German Phrase
Was sind deine Hobbys?
Meaning
This is a direct question used to inquire about a person's leisure activities and interests. It uses the plural form 'Hobbys', which is an English loanword that has been fully adopted into the German language.
When to use
Use this phrase in casual social situations when getting to know someone new. It is a standard icebreaker for making friends or during language exchange meetups.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WassinddeineHobbys?
Was (What)
The interrogative pronoun used to ask for information about something.
Sind (Are)
The third-person plural conjugation of 'sein' (to be).
Deine (Your)
The informal possessive pronoun for 'du', with an -e ending because 'Hobbys' is plural.
🗨In Conversation
Was sind deine Hobbys?
What are your hobbies?
Ich spiele gerne Fußball und wandere oft.
I like playing soccer and I hike often.
✕Common Mistakes
Was ist deine Hobbys?
The verb must be plural ('sind') to match the plural noun 'Hobbys'.
Was sind dein Hobbys?
The possessive pronoun 'dein' needs the '-e' ending to agree with a plural noun.
↔Alternatives
Was machst du gerne in deiner Freizeit?
What do you like to do in your free time?
Hast du irgendwelche Hobbys?
Do you have any hobbies?
Cultural Tip
In Germany, people often take their hobbies quite seriously, frequently joining 'Vereine' (clubs or associations) for everything from sports to gardening. When answering, it is common to be specific about your activities rather than giving a vague answer.