How to politely ask about someone's hobbies in Japanese
To politely ask about someone’s hobbies in Japanese, the most common and natural expression is:
趣味は何ですか？
Shumi wa nan desu ka?
”What are your hobbies?” (polite)
You can also use a very polite form when addressing strangers or elders:
ご趣味は？
Go-shumi wa?
”What are your hobbies?” (very polite)
For example, if you want to be even more formal to start a conversation, you can say:
あなたの趣味は何ですか？
Anata no shumi wa nan desu ka?
”What is your hobby?” (polite)
If you want to sound polite but casual, this phrase is commonly used:
趣味は何ですか？
This phrase works well in social conversations, interviews, and first meetings. If asked, you can respond with your hobby using the format:
趣味は [hobby] です。
Shumi wa [hobby] desu.
”My hobby is [hobby].”
Example hobbies: ギター (guitar), 読書 (reading), 料理 (cooking), 映画 (movies), スポーツ (sports).
Additional polite ways to ask about hobbies or interests include:
- 何か趣味はありますか？ (Nanika shumi wa arimasu ka?) - Do you have any hobbies?
- 休みの日は何をしますか？ (Yasumi no hi wa nani o shimasu ka?) - What do you do on your days off?
- 好きなことは何ですか？ (Suki na koto wa nan desu ka?) - What do you like to do?
Using these polite forms is appropriate when speaking to people not close to you or in formal contexts.
趣味は何ですか？ (Shumi wa nan desu ka?) is a polite and common way to say “What are your hobbies?” in Japanese. Responding with 趣味は〜です。 (Shumi wa ~ desu.) meaning “My hobby is ~.” completes the polite exchange well.