In this workshop you will practice a short, friendly conversation about hobbies. You will learn how to say what you like, how to ask someone else, how to react when you share the same interest, and how to invite that person to do something together. Each native example comes from the recordings, and you will hear the exact lines you can use. You do not need to invent new sentences; you will build your speaking from the recorded phrases step by step.
Saying what you like
The basic pattern for a hobby you enjoy is a hobby word plus the particle ga and the phrase suki desu. The particle ga marks the thing you like. For example, «ハイキングが好きです。» means 'I like hiking.' The word haikingu is the hobby, ga marks it, and suki desu means 'is liked' or 'I like it.' To ask another person, add ka at the end: «ハイキングが好きですか。» means 'Do you like hiking?' The ka turns the statement into a polite yes/no question. When you want to say you like the same thing, change ga to mo: «私も好きです。» means 'I like it too.' The particle mo adds the meaning 'also' or 'too' about yourself. Practice these three lines until the particles feel natural.
Asking about an activity
Some hobbies are actions you do, such as playing a game. For these, use the pattern activity plus o shimasu. The particle o marks the activity, and shimasu means 'do' or 'play.' To ask a question, add ka: «チェスをしますか。» means 'Do you play chess?' Here chesu is the game, o marks it, shimasu is 'play,' and ka makes it a question. Notice that this is different from suki desu. Suki desu tells how you feel about something; o shimasu asks whether you do an activity. Both are useful when you talk about free time. Keep the question short and clear, and let your voice rise slightly at the end.
Sharing an interest and inviting
A natural hobby conversation often moves from a question to a shared interest and then to an invitation. In the recorded exchange, one speaker asks «趣味は何ですか。», which means 'What are your hobbies?' The other answers with «ハイキングが好きです。», which means 'I like hiking.' The first speaker then responds with «私もハイキングが好きです。一緒にハイキングをしませんか。», which means 'I like hiking too. Won't you go hiking together?' This line uses mo for 'too' and the polite invitation pattern mashou ka, which means 'won't you' or 'shall we.' The other speaker accepts with «いいですね。ぜひ行きましょう。», which means 'That sounds good. Let's definitely go.' The word zehi adds strong willingness. Together these lines form a complete, friendly exchange you can practice from both sides.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
ハイキングが好きです。
I like hiking.
ha-i-ki-n-gu ga su-ki de-su
ハイキングが好きですか。
Do you like hiking?
ha-i-ki-n-gu ga su-ki de-su ka
私も好きです。
I like it too.
wa-ta-shi mo su-ki de-su
チェスをしますか。
Do you play chess?
che-su o shi-ma-su ka
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
趣味は何ですか。
What are your hobbies?ハイキングが好きです。
I like hiking.私もハイキングが好きです。一緒にハイキングをしませんか。
I like hiking too. Won't you go hiking together?いいですね。ぜひ行きましょう。
That sounds good. Let's definitely go.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: ask and answer about hiking
You will play both roles in a short exchange about hiking. Use only the recorded lines. First you are the person who asks, then you are the person who answers.
Your task: Step 1: Say the question «ハイキングが好きですか。» as if asking a friend. Step 2: Answer with «ハイキングが好きです。». Step 3: React as the first speaker with «私も好きです。». Repeat the exchange once more, but this time start with the answer and then ask the question.
Reply comprehension: choose the right response
Imagine a friend asks you a question about an activity. You will hear or read the question and choose the best recorded reply from the options. This checks whether you understand the difference between liking something and doing an activity.
Your task: Question: «チェスをしますか。». Compare the two recorded options: Option A «ハイキングが好きです。» and Option B «私も好きです。». Decide whether either option directly answers the chess question; say 'neither' aloud if it does not. Then say the question «ハイキングが好きですか。» and choose between the same two options for a question about hiking.
Recall and role switch: from question to invitation
Now you will recall the longer exchange from memory. You will play both roles: first the person who asks about hobbies, then the person who answers and accepts an invitation.
Your task: Role A: Ask «趣味は何ですか。». Role B: Answer «ハイキングが好きです。». Role A: Respond with «私もハイキングが好きです。一緒にハイキングをしませんか。». Role B: Accept with «いいですね。ぜひ行きましょう。». After one full round, switch roles and repeat. Try to say each line without looking, then check yourself.
Common questions
What is the difference between ga suki desu and o shimasu?
Ga suki desu tells what you like. For example, «ハイキングが好きです。» means 'I like hiking.' O shimasu tells what activity you do. For example, «チェスをしますか。» means 'Do you play chess?' Use suki desu for feelings about a hobby and o shimasu for actions you perform.
When can I use mo instead of ga?
Use mo when you want to say 'too' or 'also' about yourself after someone has mentioned the same thing. In «私も好きです。», mo replaces ga to mean 'I like it too.' In «私もハイキングが好きです。一緒にハイキングをしませんか。», the speaker says 'I like hiking too' with mo before inviting the other person.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: talk about common interestsChecked September 2026
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