Creative hobbies are activities you do in your free time to invent, build, decorate or express ideas. They can be things like Music, writing, cooking, taking photos, painting or working with your hands. They are also part of many Activities of leisure at home, in a workshop or outdoors.

To talk about them, very common verbs like hacer, crear, practicar and aprender are used. Many people say they have a hobby, a pastime or a personal project. In a daily conversation, you can hear phrases like me gusta dibujar, hago manualidades or dedico tiempo a la música.

A creative hobby usually has a visible result: a drawing, a recipe, a photo, a song, a story or a handmade object. Sometimes it is done just for fun and other times to improve a skill, relax or share what has been made with others.

To paint and draw you use words like lápiz, bolígrafo, rotulador, pincel, acuarela, tinta and lienzo. A cuaderno or a bloc de dibujo are used to make quick sketches. If someone works with color, they can use ceras, marcadores or pintura acrílica.

The most useful verbs are dibujar, pintar, trazar, bocetar and colorear. You can say dibujo una casa, pinto un paisaje or hago un boceto. When the image is on paper, one speaks of hoja, papel and lámina. When it is ready to hang, it can be an obra or a cuadro.

In this type of activity, ideas like mezclar colores, hacer sombras and dar forma also appear. To describe styles, words like realista, abstracto and simple are used. Many of these terms connect well with visual works and with other creative activities, such as those taught in Activities.

acuarelamezclar coloresbocetopaletacolorearcuaderno de dibujolápizlienzotrazopincel

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Cuaderno usado para practicar ideas, bocetos y dibujosSuperficie de tela donde se pinta una obraInstrumento para hacer trazos finos y dibujar con precisiónDibujo previo que muestra la idea principal de una obraJuntar colores para conseguir un tono nuevoObjeto donde se colocan y combinan pinturasPintura que se mezcla con agua para crear colores suaves y brillantesAñadir color a un dibujo o a una imagenHerramienta con cerdas para aplicar pinturaLínea que se hace al dibujar o escribir

Vocabulary for painting and drawing

Word	Definition
lápiz	Instrument for making fine strokes and to draw with precision.
acuarela	Paint that is mixed with water to create soft and bright colors.
lienzo	Fabric surface where a work is painted.
cuaderno de dibujo	Notebook used to practice ideas, sketches and drawings.
pincel	Tool with bristles to apply paint.
boceto	Preliminary drawing that shows the main idea of a work.
colorear	Adding color to a drawing or image.
mezclar colores	Mixing colors to obtain a new shade.
trazo	Line made when drawing or writing.
paleta	Object where paints are placed and mixed.

Scramble

Paper crafts use simple materials like papel, cartón, tijeras, pegamento, cinta and rotuladores. You can also work with papel de colores, papel de seda and cartulina. For decoration, pegatinas, purpurina, lentejuelas and lazos are used.

The key verbs are recortar, pegar, doblar, plegar, decorar and montar. With them you can talk about activities like hacer una tarjeta, construir una caja, crear una figura or fabricar un adorno. When the material is joined with care, one says it is arma or it is ensambla.

At home or in class, these crafts usually start with a plantilla or with a simple idea. Afterwards pieces, colors and details are added. If working with fabrics or scraps, words like tela, hilo and aguja may also appear.

doblarpegarplantillapegamentodecorarcartulinatijerasrecortarorigamireciclaje

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Pliegue que cambia la forma del papel sin romperloUso de materiales viejos para crear objetos nuevosModelo que se usa para copiar una formaAñadir detalles para hacer algo más bonito o llamativoHerramienta para cortar papel, tela o cartón finoCortar papel u otro material en partes más pequeñas o con una forma concretaUnir una pieza con otra usando cola o adhesivoArte de hacer figuras doblando papelSustancia que sirve para unir materialesPapel más grueso y resistente que el papel normal

Vocabulary for paper crafts

Word	Definition
recortar	Cutting paper or another material into smaller parts or with a specific shape.
pegar	Joining a piece with another using glue or adhesive.
cartulina	Thicker, more durable paper than regular paper.
doblar	Crease that changes the paper’s shape without tearing.
decorar	Add details to make something prettier or more striking.
plantilla	Pattern used to copy a shape.
tijeras	Tool to cut paper, fabric or thin cardboard.
pegamento	Substance used to join materials.
origami	Art of making figures by folding paper.
reciclaje	Use of old materials to create new objects.

Scramble

In creative cooking, you talk about receta, ingrediente, mezcla, masa and horno. For baking you see words like bizcocho, galleta, tarta, cupcake and glaseado. Utensils such as cuenco, batidora, espátula, molde and bandeja are also used.

The most frequent verbs are mezclar, batir, añadir, decorar, hornear and servir. You can say preparo galletas, decoro una tarta or hago una receta sencilla. When something looks nice and appetizing, one talks about presentación or decoración.

