What are hobbies?

[shineikai]

Hobby means "shumi" in Japanese. The problem is that "shumi" seems to have a wider meaning than "hobby" does, and I don't know how wide it is. In order for me to properly use an English word "hobby," I have to know what it is exactly. For example, sleeping a lot on Sundays is a "shumi." Waching baseball games on TV is also a "shumi." They are all "an activity pursued in spare time for pleasure or relaxation," but do you call them "hobbies"? I undestand that playing sports, reading books, going fishing, and watching movies can be hobbies. Some may disagree with this?

 

[Raymott]

'Hobby' has a more restricted meaning than 'shumi', from what you've said. Sleeping doesn't count. A hobby is something that you have invested a lot of time, energy, and interest in. Watching movies, if you become knowledgable about film genres, etc. could be a hobby, but watching TV because you are too lazy to do anything else would probably not be called a hobby by most people.
Reading and fishing are certainly hobbies. Sports could be hobbies, but often they are classed separately, for example, you might ask a person, "Do you have any favourite sports or hobbies?"
I'm sure other people would have a different idea about how to classify some of these activities.

 

[Tdol]

And watching baseball on TV could be seen as a hobby.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Some activities can be hobbies for some people and occupations for others. A person can knit for fun and relaxation. Another person can make knitted products for sale.

 

[Barb_D]

I would like to consider sleep a recreational activity. Sadly, I don't get to practice it as much as I'd like.

 

[Tdol]

I would like to consider sleep a recreational activity.

It is. ;-)