Inklingo

How to Say "diversion" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pasatiempo

pa-sah-tee-ehm-pohpasaˈtjempo

nounA2
Use this word for a hobby or activity done regularly for enjoyment and to take your mind off work.
A child happily painting a picture on a canvas with colorful paints.

Examples

Mi pasatiempo favorito es la fotografía.

My favorite hobby is photography.

Muchos jóvenes tienen los videojuegos como principal pasatiempo.

Many young people have video games as their main pastime.

Buscaba un pasatiempo que no fuera muy caro.

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

A Word Made of Two

This word is a combination of 'pasar' (to pass) and 'tiempo' (time). It's a compound word that literally means 'a way to pass the time'.

Always Masculine

Because the second half of the word is 'tiempo' (which is masculine), 'pasatiempo' is also always masculine. Use 'el' or 'un' with it.

Spelling it as two words

Mistake: “Mi pasa tiempo es leer.”

Correction: Mi pasatiempo es leer. Even though it comes from two words, it is always written as one single word in Spanish.

distracción

nounB1
Choose this term for any activity that is fun and serves as a break from routine or serious matters.

Examples

Mi distracción favorita es la jardinería.

My favorite pastime is gardening.

entretenimiento

en-tre-te-ni-mientoentɾeteˈnjento

nounB1
This word refers to forms of amusement or enjoyment, often provided by media or events, that offer a break from work or seriousness.
A colorful illustration showing a child smiling while flying a large, multi-colored kite high above a sunny, grassy field.

Examples

La televisión ofrece una gran variedad de entretenimiento para la noche.

Television offers a great variety of entertainment for the evening.

La industria del entretenimiento genera miles de millones de dólares al año.

The entertainment industry generates billions of dollars a year.

Buscamos un poco de entretenimiento después de un día tan largo.

We are looking for a little amusement after such a long day.

Gender Check: Masculine Noun

Remember that 'entretenimiento' is a masculine noun, so you must always use the masculine article 'el' (el entretenimiento) or the plural 'los' (los entretenimientos).

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: “Me gusta entretener.”

Correction: Me gusta el entretenimiento. (The mistake uses the verb 'to entertain' instead of the noun 'entertainment'.)

desvío

nounB1
Use this word specifically when referring to a detour or a change in the usual route or course of travel due to an obstruction.

Examples

Tuvimos que tomar un desvío por las obras en la carretera.

We had to take a detour because of the roadwork.

Activity vs. Detour

Learners often confuse the Spanish words for enjoyable activities (pasatiempo, distracción, entretenimiento) with the word for a physical detour (desvío). Remember that 'desvío' specifically means a change in route or path, while the others refer to leisure and fun.

Related Translations

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