New here? This is lesson 71 of a free 240-lesson Simplified Chinese course.
Free time in Simplified Chinese
Sunday is coming, and Yi-Jun wants to know how you spend your free time. You can talk about favorite activities, interests, and what helps you relax.
Learn two natural ways to ask about hobbies, then describe something you enjoy. Practice inviting a friend along, too.
At Banyan Breakfast, A-Li says he likes walking. Everyone turns to look, while his breakfast drink remains unfinished at the shop.
By the end of this lesson
Ask what someone does for fun, describe your interests, and invite someone to join you.
- 我空闲的时候喜欢看电影I like watching movies in my free time.
- 你平常有什么兴趣？What are your hobbies?
- 你平常休闲都做什么？What do you usually do for fun?
- 我对摄影有兴趣I'm interested in photography.
- 你要不要跟我一起去？Do you want to come with me?
- 这可以让我放松This lets me relax.
Scene — a Sunday plan
On Saturday, Maya meets Yi-Jun at Banyan Breakfast in Da'an. They talk about hobbies and make a plan to go out together on Sunday.
At the back table, A-Li sits on two stools with his soy milk still unfinished. When he says he walks, everyone looks at him.
Learn — hobbies and interests
These six lines help you ask about leisure activities, name an interest, share a pastime, and invite someone to join you. Listen, then repeat each chunk.
我空闲的时候喜欢看电影
I like watching movies in my free time.
When to use it: Use this to tell someone what you enjoy doing in your free time.
的时候 places a time or activity before the action you like.
Say it: 影 in 电影 has a third tone.
你平常有什么兴趣？
What are your hobbies?
When to use it: Ask someone what interests or hobbies they have.
什么 asks for the thing or activity you want to know.
Say it: 兴 in 兴趣 has a falling fourth tone.
你平常休闲都做什么？
What do you usually do for fun?
When to use it: Ask what someone usually does for fun or relaxation.
都 makes this question sound like a question about someone's usual routine.
Say it: 么 in 什么 is usually light and quick.
我对摄影有兴趣
I'm interested in photography.
When to use it: Use this to name something you are interested in.
对 plus an interest names something you feel interested in.
Say it: 影 in 摄影 has a third tone.
你要不要跟我一起去？
Do you want to come with me?
When to use it: Invite someone to go somewhere with you.
要不要 forms a yes-or-no question by placing 不 between repeated verbs.
Say it: 不 changes to a rising tone before the fourth-tone 要.
这可以让我放松
This lets me relax.
When to use it: Use this to explain how an activity helps you feel relaxed.
让 connects something with the result it causes.
Say it: 松 has a high, level first tone.
Story — what Maya does for fun
On Saturday, Yi-Jun asks Maya about her free time and suggests a Sunday outing. A-Li is nearby at Banyan Breakfast, with his usual unfinished soy milk.
When A-Li says he walks, everyone turns to look at him. The fortune slip stays a mystery.
Maya你好！Hello!
Yi-Jun周日你平常休闲都做什么？What do you usually do for fun on Sundays?- Maya我空闲的时候喜欢看电影。I like watching movies in my free time.
- Yi-Jun你平常有什么兴趣？What are your hobbies?
- Maya我对摄影有兴趣。I'm interested in photography.
- Maya这可以让我放松。Photography lets me relax.
- Yi-Jun周日我想去公园拍照。你要不要跟我一起去？I want to take photos at the park on Sunday. Do you want to come with me?
- Maya好啊，周日见！Sure, see you Sunday!
A-Li我平常走路。I usually walk.- Everyone turns to look at A-Li.
- A-Li你们怎么都看我？Why is everyone looking at me?
- Yi-Jun因为你说你平常走路啊。Because you said you usually walk.
- Maya好啊，大家一起走吧。Sure, let's all walk together.
Practice — talk about your interests
Try these quick exercises to ask about hobbies, share what you enjoy, and make a plan with a friend. Read each explanation, then say the line aloud.
0 of 12 done
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
我空闲的时候喜欢看电影
What do you say?
What do you say?
Ask a friend what hobbies they have.
Build the line
Build the line
I like watching movies in my free time.
Tap the words in order.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
I'm interested in photography.
我对____有兴趣
Swap the word
Swap the word
Invite a friend to go somewhere with you.
____要不要跟我一起去？
Match the pairs
Simplified Chinese
你平常有什么兴趣？Drop the English here你平常休闲都做什么？Drop the English here我对摄影有兴趣Drop the English here这可以让我放松Drop the English hereEnglish
What do you say?
What do you say?
Ask your friend what they usually do for fun.
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Pick the reply
Yi-Jun says:
Pick the reply
你平常有什么兴趣？
What are your hobbies?
And you reply with:
What do you say?
What do you say?
You meet Yi-Jun. Greet her casually.
Pick the reply
Yi-Jun says:
Pick the reply
我喜欢看电影。
I like watching movies.
And you reply with:
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Say it — make a weekend plan
You are Maya, chatting with Yi-Jun and A-Li about hobbies and a Sunday outing. Listen to each line, then respond with your own words.
Take your time with the phrase about relaxing and the words for free time. Speak clearly, and try each turn again if you want.
- Yi-Jun greets Maya at Banyan Breakfast on Saturday.
- Yi-Jun你好！Hello!
- Maya (you)Greet Yi-Jun casually.
Greet Yi-Jun casually.
你好
Hello.
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| Simplified Chinese | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| 我空闲的时候喜欢看电影 | I like watching movies in my free time. | |
| 你平常有什么兴趣？ | What are your hobbies? | |
| 你平常休闲都做什么？ | What do you usually do for fun? | |
| 我对摄影有兴趣 | I'm interested in photography. | |
| 你要不要跟我一起去？ | Do you want to come with me? | |
| 这可以让我放松 | This lets me relax. |
Save your progress — it’s free
Keep your place in the course and see which lines you’ve learned.
Want the next lesson in your inbox?
Get the next lesson by email, one a day.
Join the newsletterDaily lesson emails are coming soon. Newsletter subscribers get them first.
Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Today's hobby questions and answers are in Yak Cards.
Review a few cards regularly, then try asking a friend about their free time.
Open Yak Cards