Japanese word

趣味

Pronunciation

Romajishumi

Meaning

  • nounhobby

Example

私の趣味は読書です。watashi no shu mi wa doku sho de su

My hobby is reading.

Illustration for 趣味 (hobby)

More examples

新しい趣味を始めたいです。atara shi i shu mi o haji me ta i de su

I want to start a new hobby.

Core concept

Centers on a personal activity chosen and continued for enjoyment in one's free time.

Common phrases

  • 趣味を聞くshu mi o ki ku

    ask about someone's hobby

  • 趣味について話すshu mi ni tsu i te hana su

    talk about a hobby

  • 趣味が合うshu mi ga a u

    share the same interests

Similar words

道楽dōraku: An activity pursued for pleasure, sometimes with a sense of personal indulgence.
娯楽goraku: An activity or form of entertainment enjoyed during free time.

Definition in Japanese

余暇に楽しみとして行う個人的な活動。yo ka ni tano shi mi to shi te okona u ko jin teki na katsu dō

Word origin

趣 (shu, "interest") + 味 (mi, "taste") forms a Sino-Japanese compound for a personal interest pursued for enjoyment.

Usage tips

  • The question 趣味は何ですか (shumi wa nan desu ka) is a common way to ask about someone's hobbies in a simple conversation.

Other meanings

  • pastimenoun

Word lists with this word