趣味(しゅみ)

趣味(しゅみ) refers to hobbies or personal interests pursued for enjoyment.

COMMON PATTERNS:

• 趣味(しゅみ)は何(なん)ですか: What are your hobbies?
• 私(わたし)の趣味(しゅみ)は〜です: My hobby is ~
• 趣味(しゅみ)で〜する: to do ~ as a hobby
• 趣味(しゅみ)が合(あ)う: to share the same hobbies

POPULAR HOBBIES:

• 読書(どくしょ): reading
• 映画鑑賞(えいがかんしょう): watching movies
• 旅行(りょこう): travel
• 料理(りょうり): cooking
• 音楽鑑賞(おんがくかんしょう): listening to music

USAGE NOTE:
趣味(しゅみ) is a standard topic in Japanese self-introductions (自己紹介(じこしょうかい)). When asked, it's common to answer with a noun: 「趣味(しゅみ)は読書(どくしょ)です」rather than using a verb.

SECOND MEANING:
趣味(しゅみ) can also mean 'taste' as in aesthetic preference: 趣味(しゅみ)がいい (has good taste), 趣味(しゅみ)が悪(わる)い (has bad taste).