en fines de semana”
Quick Reference Chart
| Category | Spanish Vocabulary |
|---|---|
| Popular Hobbies | leer, ver películas, escuchar música, viajar |
| Sports | fútbol, baloncesto, natación, correr, ciclismo |
| Creative Activities | pintar, dibujar, tocar instrumentos, bailar |
| Social Activities | salir con amigos, ir al cine, hacer fiestas |
| Expressing Likes | me gusta, me encanta, prefiero, disfruto |
Practice Exercise: Describe Your Hobbies
Try writing about your hobbies in Spanish:
- 2 hobbies you love
- 1 sport or physical activity
- 1 social activity you enjoy
- How often you do each one
Example: “Me encanta leer y escuchar música. Leo todos los días y escucho música a menudo. Practico natación dos veces por semana. Los fines de semana, salgo con amigos.”
💡 Grammar Tools
Practice conjugating any of the verbs from this lesson:
Spanish Verb Conjugation Tool
Ready to Practice?
Think you can talk about your interests in Spanish? Test your hobbies vocabulary!
Take our Hobbies & Free Time Quiz ► to make this vocabulary stick.
What’s Next in Your A1 Spanish Journey?
◄ Daily Routine Verbs | Weather & Seasons ►
