German Phrase
Hast du Hobbys?
Meaning
Literally ‘Do you have hobbies?’, this question is used to ask someone what activities they enjoy in their free time. It’s a friendly, informal way to start a conversation about personal interests.
When to use
Use it in informal settings with friends, classmates, or colleagues you address with ‘du’. It works well as an ice‑breaker or when you want to learn more about someone’s leisure activities.
✦Grammar Breakdown
HastduHobbys?
Verb‑2nd Person Singular
‘Hast’ is the 2nd‑person singular present of ‘haben’ (to have). In yes‑no questions the verb moves to the first position.
Personal Pronoun ‘du’
‘du’ is the informal singular ‘you’. It follows the verb directly in a question.
Plural Noun ‘Hobbys’
‘Hobby’ (singular) becomes ‘Hobbys’ in the plural; the –s is retained and a final –s is added to the noun.
Question Mark
In German the question mark is placed after the entire clause, not after the verb.
🗨In Conversation
Hast du Hobbys?
Do you have any hobbies?
Ja, ich spiele Fußball und lese gern Krimis.
Yes, I play soccer and I like reading crime novels.
✕Common Mistakes
Hast du Hobby?
‘Hobby’ is singular; the question asks about any number of hobbies, so use the plural ‘Hobbys’.
Du hast Hobbys?
In a yes‑no question the verb must be first; ‘Du hast…?’ is a statement, not a question.
Hast du das Hobbys?
The noun ‘Hobbys’ does not need an article in this construction; the article would be incorrect.
↔Alternatives
Welche Hobbys hast du?
Which hobbies do you have?
Was machst du gern in deiner Freizeit?
What do you like to do in your free time?
Hast du irgendwelche Hobbys?
Do you have any hobbies at all?
Cultural Tip
In Germany, talking about ‘Freizeit’ (free time) and hobbies is a common way to build rapport. Keep the conversation informal with ‘du’, but switch to the formal ‘Sie’ if you’re speaking with strangers, older people, or in a professional context. Also, Germans often mention specific clubs or sports (e.g., ‘Verein’, ‘Fußballverein’) when describing their hobbies.