Bite 16: Talk About Your Hobbies in German!
German in 100 bites by Dr. Mitar Pitzek
Bite 16:
Talk About Your Hobbies in German!
(A1 Level)
Before We Dive In
Friederike Mayröcker, one of Austria’s most influential writers, once said:
„Kein Leben, keine Liebe ohne Literatur.“
(No life, no love without literature.)
Whether it’s writing, painting, or playing an instrument – hobbies give us a voice. They connect us to others and help us express who we are, show what we like to do, what we love. And what better way to connect than by talking about what you love doing – in German?
In this Bite, we’ll learn how to share what we enjoy doing in our free time – from grammar basics to useful vocabulary and typical Austrian pastimes.
1. How to Say What You Like Doing
To talk about hobbies in German, two common sentence structures are especially helpful:
- Ich mag… (I like...)
- Ich mag Musik. (I like music.)
- Ich mag keine Computerspiele. (I don’t like computer games.)
- Ich … gerne (I like doing…)
- Ich lese gerne. (I like reading.)
- Ich schwimme gerne. (I like swimming.)
Remember:
- Use “Ich mag” + noun: Ich mag Fußball.
- Use “Ich … gerne” + verb: Ich spiele gerne Fußball.
Useful Phrases
Here are a few basic phrases to get started:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich habe viele Hobbys. | I have many hobbies. |
| In meiner Freizeit… | In my free time… |
| Ich mag… | I like… |
| Ich interessiere mich für… | I’m interested in… |
| Mein Lieblingshobby ist… | My favourite hobby is… |
| Was machst du gern in deiner Freizeit? | What do you like doing in your free time? |
2. Popular Hobbies – Vocab You’ll Use Right Away
Here are some everyday hobbies with the German verbs you’ll need:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| lesen | to read |
| schwimmen | to swim |
| tanzen | to dance |
| kochen | to cook |
| reisen | to travel |
| fotografieren | to take photos |
| wandern | to hike |
| singen | to sing |
| zeichnen | to draw |
| Musik hören | to listen to music |
| fernsehen | to watch TV |
| spazieren gehen | to go for a walk |
3. Comparing What You Like
You can also say how much you like something using:
- gern – I like
- lieber – I prefer
- am liebsten – I like most
Examples:
- Ich koche gern. (I like cooking.)
- Ich tanze lieber. (I prefer dancing.)
- Am liebsten lese ich Bücher. (I like reading books the most.)
4. Practice Time – Was sind deine Hobbys?
Try answering these questions in German:
- Was machst du gern in deiner Freizeit? (What do you like to do in your free time?)
- Was ist dein Lieblingshobby? (What is your favourite hobby?)
- Spielst du ein Instrument? (Do you play an instrument?)
You can also write a short text about your hobbies – just a few sentences will help you remember the new vocabulary.
5. Talking About Frequency
Want to say how often you do something? These expressions are your new best friends:
- immer – always
- oft – often
- manchmal – sometimes
- selten – rarely
- nie – never
Example:
- Ich gehe oft spazieren. (I often go for walks.)
- Ich tanze nie. (I never dance.)
6. Vienna Tip: Hobby Ideas in the City
Vienna is full of inspiration for your free time! Whether you’re visiting or living here, here are a few ideas:
- Take a music class or visit a classical concert.
- Try a baking workshop and learn how to make Sachertorte.
- Visit a museum and practice describing art in German.
- Cycle or take a walk along the Donauinsel.
You can use your hobbies to connect with locals – and language learners!
Summary
Being able to talk about your hobbies is a great way to make conversations more personal and fun.
- Use “Ich mag” with nouns and “Ich … gerne” with verbs.
- Learn common hobby verbs and frequency adverbs.
- Use Vienna’s cultural life as inspiration for real-life practice!
Pro Tip from Dr. Mitar Pitzek
“The word gern can be tricky for learners. Just remember: it doesn’t mean ‘like’ as a standalone word – it only makes the verb more positive. Ich lese (I read) becomes Ich lese gern (I like reading). If you forget gern, your sentence still makes sense – but it might not show your enthusiasm!”
„Don’t forget word order!“
When using “gerne” in a sentence, it usually comes after the verb:
- Ich spiele gerne Tennis. (I like playing tennis.) Not: Ich gerne spiele Tennis.
And if you start your sentence with a time expression like “Am Wochenende” (on the weekend), remember the verb comes second:
- Am Wochenende spiele ich gerne Gitarre.
German language courses in Vienna
intensive courses
Reach your goals as quickly and efficiently as possible.
company courses
Tailor-made courses for your company
personal training
Private, flexible, and all about you.
university preparation
You need German for university – we’re here to help.
evening courses
Fit your learning around your schedule.
ÖSD exam
Take Austria’s German language exam here at INNES.