Talking about things that you like to do can be fun. This makes learning about hobbies in Korean helpful when talking to a new Korean friend. Hobbies can be one big topic to cover, so you won’t run out of things to talk about!

If you’re new to learning the Korean language, start by covering the Korean alphabet. That way, learning hobbies in Korean will be far easier!

Hobbies in Korean

The word hobby is translated as 취미 (chwimi) in Korean. This is the first word you need to know before we dive into learning words for specific hobbies.

In this lesson, you will be learning the most common hobbies in Korean. In addition, we’ll teach you some simple Korean phrases too.

What are Korean hobbies?

Koreans are fond of doing different things as a hobby. They enjoy outdoor activities like playing sports, hanging out at coffee shops, or shopping. However, indoor activities like watching Korean dramas or movies, texting their friends, and eating good food are highly enjoyed by many too! These interests are just a few, and there are plenty more things that are fun to do for Koreans, and we’ve enumerated them below.

List of hobbies in Korean

People may have different interests and things they find enjoyable. This way, it’s also fun to meet new friends we share similar hobbies with. Check out the words below and see if one or some of these are hobbies. Now, let’s get to learning!

 

Common words on hobbies

Here is some common vocabulary on typical Korean hobbies. These hobbies are usually part of one’s routine and are usually a means of relaxation for some. Language learning like what you’re doing now falls under this category too!

English	Korean
hobby	취미 (chwimi)
reading	독서 (dokseo)
cooking	요리 (yori)
watching movies	영화보기 (yeonghwabogi)
watching TV	티비보기 (tibibogi)
watching dramas	드라마보기 (deuramabogi)
surfing Internet	인터넷하기 (inteonethagi)
learning	배우기 (baeugi)
language learning	언어 베우기 (eoneo beugi)
blogging	블로깅 (beulloging)
spending time with friends	친구하고 시간을 보내기 (chinguhago siganeul bonaegi)

Hobbies related to music

You might be part of a band, playing one or more instruments, or you just love music. If so, you might find your hobby below. These hobbies often involve the use of a musical instrument or simply your voice.

English	Korean
listening to music	음악듣기 (eumakdeutgi)
singing	노래하기 (noraehagi)
piano	피아노 (piano)
guitar	기타 (gita)
drums	드럼 (deureom)
violin	바이올린 (baiollin)
trumpet	트럼펫 (teureompet)
saxophone	색소폰 (saeksopon)

Hobbies related to art

Art covers different kinds of hobbies, from photography to pottery. Hobbies related to arts are often an expression of one’s emotions and talents too. Apart from the process, one of the best things about these hobbies is the handiwork that you get to use or keep!

English	Korean
drawing, painting	그림 (geurim)
pottery	도예 (doye)
calligraphy	서예 (seoye)
papercrafts	지공예 (jigongye)
embroidery	자수 (jasu)
woodwork	목공 (mokgong)
sewing	바느질 (baneujil)
knitting, crochet	뜨개질 (tteugaejil)
photography	사진 찍기 (sajin jjikgi)
model building	모형 만들기 (mohyeong mandeulgi)
jewelry making	귀금석 제조 (gwigeumseok jejo)
collecting stamps	우표 수집 (upyo sujip)

 

Hobbies related to sports and activities

Sports and other activities are usual hobbies that people enjoy. These can either be done outdoors or indoors.

English	Korean
chess	체스 (cheseu)
games	게임 (geim)
video games	비디오게임 (bidiogeim)
board games	보드게임 (bodeugeim)
walking	산책 (sanchaek)
jogging	조깅 (joging)
running	달리기 (dalligi)
cycling	자전거타기 (jajeongeotagi)
fishing	낚시 (naksi)
hiking	등산 (deungsan)
camping	캠핑 (kaemping)
traveling	여행 (yeohaeng)
birding	조류 관찰 (joryu gwanchal)
volunteering	자원봉사 (jawonbongsa)
swimming	수영 (suyeong)
dancing	춤 (chum)
taekwondo	태권도 (taegwondo)
soccer, football	축구 (chukgu)
basketball	농구 (nonggu)
volleyball	배구 (baegu)
baseball	야구 (yagu)
table tennis	탁구 (takgu)
golf	골프 (golpeu)
tennis	테니스 (teniseu)
badminton	배드민턴 (baedeuminteon)
exercising	운동하기 (undonghagi)
watching sports	스포츠보기 (seupocheubogi)
archery	양궁 (yanggung)
billiard	당구 (danggu)
horseback riding	승마 (seungma)
ice skating	스케이트 (seukeiteu)
skiing	스키 (seuki)
snowboarding	스노보드 타기 (seunobodeu tagi)
surfing	서핑 (seoping)
scuba diving	스쿠버 다이빙 (seukubeo daibing)
skateboarding	스케이트보드 타기 (seukeiteubodeu tagi)
yoga	요가 (yoga)
pilates	필라테즈 (pillatejeu)

