Italian Phrase
Che hobby hai?
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to ask someone about their personal interests or pastimes in Italian. It uses the interrogative adjective 'che' followed by the English loanword 'hobby' and the verb 'avere' (to have).
When to use
Use this phrase in casual social settings when getting to know someone new. It is perfect for icebreakers at parties, language exchanges, or first dates.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Chehobbyhai
Che
Used here as an interrogative adjective meaning 'what' or 'which' to modify the noun 'hobby'.
Hai
The second-person singular form of the verb 'avere' (to have) in the present tense.
🗨In Conversation
Che hobby hai?
What hobbies do you have?
Mi piace molto cucinare e andare in bici.
I really like cooking and cycling.
✕Common Mistakes
Cosa hobby hai?
Use 'che' or 'quali' before a noun; 'cosa' is used alone as 'what'.
Che hobby fai?
In Italian, you 'have' (avere) hobbies rather than 'do' (fare) them.
↔Alternatives
Cosa fai nel tuo tempo libero?
What do you do in your free time?
Quali sono i tuoi interessi?
What are your interests?
Cultural Tip
While 'hobby' is a common loanword in Italy, it is often treated as invariable, meaning the spelling doesn't change in the plural. When answering, Italians might focus on social activities like 'uscire con gli amici' rather than just solitary tasks.