Have anyone ever asked you คุณชอบทำอะไรในเวลาว่าง (kun chɔ̂ɔp tam a-rai nai wee-laa-wâang) or what do you like to do during your free time? In this post, we will discuss the common hobbies in
Thai language so that you answer this question without sweating it out. In addition, we will walk you through our painless list of translated words that can help you when describing your interests or fun plans for the weekend. If you are ready for that, then let’s start learning!
No matter where you are in the world, it is impossible not to find an opportunity to discuss with someone about your hobbies or งานอดิเรก (pronounced as ngaan a-di-rek). After all, we all have unique interests that we pursue during our free time after work, and this can literally be anything- from drawing, writing, gaming, to even karaoke! And if you still haven’t found the best hobby yet, you definitely should consider trying out different ones since it is known to give the following benefits:
- A hobby can help you lower your anxiety, especially when work starts to become too overwhelming.
- Pursuing interesting activities allows you to relax and even develop some useful skills!
- A hobby can help you in your social life as you may have the chance to share your passion with like-minded individuals.
- If you continue to practice and explore your hobbies, they may open new doors of opportunities where you can profit!
Now that we already have an idea of its importance, let us move on to the most common Thai translations that you can use when talking about this.
Common Hobbies In Thai Language
If ever you find yourself in a situation where you are being asked about your hobbies, do remember this basic formula: ฉันชอบ + ____. Pronounced as chǎn châawp, the ฉันชอบ can directly be translated to “I like to” in English and all you have to do is to supply the blank with any of the words we have on the table below.
| English | Thai | Pronunciation Guide |
| Reading | อ่าน | àan |
| Taking pictures | ถ่ายรูป | thàai rûup |
| Surfing the net | เล่นอินเตอร์เน็ต | lên in dtooe nèt |
| Playing video games | เล่นวีดีโอเกม | lên wii dii oo geem |
| Cycling | ขี่จักรยาน | kèe jàk gra yaan |
| Shopping | ซื้อของ | séu kŏrng |
| Camping | แคมปิง | káep bpîng |
| Diving | ดำน้ำ | dam náam |
| Watching films | ดูหนัง | duu năng |
| Gardening | ทำสวน | tam sŭan |
| Drawing | วาด | wâat |
| Dancing | เต้น | dtên |
| Painting | ระบายสี | rá baai sǐi |
| Playing sports | เล่นกีฬา | lên gii laa |
| Playing an instrument | เล่นดนตรี | lên don dtrii |
| Exercising | ออกกำลังกาย | àawk gam lang gaa |
| Singing | ร้องเพลง | ráawng phleeng |
| Swimming | การว่ายน้ำ | kān ẁāy n̂g |
| Sewing | การเย็บผ้า | kān yĕb p̄ĥā |
| Cooking | ทำอาหาร | tum ar harn |
| Listening to music | ฟังเพลง | fung pla ing |
| Writing | เขียน | kien |
| Mountain climbing | ปีนเขา | peen kao |
| Fishing | ตกปลา | tok pla |
| Cheerleading | เต้นหลีด | ten lead |
| Planting | ปลูกต้นไม้ | dtôn máai |
| Karaoke | ร้องคาราโอเกะ | rórng kaa raa oo gè |
| Playing guitar | เล่นกีตาร์ | lên gee dtâa |
| Traveling | ไปเที่ยว | bpai tîiao |
Which of these words are you excited to test and add to your daily conversations with Thai locals? Let us know in the comment section below. No matter what it is, we hope you will find the confidence to answer and use any of these words next time. But before you jump off and read out other Thai-related posts, allow us to help you out further!
Common Genres
In the table below, you will find the common genres just in case you see yourself needing to explain more about the genres of movies, books, games, or music that you like.
| English | Thai | Pronunciation Guide |
| comedy | หนังตลก | nǎng dtà lòk |
| science fiction | หนังไซไฟ | nǎng sai fai |
| romance | หนังโรแมนติก | nǎng roo maaen dtìk |
| thriller | หนังระทึกขวัญ | nǎng rá thúek khwǎn |
| action | หนังต่อสู้ | nǎng dtàaw sûu |
| fantasy | หนังแฟนตาซี | nǎng faaen dtaa sii |
| musical | หนังเพลง | nǎng phleeng |
| horror | หนังสยองขวัญ | nǎng sà yǎawng khwǎn |
| drama | หนังดราม่า | nǎng draa mâa |
| documentary | ภาพยนตร์สารคดี | Pphāphyntr̒ s̄ārkhdī |
| animation | อนิเมชั่น | ànímeechân |
| mystery | หนังลึกลับ | nǎng lúekláp |
| fiction | นิยาย | niyāy |
| war film | หนังสงคราม | nạng s̄ongkhrām |
| disaster | ภาพยนตร์เรื่องภัยพิบัติ | P̣hāphyntr̒ reụ̄̀xng p̣hạy phibạti |
| adventure | หนังผจญภัย | nạng p̄hcỵ p̣hạy |
| zombie | หนังซอมบี้ | nang zombee |
| spy | หนังสายลับ | nang sailab |
| dystopian | ภาพยนตร์ดิสโทเปีย | nang dis to pyan |
| rock music | เพลงร็อค | phelng r̆okh |
| hiphop | เพลงฮิปฮอป | phelng hiphop |
| jazz | ดนตรีแจส | Dntrī cæs̄ |
| pop | เพลงป๊อบ | Phelng ṕob |
As we reach this part of the post, we hope that you were to learn a few more words that will enrich your vocabulary in the Thai language. If you’d like to learn more words in the Thai language, we highly recommend that you read our previous posts, like the easy terms related to moods and emotions, common Thai cooking terms, and the words related to places that every traveler should know. On the flip side, if you want to learn the Thai language and speak it like a pro, you better explore the Ling App. Read on below to find out what it is all about.
Learn Thai Today Using The Ling App
When it comes to enhancing your foreign language skills, using FREE language resources can definitely help you out! If you are truly passionate about mastering the Thai language, we highly recommend that you sign up and create a free account to start using the Ling App by Simya Solutions.
Ling App is an innovative language learning tool created to support language enthusiasts across the world by providing updated and motivating lessons for free. This is an ideal tool if you want something that is flexible and can easily be downloaded using your mobiles devices (or accessed via its web version). Once you join our community of learners, you will instantly get access to outstanding lessons developed by real native speakers and language learning professionals.
But the best part of it all? This language learning platform is created with gamification in mind, which means you will never feel bored or overwhelmed when learning! From challenging quizzes, fun games to chatbots, Ling App got you covered! Download it today via Google PlayStore and Apple AppStore to start your language learning journey on the right foot.
