How to Say "hobbyist" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “hobbyist” is “amateur” — use 'amateur' when describing someone who does an activity purely for enjoyment, emphasizing that it's not their profession..
amateur
/ah-mah-TEHR//amaˈteuɾ/
Examples
Él es un fotógrafo amateur muy talentoso.
He is a very talented amateur photographer.
Jugamos en una liga de fútbol amateur los domingos.
We play in an amateur soccer league on Sundays.
La película tiene un estilo amateur que la hace parecer muy real.
The movie has an amateur style that makes it seem very real.
A Word for Everyone
Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'amateur' usually stays the same whether you are talking about a man or a woman (un actor amateur / una actriz amateur).
The Plural Trick
Because this is a borrowed word, people often say 'amateurs' for the plural, even though standard Spanish rules would usually add '-es'.
The 'Fan' Confusion
Mistake: “Using 'amateur' to mean you just like something.”
Correction: Use 'aficionado' if you are a fan of a team, but use 'amateur' if you are the one playing the sport without getting paid.
coleccionista
/ko-lek-syo-nees-tah//koleksjoˈnista/
Examples
Mi abuelo es un gran coleccionista de monedas antiguas.
My grandfather is a big collector of old coins.
Como coleccionista, ella siempre busca ediciones raras de libros.
As a collector, she is always looking for rare editions of books.
La exposición atrajo a coleccionistas de arte de todo el mundo.
The exhibition attracted art collectors from all over the world.
One Ending for Everyone
The word ends in '-ista' whether you are talking about a man or a woman. It never changes to 'coleccionisto'.
Use 'de' to Specify
To say what someone collects, use the word 'de' (of) followed by the plural form of the object, like 'coleccionista de relojes'.
The 'O' Trap
Mistake: “El coleccionisto es mi tío.”
Correction: El coleccionista es mi tío. Words ending in -ista are neutral; the article 'el' or 'la' tells us the person's gender.
Amateur vs. Coleccionista
Related Translations
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