Talking about hobbies and daily routines is essential for making friends and building connections. This lesson covers leisure activities, sports, entertainment, daily routines, and the grammar to describe what you like doing.
Estimated Time: 45–60 minutes
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 爱好 | àihào | hobby |
| 看书 | kàn shū | read books |
| 看电影 | kàn diànyǐng | watch movies |
| 听音乐 | tīng yīnyuè | listen to music |
| 画画 | huà huà | draw/paint |
| 做饭 | zuò fàn | cook |
| 旅游 | lǚyóu | travel |
| 拍照 | pāi zhào | take photos |
| 玩游戏 | wán yóuxì | play games (video/board) |
| 逛街 | guàng jiē | go shopping (browsing) |
| 唱歌 | chàng gē | sing songs |
| 跳舞 | tiào wǔ | dance |
To say you like doing something: 我喜欢 + verb
我喜欢看书。(Wǒ xǐhuan kàn shū.) = I like reading.
你喜欢做什么？(Nǐ xǐhuan zuò shénme?) = What do you like to do?
For dislike: 我不喜欢... (Wǒ bù xǐhuan...) = I don't like...
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 运动 | yùndòng | exercise/sports |
| 跑步 | pǎo bù | running/jogging |
| 游泳 | yóu yǒng | swimming |
| 打篮球 | dǎ lánqiú | play basketball |
| 踢足球 | tī zúqiú | play soccer |
| 打乒乓球 | dǎ pīngpāng qiú | play table tennis |
| 打羽毛球 | dǎ yǔmáoqiú | play badminton |
| 太极拳 | tàijí quán | tai chi |
| 爬山 | pá shān | hiking/mountain climbing |
| 瑜伽 | yújiā | yoga |
| 健身 | jiànshēn | work out / go to the gym |
💡 Cultural Insight: Walk through any Chinese park early in the morning and you'll see groups of elderly people doing 太极拳 (tai chi), 广场舞 (guǎngchǎng wǔ, square dancing), or using outdoor fitness equipment. These communal exercise activities are a beloved part of Chinese daily life — parks serve as open-air gyms and social clubs.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 起床 | qǐ chuáng | get up / wake up |
| 洗脸 | xǐ liǎn | wash face |
| 刷牙 | shuā yá | brush teeth |
| 吃早饭 | chī zǎofàn | eat breakfast |
| 上班 / 上学 | shàng bān / shàng xué | go to work / school |
| 吃午饭 | chī wǔfàn | eat lunch |
| 午休 | wǔxiū | afternoon nap |
| 下班 | xià bān | get off work |
| 吃晚饭 | chī wǎnfàn | eat dinner |
| 看电视 | kàn diànshì | watch TV |
| 洗澡 | xǐ zǎo | take a shower/bath |
| 睡觉 | shuì jiào | go to sleep |
The 午休 (wǔxiū, afternoon rest) is a cherished Chinese tradition. Many workplaces and schools actually schedule a lunch break of 1.5–2 hours to allow for a nap. Students literally sleep at their desks. It's considered healthy and important for afternoon productivity.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Cultural Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTV / 卡拉OK | KTV / kǎlā OK | karaoke | Private rooms, not stage — hugely popular |
| 网吧 | wǎngbā | internet café | Still popular for gaming |
| 电视剧 | diànshìjù | TV drama | Chinese dramas are wildly popular |
| 综艺节目 | zōngyì jiémù | variety show | Huge entertainment industry |
| 麻将 | májiàng | mahjong | Classic Chinese game, social tradition |
| 棋 | qí | chess / board games | 象棋 (Chinese chess), 围棋 (Go/Weiqi) |
| 广场舞 | guǎngchǎng wǔ | square dancing | Aunties' group dance in parks/plazas |
A: 你周末喜欢做什么？(Nǐ zhōumò xǐhuan zuò shénme?) — What do you like to do on weekends?
B: 我喜欢打篮球和看电影。你呢？(Wǒ xǐhuan dǎ lánqiú hé kàn diànyǐng. Nǐ ne?) — I like playing basketball and watching movies. You?
A: 我喜欢画画。周六我们一起去看电影吧！(Wǒ xǐhuan huà huà. Zhōuliù wǒmen yìqǐ qù kàn diànyǐng ba!) — I like drawing. Let's go see a movie Saturday!
B: 好啊！你每天几点起床？(Hǎo a! Nǐ měitiān jǐ diǎn qǐ chuáng?) — Great! What time do you get up every day?
A: 七点。你呢？(Qī diǎn. Nǐ ne?) — 7 o'clock. You?
B: 我八点才起床。我喜欢睡懒觉！(Wǒ bā diǎn cái qǐ chuáng. Wǒ xǐhuan shuì lǎnjiào!) — I don't get up until 8. I love sleeping in!
1. How do you say "I like reading" in Chinese?
2. What is 广场舞 (guǎngchǎng wǔ)?
3. What is 午休 (wǔxiū)?
Hobbies pattern: 我喜欢 + verb (I like doing...). Ask: 你喜欢做什么？
Sports verbs: 打 (ball sports with hands), 踢 (kick-sports), 游 (swim), 跑 (run).
Daily routine: 起床 (wake up) → 上班 (go to work) → 午休 (nap) → 下班 (leave work) → 睡觉 (sleep).
Entertainment: KTV (karaoke), 麻将 (mahjong), 广场舞 (square dancing) are uniquely Chinese.
Culture: Morning park exercises, afternoon naps, and communal activities are deeply embedded in daily life.