xìngqù: 兴趣 - Interest, Hobby

• Keywords: 兴趣, xìngqù, Chinese for hobby, interest in Chinese, how to say hobby in Chinese, 对…感兴趣, what are your hobbies Chinese, Chinese vocabulary, learn Chinese, HSK 3
• Summary: Learn how to talk about your hobbies and interests in Chinese with the word 兴趣 (xìngqù). This comprehensive guide covers its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage, including the crucial pattern “对…感兴趣 (duì…gǎn xìngqù)”. Master this essential HSK 3 vocabulary word to improve your daily conversations and understand Chinese social etiquette.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xìngqù
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: An interest, hobby, or something one enjoys doing.
• In a Nutshell: 兴趣 (xìngqù) is the fundamental word you need to discuss hobbies and interests. It refers to a sustained inclination or pleasure you get from an activity, whether it's reading, hiking, or playing video games. Think of it as the “thing” that catches and holds your attention for fun and leisure.

• 兴 (xìng): This character means “excitement,” “to flourish,” or “interest.” Its traditional form (興) depicted four hands lifting up an object together, suggesting a common, uplifting, and exciting activity. It brings the feeling of enthusiasm to the word.
• 趣 (qù): This character means “fun,” “interest,” or “to delight in.” It's composed of the radical `走 (zǒu)` meaning “to run/walk” and `取 (qǔ)` meaning “to take.” The combined image suggests actively running towards something to grab it because it's fun or appealing.

Together, 兴趣 (xìngqù) literally translates to “exciting pursuit.” It combines the feeling of enthusiastic flourishing (兴) with the active, fun-seeking pursuit (趣), perfectly capturing the modern concept of a hobby or interest.

In Chinese culture, discussing one's 兴趣 (xìngqù) is a primary and “safe” way to build rapport and get to know someone, much like in the West. It's a go-to icebreaker among new friends, classmates, and even in casual business settings. However, there's a slight difference in emphasis compared to the Western concept of “passion.” While a Westerner might say their “passion” is coding and also their job, 兴趣 (xìngqù) in China is more often associated with leisure and personal enrichment outside of work or school. It's what you do to relax, develop skills, or simply have fun. This is especially evident in parenting and education. There is a huge emphasis on 培养孩子的兴趣 (péiyǎng háizi de xìngqù) - “cultivating a child's interests.” Parents invest heavily in after-school classes for music, art, sports, or calligraphy. This is not just for fun; it's part of a broader concept of `素质教育 (sùzhì jiàoyù)` or “quality-focused education,” which aims to develop a well-rounded individual, not just a student who excels at exams. Asking about someone's 兴趣 is therefore not just small talk; it can also be a way of understanding their background, upbringing, and what they value in life.

兴趣 (xìngqù) is extremely common in daily conversation. Here are the main ways you'll encounter and use it:

• As a Noun (an interest/hobby): This is its most direct use. You can “have” an interest (`有兴趣`) or talk about your interests (`我的兴趣是…`).
• In the structure “对…感兴趣 (duì…gǎn xìngqù)”: This is a crucial pattern meaning “to be interested in…”. It's the most common way to express that you find something interesting. `对 (duì)` means “towards,” and `感 (gǎn)` means “to feel,” so you are literally “feeling interest towards” something.
• Losing Interest: To say you are not interested, you can say `没兴趣 (méi xìngqù)` or `不感兴趣 (bù gǎn xìngqù)`.

The term is generally neutral and can be used in both formal (e.g., a job interview) and informal (e.g., chatting with friends) situations.

