Meaning
To possess a regular activity done for pleasure.
Cultural Background
The 'Work-Life Balance' (워라밸) movement has made 'having a hobby' a status symbol of a healthy life. Many companies now offer 'hobby stipends' to employees. The concept of 'Otaku' started as a way to describe people with extreme hobbies. In Korea, a similar term 'Deok-hu' (덕후) is used for people who 'possess' a deep hobby. Social media has turned hobbies into 'content.' People often '가지다' (have) hobbies specifically to share them on Instagram (인생샷). In the past, 'Pung-ryu' ({風流|風流}) was the term for enjoying arts and nature, the ancestor of the modern '취미'.
Use '갖다' for natural speech
In 90% of casual conversations, Koreans will say '취미를 갖다' instead of '가지다'.
Don't say '취미를 해요'
This is a common English-influenced mistake. Use '취미 생활을 해요' instead.
Meaning
To possess a regular activity done for pleasure.
Use '갖다' for natural speech
In 90% of casual conversations, Koreans will say '취미를 갖다' instead of '가지다'.
Don't say '취미를 해요'
This is a common English-influenced mistake. Use '취미 생활을 해요' instead.
The 'Hobby' Icebreaker
If a conversation stalls, asking '취미가 뭐예요?' is the safest and most polite way to restart it in Korea.
Specifics are better
Instead of just '취미를 가지고 있어요', say '[Activity]라는 취미를 가지고 있어요' to sound more fluent.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '가지다'.
저는 요즘 사진 찍는 취미를 ____ 싶어요.
'~고 싶다' is the pattern for 'want to'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I have a hobby'?
가장 자연스러운 문장을 고르세요.
'취미를 가지고 있다' is the standard collocation.
Match the Korean phrase with its English meaning.
연결하세요.
Each phrase has a specific nuance regarding the stage of the hobby.
Complete the dialogue.
가: 주말에 보통 뭐 하세요? 나: 저는 운동을 좋아해서 테니스라는 ____.
The speaker is describing their current state of having a hobby.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
가지다 vs. 하다
Practice Bank
4 exercises저는 요즘 사진 찍는 취미를 ____ 싶어요.
'~고 싶다' is the pattern for 'want to'.
가장 자연스러운 문장을 고르세요.
'취미를 가지고 있다' is the standard collocation.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Each phrase has a specific nuance regarding the stage of the hobby.
가: 주말에 보통 뭐 하세요? 나: 저는 운동을 좋아해서 테니스라는 ____.
The speaker is describing their current state of having a hobby.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes, '취미가 있다' is very common. '취미를 가지다' sounds slightly more active, like you are intentionally maintaining it.
No, it's just a standard contraction of '가지다'. It's appropriate in almost all settings.
관심 is 'interest' (thinking about it). 취미 is 'hobby' (actually doing it).
You can say '취미가 없어요' or '딱히 취미라고 할 만한 게 없어요' (I don't have anything I'd call a hobby).
Yes! '축구라는 취미를 가지고 있어요' is perfectly fine.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a job interview by changing the ending (가져 / 가집니다).
In Korean, you 'possess' the status of having a hobby. You 'do' (하다) the specific activity, but you 'have' (가지다) the hobby.
Yes, if you mean 'to create/start a new hobby'.
It means 'hobby life'. It's used to describe the overall lifestyle of engaging in hobbies.
No, '취미' usually implies something positive or productive. For bad habits, use '버릇' or '습관'.
취미가 무엇입니까? or 어떤 취미를 가지고 계십니까?
Yes, but they might just say '뭐 하고 노는 거 좋아해?' (What do you like to play?).
Yes, the word '취미' is used, though the cultural context of leisure may differ.
It means a 'healthy/wholesome hobby' like reading or exercise.
Related Phrases
취미 생활
similarHobby life
특기를 가지다
similarTo have a special talent
관심이 있다
builds onTo have an interest
취미를 붙이다
specialized formTo get hooked on a hobby
취미가 맞다
similarTo have matching hobbies
여가를 즐기다
similarTo enjoy leisure
