Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Hobby in Spanish
Pasatiempo · noun · pah-sah-TYEM-poh
The Spanish word for hobby is 'pasatiempo,' a masculine noun that literally combines 'pasar' (to pass) and 'tiempo' (time). It refers to any leisure activity you do for enjoyment outside of work. While the English loanword 'hobby' is also understood in many Spanish-speaking countries, 'pasatiempo' remains the standard term in formal writing and everyday conversation.
Pasatiempo is pronounced pah-sah-TYEM-poh. The stress falls on the penultimate syllable 'tiem.' The word flows smoothly as four syllables with no silent letters.
Mi pasatiempo favorito es pintar paisajes al óleo.
My favorite hobby is painting landscapes in oil.
Hobby in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for hobby, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| pasatiempo | hobby | pah-sah-TYEM-poh | Default, widely understood |
| hobby | hobby | widely borrowed from English in casual speech | |
| afición | hobby | emphasizes passion or keen interest |
How Native Speakers Use Pasatiempo
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Asking about hobbies
¿Cuáles son tus pasatiempos?
What are your hobbies?
A common question when getting to know someone.
Describing a hobby
La jardinería es un pasatiempo muy relajante.
Gardening is a very relaxing hobby.
Talking about the benefits of a particular pastime.
Picking up a new hobby
Quiero encontrar un nuevo pasatiempo para los fines de semana.
I want to find a new hobby for the weekends.
Expressing the desire to start a leisure activity.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Pasatiempo
Using the wrong gender
Incorrect: La pasatiempo de María es la lectura.
Correct: El pasatiempo de María es la lectura.
Pasatiempo is a masculine noun, so it takes the article 'el,' not 'la.'
Confusing pasatiempo with trabajo
Incorrect: Mi pasatiempo es ser ingeniero.
Correct: Mi trabajo es ser ingeniero.
A pasatiempo is a leisure activity done for fun, not a profession or job.
Lock in Hobby Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Pasatiempo used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using pasatiempo in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Mi pasatiempo favorito es pintar paisajes al óleo. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Hobby in Spanish
- Is it okay to use 'hobby' in Spanish?
- The English loanword 'hobby' is widely understood in informal conversation across Latin America and Spain, though 'pasatiempo' is preferred in formal writing and academic contexts.
- What is the difference between pasatiempo and afición?
- An afición implies a stronger passion or dedicated interest, while a pasatiempo is any casual activity you do to pass the time — though the two terms overlap in everyday speech.
- What is the plural of pasatiempo?
- The plural form is 'pasatiempos,' formed by simply adding an 's' to the end of the word, following standard Spanish pluralization rules.