Describing hobbies
Décrire les passe-temps
- Talk about your hobbies
- Describe activities that you enjoy
- "Faire de", "Jouer à", "Jouer du" + definite article
This lesson introduces describing hobbies in French using expressions like "faire de", "jouer à", and "jouer du". Learn key vocabulary such as "la danse" (dance), "le piano" (piano), and useful verbs like "s'intéresser" (to be interested).
Listening & reading materials
Practice vocabulary in context with real materials.
Vocabulary (14) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Reorder sentences
Instruction: Make correct sentences and translate.
Exercise 2: Match a word
Instruction: Match the translations
Exercise 3: Cluster the words
Instruction: Match each word to the category that best describes your hobbies.
Activités artistiques
Expressions d'activités
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Photographier
To photograph
2
S'amuser
To have fun
3
Une activité
An activity
4
La lecture
Reading
5
Un loisir
A pastime
Exercice 5: Conversation exercise
Instruction:
- Describe the hobby in each picture. (Describe the hobby in each picture.)
- What is your favorite activity? (What is your favorite activity?)
- Ask the others about their hobbies? (Ask the others about their hobbies?)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
|
La femme chante. The woman sings. |
|
Ils sont actifs et font du sport. They are active and do sports. |
|
J'aime beaucoup écouter de la musique. I like to listen to music very much. |
|
Qu'est-ce que tu aimes faire ? What do you like to do? |
|
J'aime lire. I like to read. |
|
J'aime peindre. I like to paint. |
| ... |
Exercise 6: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 7: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Je ___ de la danse tous les samedis.
(I ___ dance every Saturday.)2. Tu ___ au tennis avec tes amis après le travail.
(You ___ play tennis with your friends after work.)3. Il ___ du piano depuis plusieurs années.
(He ___ been playing piano for several years.)4. Nous ___ les rues et les quartiers de la ville pendant notre temps libre.
(We ___ the streets and neighborhoods of the city during our free time.)Exercise 8: Describing the hobbies of a newcomer to Paris
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Découvrir - Discover
Présent
- je découvre
- tu découvres
- il/elle découvre
- nous découvrons
- vous découvrez
- ils/elles découvrent
Faire - Take
Présent
- je fais
- tu fais
- il/elle fait
- nous faisons
- vous faites
- ils/elles font
Jouer - Play
Présent
- je joue
- tu joues
- il/elle joue
- nous jouons
- vous jouez
- ils/elles jouent
S'intéresser - Be interested
Présent
- je m'intéresse
- tu t'intéresses
- il/elle s'intéresse
- nous nous intéressons
- vous vous intéressez
- ils/elles s'intéressent
Exercise 9: "Faire de", "Jouer à", "Jouer du" + article défini
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: "Faire de", "Jouer à", "Jouer du" + definite article
Show translation Show answersfaire de la, jouer du, faire du, jouer aux, jouer de la, jouer au
Grammar Share Copied!
It's not the most exciting thing, we admit, but it’s absolutely essential (and we promise it'll pay off)!
A1.41.2 Grammaire
"Faire de", "Jouer à", "Jouer du" + article défini
"Faire de", "Jouer à", "Jouer du" + definite article
Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Découvrir to discover Share Copied!
present
| French | English |
|---|---|
| (je/j') découvre | I discover |
| (tu) découvres | you discover |
| (il/elle/on) découvre | he/she/one discovers |
| (nous) découvrons | we discover |
| (vous) découvrez | You discover |
| (ils/elles) découvrent | they discover |
S'intéresser to be interested Share Copied!
present
| French | English |
|---|---|
| (je/j') m'intéresse | I am interested |
| (tu) t'intéresses | You are interested |
| (il/elle/on) s'intéresse | he/she/one is interested |
| nous intéressons | we are interested |
| vous intéressez | You are interested |
| (ils/elles) s'intéressent | they are interested |
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Describing Your Hobbies in French
This lesson focuses on expressing hobbies and leisure activities in French, perfect for beginner (A1) learners. It introduces common verbs and expressions used when talking about what you enjoy doing in your free time.
Key Verbs and Expressions
Understanding the verbs faire de (to do), jouer à (to play [a game or sport]), and jouer du (to play [a musical instrument]) is essential for discussing hobbies in French. For example:
- J'aime faire de la danse pendant mon temps libre. (I like to do dancing in my free time.)
- Tu joues au football le week-end ? (Do you play football on weekends?)
- Elle joue du piano dans un groupe. (She plays the piano in a band.)
Forming Sentences About Hobbies
French uses definite articles with these verbs when describing activities: de la, du, or au. Notice the construction varies depending on the activity or instrument:
- faire de + definite article + activity: faire de la danse (to do dancing)
- jouer à + definite article + sport/game: jouer au tennis (to play tennis)
- jouer de + definite article + instrument: jouer du piano (to play the piano)
Useful Vocabulary Groups
Activities you might enjoy include:
- la danse (dance), le dessin (drawing), la photo (photography)
- Expressions related to hobbies: faire de (to do), s'amuser (to have fun), s'intéresser (to be interested), un loisir (a leisure activity)
Practice Conversations
The lesson provides dialogues set in everyday situations like at the park, café, or gym. These help you practice discussing your favorite hobbies naturally with others.
Verb Conjugations
Basic present tense forms of verbs like faire, jouer, découvrir, and s'intéresser are given for you to practice, along with exercises to fill in gaps or choose correct verb forms.
Language Highlights and Differences
Unlike many English hobby descriptions, French requires the use of definite articles after faire de and jouer à/de. For example, you say Je joue du piano (literally “I play of the piano”), not just “I play piano.” This structure is important to learn and practice to speak naturally.
Some useful phrases include:
- J'aime faire de la danse. — I like to dance.
- Tu joues au tennis ? — Do you play tennis?
- Elle joue du violon. — She plays the violin.
Understanding these patterns will help you confidently talk about your hobbies and interests in French.
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