French Phrase
T'as des hobbies ?
Meaning
This is a very common and informal way to ask someone if they have any hobbies or leisure activities. It's a contraction of "Tu as des hobbies ?" where "Tu as" becomes "T'as" in spoken French. It's a direct and friendly question often used to get to know someone better.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal settings, such as with friends, family, or new acquaintances you're trying to get to know better. It's perfect for casual conversations, like at a party, during a coffee break, or when meeting someone for the first time in a relaxed environment.
✦Grammar Breakdown
T'asdeshobbies
T' (Tu)
This is the informal second-person singular pronoun 'tu' (you), contracted with the following verb 'as'. This contraction is extremely common in spoken French, especially in informal contexts.
as (avoir)
'as' is the conjugation of the verb 'avoir' (to have) for 'tu'. So, 'T'as' literally means 'You have'. It's used here to form a question about possession or existence of hobbies.
des
'des' is the indefinite article, meaning 'some' or 'any'. It's used here before a plural noun ('hobbies') to ask about the existence of such items in general.
hobbies
This is an English loanword that is widely used in French to mean 'hobbies' or 'pastimes'. While 'loisirs' is the native French equivalent, 'hobbies' is very common in modern, informal speech.
🗨In Conversation
Salut, ça va ? T'as des hobbies ?
Hi, how are you? Do you have hobbies?
Oui, j'adore la lecture et la randonnée. Et toi ?
Yes, I love reading and hiking. And you?
✕Common Mistakes
Tu as des hobbies ?
While grammatically correct, "Tu as" is less common in spoken, informal French. The contraction "T'as" is much more natural and frequently used in casual conversation.
Est-ce que tu as des hobbies ?
Adding "Est-ce que" makes the question more formal. While not incorrect, it sounds less natural and a bit stiff for a casual inquiry about hobbies.
T'as des passe-temps ?
While "passe-temps" is a valid French word for hobby, "hobbies" (an anglicism) is very widely understood and used in modern French, especially among younger generations. Using "hobbies" here is perfectly natural.
↔Alternatives
Tu as des loisirs ?
Do you have leisure activities?
Qu'est-ce que tu fais comme loisirs ?
What do you do for leisure activities?
Qu'est-ce que tu aimes faire pendant ton temps libre ?
What do you like to do in your free time?
Cultural Tip
In France, while "loisirs" is the traditional word for leisure activities, the English loanword "hobbies" has become very common, especially among younger generations and in urban areas. Using "T'as des hobbies ?" is a sign of familiarity and informality. French people appreciate directness in informal conversation, and this phrase fits that style perfectly.