Describing hobbies

Describing Hobbies in Polish – A1 Level Lesson

This lesson introduces you to common ways of talking about hobbies and free-time activities in Polish. You'll learn how to express what you like to do, how to use the verb zajmować się (to engage in, to take care of), and form simple sentences about personal interests.

Key Vocabulary and Expressions

You will get familiar with useful verbs and nouns related to hobbies and daily activities such as:

• gotować – to cook
• czytać – to read
• oglądać telewizję – to watch TV
• malować – to paint
• biegać – to run
• jeździć na rowerze – to ride a bike
• pływać – to swim
• spacerować – to walk

Using the Verb "zajmować się"

Zajmować się is a very useful reflexive verb in Polish meaning "to be engaged in" or "to practice" an activity. It is commonly used to describe hobbies. For example:

• Lubię zajmować się ogrodem w weekendy. (I like to take care of the garden on weekends.)
• Moim hobby jest zajmowanie się fotografią. (My hobby is photography.)

This verb conjugates differently depending on the subject, for instance:

• Ja zajmuję się — I engage in
• Ty zajmujesz się — You engage in
• On/Ona zajmuje się — He/She engages in

Talking About Free Time and Preferences

You will practice questions and answers about what you like to do in your free time, such as:

• Czy lubisz zajmować się sportem na świeżym powietrzu? (Do you like to do sports outdoors?)
• W wolnym czasie lubię spotykać się z przyjaciółmi. (In free time, I like to meet friends.)

Activities Indoors vs Outdoors

The lesson highlights the difference between activities done at home and those performed outside. For example:

• At home: gotować, czytać, oglądać telewizję, malować
• Outdoors: biegać, jeździć na rowerze, pływać, spacerować

Sample Conversations

You will encounter dialogues to help practice speaking about hobbies naturally, such as talking about reading books, playing sports, or other typical interests.

Differences Between English and Polish in Describing Hobbies

In Polish, the reflexive verb zajmować się is used frequently to express the idea of "doing" or "being involved with" an activity. This concept does not have a direct single-verb equivalent in English and usually translates as "to be engaged in" or "to take care of." Also, the structure for hobbies often differs; for example, you say Moim hobby jest zajmowanie się fotografią (literally "My hobby is taking care of photography").

Useful phrases:

• Lubię + verb in infinitive – I like to [do something]. Example: Lubię czytać (I like to read).
• Czy lubisz + verb? – Do you like to [do something]? Example: Czy lubisz biegać? (Do you like running?).

Summary

This lesson provides foundational vocabulary and grammar to confidently talk about your hobbies and leisure activities in Polish. Mastering reflexive verbs like zajmować się, practicing common verbs related to daily hobbies, and understanding the indoor/outdoor activity distinction will help you express your interests clearly. Use the sample phrases, dialogues, and categorized words here as a solid base for describing your free-time pursuits.