• Example 1:
  • 你最大的兴趣是什么？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zuì dà de xìngqù shì shénme?
  • English: What is your biggest interest?
  • Analysis: A classic icebreaker question. `最大的 (zuì dà de)` means “biggest” or “greatest,” used here to ask about one's main hobby.
• Example 2:
  • 我对中国历史很感兴趣。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ duì Zhōngguó lìshǐ hěn gǎn xìngqù.
  • English: I am very interested in Chinese history.
  • Analysis: This showcases the essential pattern `对 [something] 感兴趣 (duì…gǎn xìngqù)`. This structure is fundamental for expressing interest in a topic.
• Example 3:
  • 唱歌是我的兴趣爱好之一。
  • Pinyin: Chànggē shì wǒ de xìngqù àihào zhī yī.
  • English: Singing is one of my hobbies.
  • Analysis: `兴趣爱好 (xìngqù àihào)` is a common compound word that reinforces the meaning of “hobbies and interests.” `之一 (zhī yī)` means “one of.”
• Example 4:
  • 他好像对我们的计划完全没有兴趣。
  • Pinyin: Tā hǎoxiàng duì wǒmen de jìhuà wánquán méiyǒu xìngqù.
  • English: It seems like he has absolutely no interest in our plan.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the negative form, `没有兴趣 (méiyǒu xìngqù)`, meaning “to not have interest.” `完全 (wánquán)` means “completely.”
• Example 5:
  • 父母应该从小培养孩子的兴趣。
  • Pinyin: Fùmǔ yīnggāi cóngxiǎo péiyǎng háizi de xìngqù.
  • English: Parents should cultivate their children's interests from a young age.
  • Analysis: `培养兴趣 (péiyǎng xìngqù)` is a set phrase for “to cultivate/develop an interest.” This reflects the cultural value placed on developing hobbies.
• Example 6:
  • 如果你对这个职位有兴趣，请把简历发给我们。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ duì zhège zhíwèi yǒu xìngqù, qǐng bǎ jiǎnlì fā gěi wǒmen.
  • English: If you are interested in this position, please send your resume to us.
  • Analysis: Shows a more formal, professional use of `有兴趣 (yǒu xìngqù)`. Notice it can be used with `对 (duì)` as well: `对…有兴趣`.
• Example 7:
  • 我们因为共同的兴趣而成为了好朋友。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen yīnwèi gòngtóng de xìngqù ér chéngwéi le hǎo péngyǒu.
  • English: We became good friends because of our shared interests.
  • Analysis: `共同的兴趣 (gòngtóng de xìngqù)` means “shared/common interests,” a frequent reason for friendship.
• Example 8:
  • 我以前很喜欢画画，但现在失去兴趣了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yǐqián hěn xǐhuān huàhuà, dàn xiànzài shīqù xìngqù le.
  • English: I used to like drawing a lot, but now I've lost interest.
  • Analysis: `失去兴趣 (shīqù xìngqù)` is a slightly more formal way to say “to lose interest.” The `了 (le)` at the end indicates a change of state.
• Example 9:
  • 我只是出于兴趣问一下，你这个相机多少钱？
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhǐshì chūyú xìngqù wèn yīxià, nǐ zhège xiàngjī duōshǎo qián?
  • English: I'm just asking out of interest, how much is your camera?
  • Analysis: `出于兴趣 (chūyú xìngqù)` is a useful phrase meaning “out of interest” or “out of curiosity.”
• Example 10:
  • 他把兴趣发展成了自己的事业。
  • Pinyin: Tā bǎ xìngqù fāzhǎn chéngle zìjǐ de shìyè.
  • English: He developed his interest into his career.
  • Analysis: This shows how `兴趣` can evolve. The `把 (bǎ)` structure is used to show how he acted upon his interest (`兴趣`) and changed it into a career (`事业`).

A major pitfall for learners is confusing the noun 兴趣 (xìngqù) with the adjective 有趣 (yǒuqù).

• 兴趣 (xìngqù) is a noun meaning “an interest.” You have an interest in something.
• 有趣 (yǒuqù) is an adjective meaning “interesting.” Something is interesting.

Think of it like the difference between “interest” and “interesting” in English.

• Incorrect: 这个故事很兴趣。(Zhège gùshi hěn xìngqù.) → This story is very interest.
• Correct: 这个故事很有趣。(Zhège gùshi hěn yǒuqù.) → This story is very interesting.
• Correct: 我对这个故事有兴趣。(Wǒ duì zhège gùshi yǒu xìngqù.) → I have an interest in this story.

Another point is the subtle difference between `有兴趣 (yǒu xìngqù)` and `感兴趣 (gǎn xìngqù)`. Both mean “to be interested,” and are often interchangeable in the `对…` pattern. `有兴趣` means “to have interest” (stative), while `感兴趣` means “to feel interest” (slightly more active). For beginners, they can be treated as near-synonyms.

• 爱好 (àihào) - Hobby. Very similar to `兴趣` and often used together in the compound `兴趣爱好`. `爱好` focuses more on the specific activity itself.
• 有趣 (yǒuqù) - Adjective meaning “interesting, fun.” It describes the quality of a thing, whereas `兴趣` is the feeling an observer has towards it.
• 无聊 (wúliáo) - Antonym, adjective meaning “boring, bored.” The opposite of `有趣`.
• 热情 (rèqíng) - Enthusiasm, passion. A much stronger, more intense feeling than `兴趣`.
• 好奇 (hàoqí) - Curious (adjective); curiosity (noun). Refers to a temporary desire to know something, while `兴趣` implies a more sustained engagement.
• 培养 (péiyǎng) - To cultivate, nurture, foster. Commonly used with `兴趣` as in `培养兴趣` (to develop an interest).
• 专业 (zhuānyè) - Academic major, profession. This is often what a person studies or does for work, and is sometimes contrasted with their `兴趣`.