Tired of mundane conversations that feel superficial? We know, talking about the weather can become a drag. But what if we told you that diving into the vibrant world of hobbies in Estonian could inject new life into your dialogues? From traditional crafts to exciting outdoor pursuits, we’ll explore the fascinating landscape of hobbies in Estonia and how they are woven into the language itself. Let’s begin!
As I started digging into Estonian culture, I hit something pretty rad. The lingo used for hobbies? It’s more than just words; it’s like a super advanced set of secret words that makes the Estonian peeps tick. I found out that these aren’t just some random terms; they’re the real deal in connecting with their daily vibes, leisure time, and the way they rock their expressions. So if you’re looking to spice up your conversations with the locals, read on the terms I rounded up below!
How To Ask About Hobbies In Estonian Language
The easiest way to ask about someone’s hobbies in Estonian is to say, “Mis on sinu hobid?” In this question, we’re using the word “Mis,” which translates to “What” in English. The verb “on” is the third-person singular form of the verb “olema,” basically translating to “are” in English. We also use the possessive form “sinu” to refer to “your” hobbies, stemming from the Estonian word “sina.” And, of course, we can’t leave out the word “hobid,” which is a straight-up translation of “hobbies” in English.
So next time you’re chatting with an Estonian pal and want to get into their favorite pastime, just drop the line, “Mis on sinu hobid?” Cool, right?

How To Say Your Hobbies In Estonian Language
While asking about hobbies is a great start, knowing how to talk about your own hobbies in Estonian is just as rad! The simplest way to express your hobbies in Estonian is to use this sentence formula: Minu hobi on + Estonian word for the hobby. Here, “Minu” means “my” in English, and “hobi” is pretty much the same as “hobby” in English. Add “on,” which means “is,” and you’re all set. So, “Minu hobi on” translates to “My hobby is” in English.
- My hobby is skiing = Minu hobi on suusatamine.
- My hobby is cooking = Minu hobi on kokkamine.
- My hobby is painting = Minu hobi on maalimine.
- My hobby is watching movies = Minu hobi on filmide vaatamine.
Can’t choose just one thing to rock during your free time? No problem! You can also reply with “Minu hobid on + Estonian words for the hobbies,” using the plural version of “hobi.”
- My hobbies are skiing, cooking, and painting = Minu hobid on suusatamine, kokkamine, ja maalimine.
- My hobbies are playing soccer and horse riding = Minu hobid on jalgpalli mängimine ja ratsutamine.
- My hobbies are traveling, taking pictures, and playing games = Minu hobid on reisimine, pildistamine, ja mängimine.
- My hobbies are swimming and going to the cinema = Minu hobid on ujumine ja kinno minek.
So there you go! Now you can totally show off your Estonian skills and chat about your hobbies like a pro! How awesome is that?

Words For Hobbies In Estonian
Ready to use the sentence formulas we shared above? If that’s the case, then learning about the common hobbies in the Estonian language is important. To help you get started, we rounded up the best words in the tables below.
Outdoor Hobbies
Estonia is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and close connection to nature, so it’s no surprise that outdoor hobbies are a big deal here. Here’s a handy table to help you dive into the exciting world of outdoor hobbies in Estonian:
English | Estonian |
---|---|
Hiking | Matkamine |
Fishing | Kalapüük |
Sailing | Purjetamine |
Cycling | Jalgrattasõit |
Swimming | Ujumine |
Skiing | Suusatamine |
Horse riding | Ratsutamine |
Bird watching | Linnuvaatlus |
Kayaking | Kajakisõit |
Rock climbing | Kaljuronimine |
Surfing | Lainelaudamine |
Playing beach volleyball | Rannavõrkpalli mängimine |
Gardening | Aiandus |
Hunting | Jahipidamine |
Sports Hobbies
From basketball to tennis, the nation’s sports hobbies are as diverse as they are exciting. Check out this table to level up your sports vocab in Estonian:
English | Estonian |
---|---|
Basketball | Korvpall |
Soccer | Jalgpall |
Tennis | Tennis |
Ice Hockey | Jäähoki |
Volleyball | Võrkpall |
Running | Jooksmine |
Gymnastics | Võimlemine |
Golf | Golf |
Boxing | Poks |
Swimming | Ujumine |
Cycling | Jalgrattasõit |
Badminton | Sulgpall |
Wrestling | Maadlus |
Yoga | Jooga |
Table Tennis | Lauatennis |
Travel Hobbies
For those who are bitten by the travel bug, there’s a rich array of travel hobbies that can satisfy even the most insatiable wanderlust. Here’s a table to get you speaking like a seasoned traveler in Estonian:
English | Estonian |
---|---|
Exploring cities | Linnade uurimine |
Camping | Telkimine |
Road tripping | Autoreisid |
Visiting museums | Muuseumide külastamine |
Sightseeing | Vaatamisväärsuste vaatamine |
Mountain climbing | Mägironimine |
Island hopping | Saarte vahel hüppamine |
Cruising | Kruiisimine |
Snorkeling | Snorgeldamine |
Backpacking | Seljakotireisimine |
Photography | Fotograafia |
Visiting historical sites | Ajalooliste kohtade külastamine |
Touring vineyards | Veinikeldrite tuuritamine |
Attending festivals | Festivalidel osalemine |
Dining at local eateries | Kohalikes söögikohtades söömine |
Crafts Hobbies
Crafting is more than just a way to pass the time in Estonia; it’s an expression of creativity and cultural heritage. Whether you enjoy traditional handicrafts or modern DIY projects, Estonia has a word for that!
English | Estonian |
---|---|
Knitting | Kudumine |
Sewing | Õmblemine |
Pottery | Keraamika |
Quilting | Vattimine |
Woodworking | Puutöö |
Embroidery | Tikand |
Jewelry making | Ehtekunst |
Painting | Maalimine |
Sculpting | Skulptuur |
Glassblowing | Klaasipuhumine |
Crocheting | Heegeldamine |
Leatherworking | Nahatöö |
Candle making | Küünalde valmistamine |
Papercraft | Paberikunst |
Soap making | Seebi valmistamine |
Collecting Hobbies
Collecting is a hobby that transcends borders, and in Estonia, it’s no different. From stamps to antiques, collecting hobbies are as varied as they are fascinating. Here’s a table to guide you through the diverse world of collecting in Estonian, whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out:
English | Estonian |
---|---|
Stamp collecting | Margikogumine |
Coin collecting | Mündikogumine |
Antique collecting | Antiigikogumine |
Toy collecting | Mänguasjakogumine |
Art collecting | Kunstkogumine |
Book collecting | Raamatukogumine |
Vinyl collecting | Vinüülkogumine |
Sports memorabilia | Spordimälestiste kogumine |
Postcard collecting | Postkaartide kogumine |
Watch collecting | Kellade kogumine |
Wine collecting | Veinikogumine |
Comic book collecting | Koomiksite kogumine |
Butterfly collecting | Liblikate kogumine |
Fossil collecting | Fossiilide kogumine |
Autograph collecting | Autogrammide kogumine |
Ready To Start Learning Estonian?
So, there you have it – a comprehensive guide to expressing your hobbies in Estonian, covering everything from sports to crafts, travel, and collecting. Whether you’re planning a trip to Estonia or simply want to connect with the vibrant culture and language, these words and phrases are your gateway to deeper, more engaging conversations.
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