This activity blends flavor and creativity. You can work with shapes, colors and figures made with fruit, cream or chocolate. In everyday conversations, cocinar is also used to speak of the broader part of the activity, while repostería refers more to desserts and sweets.

bizcochoingredientebatirmezclarhornearrecetadecorargalletamoldesmasa

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Pequeño dulce horneado y crujienteCada cosa que se usa para preparar una comidaRecipientes o formas que dan figura a la masaJuntar ingredientes hasta que se unan bienCocinar con calor dentro del hornoMover una mezcla con energía para que se haga uniformeConjunto de pasos para preparar un plato o un postreMezcla espesa que se usa para hacer panes o pastelesAñadir detalles para que un postre quede más bonitoPastel esponjoso que suele hacerse en el horno

Vocabulary for creative cooking and baking

Word	Definition
receta	Set of steps to prepare a dish or dessert.
mezclar	Combining ingredients until they are well blended.
hornear	Cook with heat inside the oven.
decorar	Add details so a dessert looks prettier.
masa	Thick mixture used to make breads or cakes.
ingrediente	Each thing used to prepare a meal.
batir	Move a mixture energetically to make it uniform.
galleta	Small baked and crunchy sweet treat.
bizcocho	Soft sponge cake usually made in the oven.
moldes	Containers or shapes that give form to the dough.

Scramble

Photography and video use vocabulary like cámara, móvil, objetivo, pantalla and trípode. To talk about images, you use foto, fotografía, vídeo, plano and grabación. There is also edición, which is the work of adjusting the result after recording or shooting.

The most common verbs are hacer fotos, grabar, capturar, editar, cortar and compartir. You can say grabo un vídeo corto, hago una foto en el parque or edito las imágenes en el ordenador. When a person posts their work, they may subirlo to a social network or enviarlo to friends.

To describe the result you use words like claro, oscuro, nítido and movido. In video you also have lento, rápido and silencioso. This hobby blends observation, technique and creativity, just like other visual and artistic activities.

encuadrarautorretratocompartirvídeoenfoquecámarafotografiargrabareditarluz

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Colocar lo que se quiere mostrar dentro de la imagenGuardar imágenes o sonido en vídeo o en audioParte de la imagen que aparece más clara y nítidaDispositivo con el que se toman fotos o se graban vídeosCambiar y mejorar una foto o un vídeo antes de compartirloGrabación de imágenes en movimientoHacer una foto a una persona, un objeto o una escenaClaridad que permite ver mejor y tomar buenas imágenesMostrar una foto o un vídeo a otras personasFoto o dibujo que una persona hace de sí misma

Vocabulary for photography and video

Word	Definition
cámara	Device used to take photos or record videos.
fotografiar	To take a photo of a person, object or scene.
grabar	To save images or sound in video or audio.
editar	To change and improve a photo or video before sharing.
encuadrar	To place what you want to show within the image.
enfoque	Part of the image that appears clearer and sharper.
luz	Brightness that allows you to see better and take good images.
vídeo	Recording of moving images.
compartir	Show a photo or video to others.
autorretrato	Photo or drawing that a person makes of themselves.

Scramble

Creative writing uses words like cuento, poema, diario, historia, personaje and idea. It also talks about título, párrafo, frase and borrador. A cuaderno or a ordenador are used to write and revise.

The most useful verbs are escribir, imaginar, inventar, describir, corregir and releer. You can say escribo un cuento corto, anoto una idea or creo un poema. When the text is not finished, it is called borrador. When it is better organized, you can say it is listo or acabado.

In this practice you also see words like narrador, final, principio and diálogo. A personal text can be a diario, where a person writes about their day, plans or thoughts. Creative writing relates to imagination and personal expression.

finalinicioescribirpersonajecuentopoemadiariodescribirinventarnudo

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Explicar cómo es alguien o algo con palabrasPoner palabras por medio de letrasTexto breve que cuenta una historia imaginariaPrimera parte de una historia o un textoÚltima parte de una historia o un textoSer que participa en una historiaTexto corto con ritmo que expresa ideas o sentimientosParte central donde la historia se complicaCrear algo nuevo en la imaginaciónCuaderno donde se escriben experiencias, ideas o emociones

Vocabulary for creative writing

Word	Definition
cuento	Short text that tells an imaginative story.
poema	Short text with rhythm that expresses ideas or feelings.
diario	Notebook where experiences, ideas or emotions are written.
personaje	Being that participates in a story.
inicio	First part of a story or a text.
nudo	Central part where the story becomes complicated.
final	Last part of a story or a text.
inventar	Create something new in imagination.
describir	Explain how someone or something is with words.
escribir	Put words through letters.

