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If you’re learning Spanish for beginners, you’ll eventually want to talk about the things you actually enjoy—your hobbies (pasatiempos), favorite pastimes, and how you spend your weekends. After all, what’s the point of learning a language if you can’t use it to talk about the fun stuff?
In this post, we’ll go over basic Spanish words for leisure (A1 level) so you can comfortably talk about your favorite activities. Whether you love sports, movies, or just relaxing, this vocabulary will come in handy. Let’s dive in!
As a Spanish learner myself, I’ve learned the hard way that aiming for fluency right away isn’t the best goal when learning a new language. So, if you’re just starting out with Spanish, I highly recommend familiarizing yourself with the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference). It will guide you on what to focus on at each stage of your learning journey. Check out this article to get a clearer idea of what you should learn as a beginner and what’s expected of you along the way.
Basic Spanish Words: Leisure Activities (Actividades de Ocio)
Knowing basic Spanish words for leisure will help you talk about how you spend your free time. Here are some common activities, split into categories to make them easier to remember:
Outdoor Activities – Actividades al Aire Libre- Caminar – To walk
- Nadar – To swim
- Hacer senderismo – To hike
- Ir de picnic – To go on a picnic
- Montar en bicicleta – To ride a bike
- Jugar al fútbol – To play soccer
- Jugar al baloncesto – To play basketball
- Jugar al tenis – To play tennis
- Hacer yoga – To do yoga
- Correr – To run
- Ver una película – To watch a movie
- Ver una serie – To watch a TV series
- Escuchar música – To listen to music
- Ir al teatro – To go to the theater
- Bailar – To dance
- Leer – To read
- Dibujar – To draw
- Cocinar – To cook
- Sacar fotos – To take photos
- Escribir – To write
- Descansar – To rest
- Meditar – To meditate
- Tomar el sol – To sunbathe
- Pasar el rato – To hang out
- Dormir – To sleep
How to Use These Words in Conversations
Practicing new words in real conversations is the best way to make them stick. If you’re learning Spanish for beginners, try using these phrases to talk about what you love to do in your free time:
- Me gusta nadar los fines de semana.
(I like to swim on weekends.) - ¿Te gusta ver películas de acción?
(Do you like watching action movies?) - Prefiero leer antes de dormir.
(I prefer to read before sleeping.) - Nos encanta jugar al fútbol los sábados.
(We love playing soccer on Saturdays.) - Voy al teatro cuando hay una obra interesante.
(I go to the theater when there’s an interesting play.)
Try swapping in different activities to personalize your sentences. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel!
Try Mondly for Free Now!
Want to improve your Spanish as a beginner? I personally recommend Mondly, as it helped me tremendously when I was just starting out. With its interactive lessons and real-world conversations, it’s an excellent tool for expanding your vocabulary and building confidence in Spanish. Try Mondly now for free!
A Quick Practice Activity
Here’s a simple exercise to help reinforce what you just learned. Fill in the blanks using the correct Spanish words:
- Me gusta _______ en la playa. (to swim)
- Prefiero _______ en el parque. (to walk)
- En mi tiempo libre, me encanta _______ fotos. (to take)
- Los domingos, me gusta _______ películas. (to watch)
- Después de trabajar, necesito _______ un poco. (to rest)
Answers can be found at the end of this article.
Wrap-Up: Learning Spanish for Beginners
Leisure activities are a great way to learn basic Spanish words while talking about things that matter to you. Whether you’re chatting with friends, making travel plans, or just thinking out loud, these words will help you express yourself with confidence.
Now, take a moment to think—how do you usually spend your free time? Try saying it in Spanish! The more you use these words in daily life, the easier they’ll stick.
Answers: nadar, caminar, sacar, ver, descansar