Spoken Arabic Course – Lesson 13: Hobbies in Arabic

Introduction: Why Learn to Talk About Hobbies in Arabic?

Imagine you’re meeting someone new who speaks Arabic. One of the first things they might ask is:

• شنو هوايتك؟ (shinu hiwāytik?) – What’s your hobby?

Talking about your hobbies in Arabic helps you connect with native speakers, express your interests, and make daily conversations feel more natural. Whether you’re a beginner learning how to say “I love painting” or an advanced learner describing your favorite weekend getaway, this lesson will guide you step-by-step.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn:

• Key vocabulary in Arabic, Roman Arabic, and English
• Beginner, intermediate, and advanced conversations with word-by-word breakdown
• Grammar tips on sentence structure
• Cultural insights on popular hobbies in the Gulf
• How to sound natural using Gulf dialect expressions
• Grammar explanations to boost fluency
• A quiz to test your understanding

Let’s start from the basics and gradually move to advanced fluency.

Section 1: Basic Vocabulary for Hobbies in Arabic (Beginner Level)

Here are the most common words to talk about hobbies:

These are the foundation. Let’s use them in simple conversations.

Grammar Insight: Verb Patterns for Talking About Hobbies

In Arabic, verbs often begin with “أ” for “I”.

Notes:

• Most verbs you use with hobbies follow the Form I (الفعل الثلاثي المجرد) pattern: simple three-letter roots.
• You can combine them with nouns to form hobby sentences. Example:
  • أحب ألعب شطرنج = I love playing chess.
  • أنا أطبخ كل ويكند = I cook every weekend.

Beginner Conversation: Talking About a Simple Hobby

Arabic Script:

سارة: شنو هوايتك؟
ليلى: أحب أقرأ كتب في وقت فراغي.

Roman Arabic:

Sarah: shinu hiwāytik?
Layla: aḥibb aqra‘ kutub fī waqt farāgī.

English:

Sarah: What’s your hobby?
Layla: I like reading books in my free time.

Word-by-Word Table:

Section 2: Intermediate-Level Vocabulary and Phrases

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, expand your vocabulary:

Grammar Insight: Using Present Tense for Hobbies in Arabic

Arabic present tense (المضارع) is used to describe habits and hobbies.

Structure:

• أنا + فعل مضارع (present verb)
• Example: أنا أطبخ = I cook

When using أحب (I like/love), the next verb stays in present tense:

• أحب أسبح = I like to swim

In Gulf Arabic, people may also say:

• أحب أطبخ بالأخص يوم الجمعة = I especially like cooking on Fridays

Intermediate Conversation: Weekend Hobbies in Arabic

Arabic Script:

ناصر: شتسوي في الويكند؟
راشد: أحب أطبخ وأتمشى مع ربعي.

Roman Arabic:

Nāṣir: sh-tsawwi fī al-weekend?
Rāshid: aḥibb aṭbukh wa atamasha ma‘ rab‘ī.

English:

Nasser: What do you do on weekends?
Rashid: I like cooking and going for walks with my friends.

Grammar Insight: Connectors and Conjunctions

Use connectors like:

• و (wa) = and
• أو (aw) = or
• لكن (lakin) = but

Examples:

• أحب أقرأ وأسمع موسيقى = I like reading and listening to music
• أحب ألعب كورة لكن أحيانًا أتمشى = I like playing football but sometimes I walk

Section 3: Advanced Expressions and Idioms

To sound more fluent, use idioms and complex expressions:

Culture Focus: Popular Hobbies in Gulf Countries

Gulf Arabs enjoy a blend of traditional and modern hobbies. Here are a few you can mention:

• التخييم (at-takhyīm) – Camping in the desert
• ركوب الخيل (rukūb al-khayl) – Horseback riding
• الصيد بالصقور (aṣ-ṣayd biṣ-ṣuqūr) – Falconry
• شرب القهوة العربية (shurb al-qahwa al-‘arabiyyah) – Brewing and drinking Arabic coffee
• السفر (as-safar) – Traveling

Advanced Conversation: Deep Dive Into Passion

Arabic Script:

فاطمة: شنو أكثر شي تحبه في التصوير؟
لولوة: أحس التصوير يخليني أشوف الجمال في الأشياء البسيطة.

Roman Arabic:

Fāṭimah: shinu akthar shay tiḥibbah fī at-taṣwīr?
Lulwa: aḥiss at-taṣwīr ykhallīnī ashūf al-jamāl fī al-ashyā’ al-basīṭah.

English:

Fatima: What do you love most about photography?
Lulwa: I feel like photography helps me see beauty in simple things.

Summary Table: Must-Know Phrases

Quiz: Test Your Knowledge on Hobbies in Arabic

Part 1: Vocabulary Matching

Match the Arabic to the English:

1. أقرأ a) To cook
2. أطبخ b) To swim
3. أسبح c) To read
4. أتمشى d) To walk

Part 2: Fill in the Blank

Complete the sentence using the correct word:

1. أنا أحب _____ كتب.
2. في وقت _____ أحب أطبخ.
3. _____ أسمع موسيقى الجاز.

Part 3: Translate to Arabic

1. I like painting.
2. My hobby is swimming.
3. I walk with my friends.

Part 4: Grammar Check

Correct the verb usage:

1. أنا يحب ألعب شطرنج.
2. هي أحب تسمع موسيقى.

(Comment the answer)

Conclusion: Start Sharing Your World in Arabic

Learning to talk about hobbies in Arabic lets you express your personality and make meaningful connections. Whether you’re just starting out or already speaking confidently, these words and expressions will add depth to your Arabic conversations.

Every hobby is a story. Start telling yours in Arabic — one word, one phrase, one conversation at a time.

Ready to Go Further?

🌐 Download our Arabic Spoken Course eBook to master real-life Arabic conversations.
👥 Join our Live Gulf Arabic Classes to speak fluently with expert tutors.
💬 Comment below your favorite hobby, and we’ll translate it into Arabic for you!