Scramble

To talk about music at home you use words like instrument, guitarra, piano, batería, violín and micrófono. Also appear nota, melodía, ritmo and canción. If someone sings, they can practice with their voice, with a musical backing or with written lyrics.

The most common verbs are tocar, cantar, ensayar, practicar and escuchar. You can say toco la guitarra, canto una canción or ensayo en casa. When practice repeats every day, you talk about routine or class. If the person works alone, the verb practicar is used a lot; if they do it with others, they may ensayar for a group or performance.

Also talked about are afinación, compás and tempo to describe how the music sounds. If the reference is more general, one uses Music as a hobby, study or form of entertainment.

cantarafinaciónensayarpartituraritmoinstrumentomelodíatecladomicrófonopracticar

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Escritura musical que indica qué notas tocarObjeto que se usa para hacer músicaForma correcta en que suena un instrumento o una vozProducir música con la vozRepetir una actividad para mejorarInstrumento musical con teclasObjeto para ampliar la voz al cantar o hablarSerie de notas que forman una parte agradable de la músicaOrden o patrón que sigue una músicaPreparar una canción o una pieza musical antes de mostrarla

Vocabulary for music and practice at home

Word	Definition
instrumento	Object used to make music.
practicar	Repeating an activity to improve.
cantar	Produce music with the voice.
ritmo	Order or pattern that a piece of music follows.
melodía	Series of notes that form a pleasant part of the music.
ensayar	Prepare a song or musical piece before performing.
afinación	Correct way a instrument or voice sounds.
teclado	Musical instrument with keys.
micrófono	Device to amplify the voice when singing or speaking.
partitura	Musical notation that indicates what notes to play.

Scramble

DIY uses words like martillo, destornillador, clavo, tornillo, sierra and taladro. To fix things, one says reparar, montar, arreglar, lijar and pintar. At home you can also use caja de herramientas, cinta métrica and pegamento fuerte.

In knitting and sewing appear aguja, hilo, lana, tejido, bordado and patrón. The most common verbs are coser, tejer, bordar and hacer punto. You can say tejo una bufanda, coso un botón or bordo una flor.

For gardening you use planta, flor, maceta, tierra, riego and semilla. The most common verbs are plantar, regar, podar and cuidar. These activities mix patience and manual skill, and many times they are done to fix the house or keep a green space nice.

semillatornillomartillocoserplantabordartejerarreglarmacetaregar

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Parte de una planta de la que nace una nueva plantaFormar tela o prendas con hilo o lanaUnir telas con hilo y agujaPieza pequeña que sirve para fijar materialesHerramienta usada para golpear clavos u otras piezasReparar algo que está roto o en mal estadoEchar agua a las plantasRecipiente donde se cultivan plantasSer vivo que crece en la tierra y necesita cuidadosHacer dibujos o adornos con hilo sobre una tela

Vocabulary for DIY, sewing and gardening

Word	Definition
arreglar	Repair something that is broken or in bad condition.
martillo	Tool used to hammer nails or other pieces.
tornillo	Small piece that serves to fix materials.
coser	Joining fabrics with thread and needle.
bordar	Making drawings or adornments with thread on fabric.
tejer	Forming fabric or garments with thread or yarn.
planta	Living being that grows in the ground and needs care.
regar	Pour water on the plants.
semilla	Part of a plant from which a new plant grows.
maceta	Container where plants are cultivated.

Scramble

To talk about hobbies in Spanish, you often use me gusta + name or infinitive. Also common are me encanta, prefiero, suelo + infinitive and me dedico a + activity name. You can say me gusta pintar, me encanta cocinar or suelo practicar música por la tarde.

When you talk about what you do regularly, expressions like en mi tiempo libre, los fines de semana, por la tarde and de vez en cuando are useful. To say you share the activity with others, you can use con mis amigos, con mi familia or en clase.

If you want to explain your level or your relation to a hobby, you can say estoy aprendiendo, practico mucho, lo hago por diversión or lo hago desde hace tiempo. To ask someone, phrases like ¿Qué te gusta hacer?, ¿Tienes alguna afición? and ¿Qué practicas normalmente? work well. These expressions are useful to talk about any hobby, from Music to drawing, cooking or DIY.

Expressions for talking about hobbies in Spanish

Usage	Explanation
Personal taste	Use me gusta to say you generally like an activity.
Strong preference	Use me encanta when you really like something.
Occasional hobby	Use suelo with a verb to talk about something you do often.
Learned ability	Use sé with a verb to say you know how to do an activity.
Ongoing action	Use estoy with gerund to talk about what you are doing right now.
Free time	Use en mi tiempo libre to talk about leisure activities.
Beginning of hobby	Use empecé a to say when you started an activity.
Frequency	Use a veces to indicate something happens from time to time.
Opinion about an activity	Use es divertido to positively rate a hobby.
Contrast of tastes	Use pero to compare two ideas and show difference.