French word

passe-temps

Pronunciation

IPA/pastɑ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounhobby

Example

Mon passe-temps préféré est la lecture.

My favorite hobby is reading.

Illustration for passe-temps (hobby)

More examples

Elle a plusieurs passe-temps, comme le jardinage et la peinture.

She has several hobbies, such as gardening and painting.

Core concept

A chosen activity that fills free time with pleasure rather than duty.

Common phrases

  • avoir un passe-temps

    have a hobby

  • un passe-temps préféré

    a favorite hobby

  • plusieurs passe-temps

    several hobbies

Similar words

loisir: An activity enjoyed during free time.
hobby: A personal activity pursued regularly for enjoyment.
passion: An activity or subject pursued with strong interest and enthusiasm.

Definition in French

Occupation ou activité non professionnelle exercée pendant le temps libre en vue de procurer du plaisir.

Word origin

Passe-temps is a compound of passer, "to pass," and temps, "time," and its literal sense developed into the modern sense of a pastime.

Usage tips

  • Passe-temps is masculine, so the usual form is un passe-temps, and its meaning covers leisure activities more broadly than the English word hobby.

Other meanings

  • pastimenoun
  • entertainmentnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word