A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "What do you do for fun" in French
Ask someone about their hobbies and leisure activities in a friendly, engaging way.
Qu'est-ce que tu fais pour t'amuser ?
kes-kes-tew-FEH-poo-tah-mew-ZAYcasual
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when you're getting to know someone, perhaps on a first date or when chatting with a new acquaintance. It's a great way to discover shared interests beyond work or studies.
Alternatives
- Tu fais quoi de beau ?More informal, implies 'what nice things are you up to?'
- Quels sont tes loisirs ?Slightly more formal, directly asks about your 'hobbies'.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'tu' like 'too'
The French 'tu' is a short, sharp sound, closer to the 'tew' in 'few'.
Forgetting the liaison
In 'Qu'est-ce que tu fais', the 's' in 'est' links to 'ce', sounding like 'ess-kuh'.
A small cultural note
French culture often values intellectual pursuits and cultural activities, so don't be surprised if people mention museums, reading, or cinema as their fun.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
How to ask someone what they do for fun in French?
The most common way is 'Qu'est-ce que tu fais pour t'amuser ?'. This is a friendly way to inquire about their hobbies.
Is 'Qu'est-ce que tu fais pour t'amuser ?' casual or formal?
This phrase uses 'tu', making it casual and best for friends or people you're dating. Use 'vous' for more formal situations.
What's a simpler way to ask about fun activities?
You can try 'Tu fais quoi de beau ?', which is a very common, informal way to ask what someone is up to.
