B1 Hobbies & Free Time Activities: Verbs, People & Equipment — B1 English vocabulary lesson by Langcom

B1 Hobbies & Free Time Activities: Verbs, People & Equipment

Raúl Maguiña

Fundador de Langcom | Examinador de Cambridge y del SIELE

septiembre 26, 2026

B1📚 Vocabulario⏱️ 4 minutos de lectura📅 Actualizado en septiembre de 2026
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To talk about hobbies and free time activities in English, you often use the verbs do, play, o go, depending on the type of activity. For example, you play games like chess, go with activities ending in -ing like cycling o camping, y do for general activities or those not fitting play o go, como por ejemplo do volunteering o do photography. Each hobby also has specific nouns for the person who does it (e.g., a cyclist) and the equipment they use (e.g., a bike). Understanding these verbs and related vocabulary will help you describe your free time confidently.

What Are Hobbies and Free Time Activities?

Hobbies are activities you enjoy doing in your free time. They are things you do for pleasure, not for work or school. Hobbies help you relax, learn new skills, and meet new people.

Many people have hobbies. They can be active, creative, or quiet activities.

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Choosing the Right Verb: Do, Play, or Go?

In English, we use different verbs with hobbies. The most common verbs are do, play, y go.

  • Utilizamos play for:

    • Games with rules, like play chess.
    • Sports with a ball, like play football.
    • Musical instruments, like play the guitar.
  • Utilizamos go for:

    • Activities ending in -ing, especially outdoor activities, like go cycling o go camping.
  • Utilizamos do for:

    • General activities or activities that do not fit play o go.
    • Examples include do photography, do volunteering, o do yoga.

People and Equipment for Your Favorite Hobbies

Each hobby often has a specific name for the person who does it and the equipment they use. Learning these words helps you talk about hobbies in more detail.

  • Para chess:

    • The person is a chess player.
    • You need a board y pieces.
  • Para cycling:

    • The person is a cyclist.
    • You need a bike y un helmet.
  • Para painting:

    • The person is a painter.
    • You need paint y un brush.
  • Para cooking:

    • The person is a cook.
    • You might use a cooker or an oven.
  • Para music:

    • The person is a musician.
    • They play an instrument.
  • Para photography:

    • The person is a photographer.
    • You need a camera.
  • Para volunteering:

    • The person is a volunteer.
    • There is no specific equipment, but you give your time.
  • Para camping:

    • The person is a camper.
    • You need a tent and often a backpack.

Why Are Hobbies Important?

Hobbies are very good for you. They help you relax after work or school. They can also help you learn new things and develop new skills.

Having hobbies is a great way to meet people who share your interests and to improve your well-being.

Hobbies: Verbs, People, and Equipment
Hobby Verbo Person Equipment
Chess Play Chess player Board, pieces
Cycling Go Cyclist Bike, helmet
Painting Do Painter Paint, brush
Cooking Do Cook Cooker, oven
Music Play Musician Instrument
Photography Do Photographer Camera
Volunteering Do Volunteer –
Camping Go Camper Tent, backpack

Ejemplos

  • I love to play chess with my grandfather on Sundays.
  • Last summer, we went camping in the mountains.
  • She does photography as a hobby and takes amazing pictures.
  • He is a talented musician; he plays the guitar and the piano.
  • My sister enjoys cooking new recipes every weekend.
  • Many people go cycling to stay fit and explore nature.
  • Doing volunteering can be a very rewarding free time activity.

Práctica

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Errores habituales de los hispanohablantes

Be careful with the verbs do, play, y go:

  • Do not use make for hobbies or sports. For example, say I do sports, no I make sports.

  • Remember to use go with activities ending in -ing. For example, say I go cycling, no I play cycling.

  • When talking about musical instruments, use play the. Por ejemplo, She plays the piano, no She plays piano.

Preguntas más frecuentes

What is a hobby?

A hobby is an activity you enjoy doing regularly in your free time, usually for pleasure and relaxation, not for money. Examples include reading, gardening, o playing music.

How can I talk about my hobbies in English?

You can say My hobby is..., I like to..., I enjoy..., o I'm interested in... Por ejemplo, My hobby is photography o I enjoy cooking.

Are hobbies important for the B1 Preliminary exam?

Yes, talking about hobbies and free time activities is a common topic in the B1 Preliminary Speaking and Writing parts. You might describe your hobbies or discuss their importance.

Can I have more than one hobby?

Absolutely! Many people have several hobbies. You can enjoy different activities at different times or seasons.

Lecciones relacionadas

Sobre el autor: Raúl Maguiña

Raúl Maguiña es el director de la Asociación Educativa Langcom, un centro autorizado de preparación para el examen Cambridge English en tu país. Con más de una década de experiencia en la enseñanza de idiomas y la certificación internacional, ha ayudado a miles de estudiantes, profesores e instituciones educativas de 25 países a conseguir las certificaciones de inglés de Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL y Michigan.

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