Inklingo

pasatiempo

pa-sah-tee-ehm-poh/pasaˈtjempo/

pasatiempo means hobby in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

hobby, pastime

Also: diversion
NounmA2
A child happily painting a picture on a canvas with colorful paints.

📝 In Action

Mi pasatiempo favorito es la fotografía.

A1

My favorite hobby is photography.

Muchos jóvenes tienen los videojuegos como principal pasatiempo.

A2

Many young people have video games as their main pastime.

Buscaba un pasatiempo que no fuera muy caro.

B1

I was looking for a hobby that wasn't very expensive.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • trabajo (work)
  • obligación (obligation)

Common Collocations

  • pasatiempo favoritofavorite hobby
  • tener un pasatiempoto have a hobby
  • buscar un pasatiempoto look for a hobby

puzzle, game

NounmB1
A wooden jigsaw puzzle with several pieces connected and one piece being placed into a gap.

📝 In Action

Compré una revista de pasatiempos para el viaje.

B1

I bought a puzzle magazine for the trip.

Este pasatiempo de lógica es casi imposible de resolver.

B2

This logic puzzle is almost impossible to solve.

En la última página del periódico siempre hay un pasatiempo.

A2

There is always a puzzle on the last page of the newspaper.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • crucigrama (crossword)
  • acertijo (riddle/puzzle)

Common Collocations

  • revista de pasatiempospuzzle magazine
  • resolver un pasatiempoto solve a puzzle

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "pasatiempo" in Spanish:

diversiongamehobbypastimepuzzle

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: pasatiempo

Question 1 of 3

Which of these is the correct plural form of 'pasatiempo'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
pasar(to pass)Verb
tiempo(time)Noun
pasatiempista(hobbyist)Noun
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

Formed in Spanish by combining the verb 'pasar' (from Latin 'passare', to step/pass) and the noun 'tiempo' (from Latin 'tempus', time).

First recorded: 16th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: passatempoItalian: passatempoFrench: passe-temps

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'hobby' instead of 'pasatiempo'?

Yes, 'hobby' is very common in spoken Spanish, but using 'pasatiempo' sounds more natural and correct in formal situations or writing.

Is a jigsaw puzzle a 'pasatiempo'?

Technically yes, it's a way to pass time, but Spanish speakers usually call a physical jigsaw puzzle a 'rompecabezas' (head-breaker).

Does it ever mean 'the passing of time'?

No, for the literal passage of time, we use the phrase 'el paso del tiempo'.