German for Finding Shared Hobbies: Say 'We both love hiking!' and 'Do you play chess?'
Learn to ask about hobbies and express mutual interests in German. Use 'Wir beide' and 'auch' to build connections.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
When you meet someone new, finding a shared hobby is a great way to connect. In this lesson, you'll learn how to ask about hobbies and express that you both enjoy the same activity. You'll use phrases like 'Wir beide lieben Wandern!' (We both love hiking!) and 'Spielst du Schach?' (Do you play chess?). We'll focus on the structures that show mutual interest, such as 'Wir beide' and 'auch'. By the end, you'll be able to confidently discover common ground in German.
By the end, you can…
- ask someone if they play a specific sport or game.
- say that we both like or love the same activity.
- respond to someone who shares my hobby.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Wir beide lieben Wandern!
We both love hiking!
veer BY-duh LEE-buhn VAN-dan
Use 'Wir beide' to emphasize that both you and the other person share the hobby. 'Wandern' is a verb here, used as a noun (capitalized).
Spielst du Schach?
Do you play chess?
SHPEELST doo shakh
A direct question about playing chess. 'Schach' is neuter and takes no article in this context.
Ich spiele auch gern Fußball.
I also like playing soccer.
ikh SHPEEL-uh owkh gairn FOOS-bahl
Use 'auch gern' to say you also like doing something. 'Gern' means 'gladly' or 'like to'.
Hast du Lust, zusammen zu wandern?
Do you feel like hiking together?
hahst doo loost, tsoo-ZAH-muhn tsoo VAN-dan
A friendly way to suggest doing a hobby together. 'Lust haben' means 'to feel like'.
Das ist ja toll, dass wir beide gerne lesen!
That's great that we both like reading!
dahs ist yah tol, dahs veer BY-duh GAIR-nuh LAY-zuhn
Express enthusiasm when you discover a shared hobby. 'Ja' adds emphasis.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To express that you both share a hobby, use 'Wir beide' + verb + hobby. For example: 'Wir beide spielen gern Tennis.' (We both like playing tennis.) You can also use 'auch' to say you do something too: 'Ich spiele auch gern Tennis.' (I also like playing tennis.) Note that 'gern' comes after the verb. For hobbies that are verbs in English (like hiking, swimming), German often uses the infinitive as a noun: 'Wandern', 'Schwimmen'. These nouns are neuter and take no article when used generally.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you want to find common ground with someone. Start by asking 'Spielst du...?' or 'Machst du...?' to inquire about a specific hobby. If they say yes, respond with 'Ich auch!' (Me too!) or 'Wir beide!' (We both!). To suggest doing the hobby together, say 'Hast du Lust, zusammen zu ...?' This is casual and friendly. If you want to be more formal, use 'Hätten Sie Lust, zusammen zu ...?' Remember that 'zusammen' means 'together' and goes before the infinitive at the end.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Spielst du Schach?
Do you play chess?SHPEELST doo shakhJa, ich spiele gern Schach. Und du?
Yes, I like playing chess. And you?yah, ikh SHPEEL-uh gairn shakh. oont doo?Ich auch! Wir beide lieben Schach!
Me too! We both love chess!ikh owkh! veer BY-duh LEE-buhn shakhSuper! Hast du Lust, zusammen zu spielen?
Great! Do you feel like playing together?ZOO-per! hahst doo loost, tsoo-ZAH-muhn tsoo SHPEEL-uhnA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, hobbies are a common topic in casual conversations. It's normal to ask about hobbies directly, but avoid overly personal questions. 'Hast du Lust...?' is informal; use 'Hätten Sie Lust...?' with strangers or in formal contexts. Regional differences: In Switzerland, 'grillieren' is used for 'to barbecue' instead of 'grillen' in Germany. In Austria, 'Jause' refers to a snack, which might come up when discussing hobbies like hiking.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Wir beide lieben wandern' with a lowercase 'wandern'.
Try this instead: When 'wandern' is used as a noun meaning 'hiking', it must be capitalized: 'Wir beide lieben Wandern.' If you use it as a verb, it's lowercase: 'Wir beide wandern gern.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask someone if they play soccer?
Show a sample answer
Spielst du Fußball?
This is the standard informal question. For formal, use 'Spielen Sie Fußball?'
2Translate: 'We both like reading.'
Show a sample answer
Wir beide lesen gern.
This uses 'Wir beide' + verb + 'gern'. Alternatively, 'Wir beide mögen Lesen' is also correct but less common.
3What would you say to suggest hiking together?
Show a sample answer
Hast du Lust, zusammen zu wandern?
This is a friendly suggestion. You could also say 'Wollen wir zusammen wandern?'
To connect over shared hobbies in German, ask 'Spielst du...?' or 'Machst du...?', then respond with 'Ich auch!' or 'Wir beide...'. Use 'gern' to express liking, and 'Hast du Lust, zusammen zu...?' to suggest doing it together.
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