Word
趣味
Meaning in Englishhobby; pastime
Animated kanji stroke order
Sentence
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Word context
What it means
趣味 (shumi) means a person's hobby or interest; it describes activities someone regularly enjoys in their free time and the preferences that motivate those activities.
Main meanings
- 1) An aesthetic sense or personal taste used to judge art, fashion, or style rather than a specific activity.
- 2) A habitual inclination or penchant that characterizes a person's choices and leisure patterns.
- 3) A conversational topic marker for discussing likes and leisure, sometimes implying social identity or lifestyle.
How to use it
Common in everyday speech, introductions, resumes and profiles to state what someone likes to do; appears in both casual conversations and polite contexts when describing leisure activities or preferences, and is also used when commenting on someone's style or taste.
Variants and close terms
- 好み (konomi) — preference, taste
- 嗜好 (shikou) — tastes, inclinations
- 娯楽 (goraku) — entertainment, amusement
- 無趣味 (mushumi) — having no hobbies (antonym)
Composition
- 趣 (shu) — tendency, interest; suggests moving toward or being drawn to something.
- 味 (mi) — taste, flavor; denotes sensory or aesthetic appreciation.
- Together they create the notion of what 'tastes' appealing to someone — the activities or sensibilities a person prefers.
Word class
noun (名詞)
Word
Related words by kanji and components
N2
味わう
ajiwau
to taste, to savor
N2
正味
shoumi
net (weight)
N2
調味料
choumiryou
condiment, seasoning
N3
地味
jimi
plain, simple, conservative
N3
気味
kimi
feeling, tendency, slight impression
N3
味方
mikata
ally, supporter, one on your side
N3
加味
kami
seasoning, taking into account
N3
中味
nakami
contents, interior, filling
N4
味噌
miso
miso, fermented soybean paste
Kanji