Verbs to use when talking about hobbies in Korean

Hobbies are associated with actions, whether they are passive or active. Below, we have also listed some common action words often used when talking about a hobby.

English	Korean
to draw, to paint	그리다 (geurida)
to listen	듣다 (deutda)
to watch	보다 (boda)
to like	좋아하다 (joahada)
to dislike	싫어하다 (sileohada)
to do	하다 (hada)
to make	만들다 (mandeulda)
to read	읽다 (ilda)
to play; to hit, to strike	치다 (chida)
to ride, to take, to get on	타다 (tada)
to play an instrument	악기를 연주하다 (akgireul yeonjuhada)

 

Useful phrases about hobbies in Korean

Hobbies are a common conversation topic when meeting someone for the first time or getting to know someone. If you’re planning to meet Korean friends soon, it’s useful to have questions and phrases about hobbies in Korean on hand.

Here are some questions and phrases in Korean that you can use during a conversation you’ll have about your hobby.

How to ask about hobbies in Korean?

Here are some questions about hobbies that you might encounter or you can ask your Korean friend:

English	Korean
What is your hobby? / What are your hobbies?	취미가 뭐예요? (chwimiga mwoyeyo?)
What do you like to do?	뭘 하는 걸 좋아해요? (mwol haneun geol joahaeyo?)
Do you like cooking?	요리하는 걸 좋아해요? (yorihaneun geol joahaeyo?)
What do you like to do for fun?	재미로 뭘 하는 걸 좋아해요? (jaemiro mwol haneun geol joahaeyo?)
What do you do in your free time?	시간 남을 때 뭐해요? (sigan nameul ttae mwohaeyo?)
What do you like to do in your free time?	자유시간 있을 때 뭐하는 걸 좋아해요? (jayusigan isseul ttae mwohaneun geol joahaeyo?)
Can you play any musical instrument?	악기를 연주할 수 있어요? (akgireul yeonjuhal su isseoyo?)
Can you do any sports?	스포츠를 할 수 있어요? (seupocheureul hal su isseoyo?)

How to talk about hobbies in Korean?

To answer the questions above, you can practice on these phrases:

English	Korean
My hobbies are...	제 취미는 X예요/이에요. (je chwimineun Xyeyo/ieyo.)
My hobby is traveling.	제 취미는 예행이에요. (je chwimineun yehaengieyo.)
I like...	X 좋아해요. (X joahaeyo.)
I like watching movies.	영화보기 좋아해요. (yeonghwabogi joahaeyo.)
I like to sing.	저는 노래하는 걸 좋아해요. (jeoneun noraehaneun geol joahaeyo.)
I like to do X for fun.	재미로 X하는 걸 좋아해요. (jaemiro Xhaneun geol joahaeyo.)
I like taking photos for fun.	재미로 사진 찍는 걸 좋아해요. (jaemiro sajin jjingneun geol joahaeyo.)
I like to read books in my free time.	자유시간 있을 때 책을 읽는 걸 좋아해요. (jayusigan isseul ttae chaegeul ingneun geol joahaeyo.)
I play the piano every day.	저는 매일 피아노를 쳐요. (jeoneun maeil pianoreul chyeoyo.)
I cannot do X well.	저는 X를 잘 못해요. (jeoneun Xreul jal mothaeyo.)
I can't play football well.	저는 축구치기를 잘 못해요. (jeoneun chukguchigireul jal mothaeyo.)
I don't like swimming.	저는 수영하기를 싫어해요. (jeoneun suyeonghagireul sileohaeyo.)

Wow! There are so many things you might love doing and many different but simple ways to describe them. Now that you know how to talk about your hobby in Korean, you have yet another topic you can talk with your Korean friends about. And why not practice already below in the comment section by telling us about your favorite hobby? Don’t forget to check our blog for more fun topics in learning Korean!

The post Hobbies in Korean – Vocabulary for your favorite activities appeared first on 90 Day Korean®.