German Phrase
Was machst du gern?
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to ask someone about their hobbies or interests. It literally translates to 'What do you do gladly?' and is essential for getting to know someone in a casual or semi-formal setting.
When to use
Use this when meeting someone new or catching up with a friend to spark a conversation about leisure activities. It is perfect for icebreakers in social gatherings or language exchanges.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Wasmachstdugern
Was
The interrogative pronoun for 'what', used to initiate open-ended questions.
machst
The second-person singular form of 'machen' (to do/make), conjugated to match the subject 'du'.
gern
An adverb meaning 'gladly'. In German, you express liking an action by adding 'gern' after the verb rather than using a separate verb like 'to like'.
🗨In Conversation
Was machst du gern?
What do you like to do?
Ich spiele gern Fußball und lese viel.
I like playing soccer and I read a lot.
✕Common Mistakes
Was du machst gern?
In German questions, the conjugated verb must occupy the second position.
Was magst du machen?
While 'mögen' means to like, Germans almost exclusively use the adverb 'gern' with a verb to express enjoying an activity.
↔Alternatives
Was sind deine Hobbys?
What are your hobbies?
Was treibst du so in deiner Freizeit?
What do you get up to in your free time?
Cultural Tip
In German-speaking cultures, leisure time is highly valued. Asking about hobbies is often a better conversation starter than asking about someone's job, as people take great pride in their 'Feierabend' (time after work) activities like hiking, club memberships, or sports.