Discussing hobbies and leisure activities is an essential part of conversing in any language. Whether you’re meeting new friends or just trying to fill your time abroad, knowing how to talk about your interests in French will definitely come in handy. This article will provide you with key vocabulary to share your favorite pastimes in French.

Loisir
A general term for leisure activity or hobby.
Le week-end, j’aime bien avoir du temps pour mes loisirs.

Passe-temps
Also means hobby, somewhat synonymous with ‘loisir’. It emphasizes on an activity performed during one’s free time.
La lecture est mon passe-temps favori.

Hobby
This is a borrowed word from English, sometimes used in informal French conversations.
Le scrapbooking est mon nouveau hobby.

Bricolage
Refers to DIY activities or handy work, such as repairs or crafting.
Ce samedi, je vais faire du bricolage dans mon garage.

Jardinage
The activity of tending and cultivating a garden.
Le jardinage me détend beaucoup.

Peinture
Painting; the action or skill of using paint, either in a picture or as decoration.
La peinture me permet d’exprimer ma créativité.

Photographie
The art or practice of taking and processing photographs
Je me passionne pour la photographie, surtout pendant mes voyages.

Lecture
The act of reading books or literature.
J’ai toujours un livre avec moi pour occuper mes moments de lecture.

Cinéma
Relates to the activity of watching movies or discussing them.
On va au cinéma ce soir pour voir le dernier film de science-fiction.

Musique
Involves listening to music, playing an instrument, or attending concerts.
La musique est une partie importante de ma vie quotidienne.

Théâtre
The activity of attending plays, acting, or the study of drama.
Je prends des cours de théâtre tous les jeudis.

Tricot
The action or skill of knitting.
Ma grand-mère m’a appris le tricot quand j’étais petit.

Sport
Physical activities and games; often involves competition or physical exertion.
Le sport que je pratique le plus est la natation.

Voyage
Traveling as a leisure activity.
Mon hobby préféré est le voyage, je veux voir le monde.

Cuisine
The practice or skill of preparing and cooking food.
La cuisine est pour moi une façon de me détendre.

Randonnée
The activity of going on long walks, typically in the countryside.
Nous faisons souvent de la randonnée en famille le dimanche.

Vélo
The activity of riding a bicycle.
Je fais du vélo tous les matins pour me rendre au travail.

Remember that while sharing about your hobbies and activities, it’s beneficial to integrate these vocabulary words into full sentences. This not only helps you practice your French but also makes the conversation more engaging for your listener. Keep this handy list as you continue to enhance your French language skills and broaden your conversational topics!