Vocabulary: Thematic & Topical Vocabulary (A2) - Lesson 1: Hobbies & Free Time Activities

Lesson 1: Hobbies & Free Time Activities

Thematic & Topical Vocabulary (A2)

Welcome to our A2 Thematic Vocabulary series! We all have activities we enjoy doing in our free time. These are called "hobbies". Talking about your hobbies is a great way to make friends and share your personality. Let's learn the English phrases to describe what you love to do!

Word Bank: Common Hobbies

• Free time (noun phrase) | ពេលវេលាទំនេរ
  Time when you are not working or studying.
• Hobby (noun) | ចំណង់ចំណូលចិត្ត
  An activity you do for pleasure in your free time.
• to watch movies (verb phrase) | មើលកុន
  To see a film at home or at the cinema.
  Example: "I like to watch movies on the weekend."
• to listen to music (verb phrase) | ស្ដាប់តន្ត្រី
  To hear songs or instrumental pieces.
  Example: "I listen to music when I study."
• to play sports (verb phrase) | លេងកីឡា
  To participate in a physical game like football.
  Example: "He loves to play sports with friends."
• to read books (verb phrase) | អានសៀវភៅ
  To look at and understand words in a book.
  Example: "She likes to read books."
• to go shopping (verb phrase) | ទៅទិញអីវ៉ាន់
  To visit shops to look at and buy things.
  Example: "They go shopping on Saturday."
• to cook (verb) | ចំអិន
  To prepare food by heating it.
  Example: "My hobby is to cook new dishes."
• to travel (verb) | ធ្វើដំណើរ
  To go from one place to another.
  Example: "I want to travel to the coast."
• to spend time with family (verb phrase) | ចំណាយពេលជាមួយគ្រួសារ
  To be with people you care about.
  Example: "On Sunday, I spend time with my family."

Usage Note: Talking About Hobbies

To ask about hobbies, you can say: "What are your hobbies?" or "What do you do in your free time?"

To answer, you can use two common structures. Both are correct!

• I like + [verb]-ing:
  Example: "I like watching movies." or "I like reading."
• I like + to + [verb]:
  Example: "I like to watch movies." or "I like to read."

In Conversation

Maria is asking Bora about his interests.

Maria: Bora, what do you do in your free time?

Bora: I like to play sports, especially football. I also listen to music a lot. What about you?

Maria: I'm not very sporty. I prefer reading books and watching movies. My favorite hobby is to cook.

Bora: That's a great hobby! I also like to spend time with my family on the weekends. Sometimes we go shopping together.

Maria: That sounds lovely. My family lives far away, so I hope to travel to see them next year.

Check Your Understanding

1. If you enjoy preparing new dishes, your hobby is ______.
   • a) to travel
   • b) to cook
   • c) to play sports
   Answer: b) to cook

2. Which sentence is also a correct way to say, "I like to watch movies"?
   • a) I like is watching movies.
   • b) I like watching movies.
   • c) I like watch movies.
   Answer: b) I like watching movies.

3. How can you ask someone about their hobbies?
   • a) How are your hobbies?
   • b) Where are your hobbies?
   • c) What are your hobbies?
   Answer: c) What are your hobbies?

Your Mission

1. My Hobbies: Write two sentences about your own hobbies. Use both structures from the Usage Note. (e.g., "I like reading books. I also like to listen to music.")
2. A Friend's Hobbies: Think about a friend. What are their hobbies? Write one sentence. (e.g., "My friend likes to play sports.")
3. Speak: Your mission is to ask a friend, "What do you do in your free time?". Listen to their answer and tell them about one of your hobbies.