Basic Words and Phrases in French: Free time, hobbies and interests 🎨⚽🎶

Talking about your hobbies is a great way to connect with people in French.

Whether you like sports, music, or reading, knowing the right words will help you express yourself in everyday conversations.

This guide gives you the most useful basic French words and phrases about hobbies and interests, with English translations and examples.

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🎭 General Vocabulary (Les passe-temps)

• Un passe-temps – a hobby

• Un loisir – a leisure activity

• Un intérêt – an interest

• Aimer – to like / love

• Adorer – to love / adore

• Préférer – to prefer

👉 Example: Mon passe-temps préféré est la lecture.
(My favorite hobby is reading.)

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📚 Reading & Arts

• Lire – to read

• Un livre – book

• Un roman – novel

• Un magazine – magazine

• Écrire – to write

• Dessiner – to draw

• Peindre – to paint

• La photographie – photography

👉 Example: J’aime dessiner et peindre pendant mon temps libre.
(I like drawing and painting in my free time.)

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🎶 Music & Performing Arts

• Écouter de la musique – to listen to music

• Chanter – to sing

• Jouer de la guitare – to play the guitar

• Jouer du piano – to play the piano

• Danser – to dance

• Aller au concert – to go to a concert

• Le théâtre – theater

👉 Example: Elle adore chanter et danser avec ses amis.
(She loves singing and dancing with her friends.)

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⚽ Sports & Physical Activities

• Le sport – sport

• Faire du sport – to play/do sports

• Courir – to run

• Nager – to swim

• Jouer au football – to play soccer

• Jouer au tennis – to play tennis

• Jouer au basket – to play basketball

• Faire du vélo – to ride a bike

• Faire de la randonnée – to go hiking

👉 Example: Il aime jouer au tennis le week-end.
(He likes playing tennis on weekends.)

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🎮 Modern Hobbies

• Jouer aux jeux vidéo – to play video games

• Surfer sur Internet – to surf the internet

• Regarder des films – to watch movies

• Regarder des séries – to watch TV shows

• Faire du shopping – to go shopping

👉 Example: Mes amis et moi aimons regarder des films ensemble.
(My friends and I like to watch movies together.)

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💬 Useful Phrases

• Quels sont tes passe-temps ? – What are your hobbies?

• J’aime écouter de la musique. – I like listening to music.

• Mon hobby préféré est le football. – My favorite hobby is soccer.

• Je préfère lire que regarder la télévision. – I prefer reading to watching TV.

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🎯 Practice Activity

👉 Write 3 sentences about your hobbies in French. For example:

• J’aime faire du vélo.

• Mon hobby préféré est la lecture.

• J’adore chanter et danser.

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✅ Conclusion

These basic French words and phrases for hobbies and interests will help you share what you like to do and start fun conversations. From écouter de la musique to jouer au foot, these words are practical and easy for beginners.