Deciding Whether to Continue a Hobby | Learn German in English

German lesson set in a contemporary Berlin everyday setting: At home, two adults discuss whether a painting class has become too much pressure and consider pausing or practicing casually..

EN → DE / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Deciding Whether to Continue a Hobby to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob ich den Malkurs weitermachen möchte.

ikh bin meer nikht ZIKH-er, ohp ikh dayn MAHL-koors VY-ter-MAH-khen MERKH-teh. I am not sure whether I want to continue the painting class.
B

Verlierst du das Interesse, oder ist die feste Verpflichtung zu viel?

fer-LEERST doo dahs in-teh-RES-seh, OH-der ist dee FES-teh fer-PFLIKH-toong tsoo FEEL? Are you losing interest, or is the fixed commitment too much?
A

Ein bisschen von beidem. Ich male gern, aber der Kurs fühlt sich stressig an.

ayn BIKH-en fon BY-dem. ikh MAH-leh gairn, AH-ber dayr koors FEWLT zikh STRES-sikh ahn. A bit of both. I like painting, but the class feels stressful.
B

Vielleicht hat sich das Hobby von etwas Entspannendem zu einer weiteren Verpflichtung verändert.

fee-LYKHT haht zikh dahs HOB-bee fon ET-vahs ent-SHPAN-en-dem tsoo EYE-ner VY-ter-en fer-PFLIKH-toong fer-EN-dert. Maybe the hobby changed from relaxing to another obligation.
A

Ja, es fühlt sich weniger nach Spaß und mehr nach einer weiteren Aufgabe an.

yah, es FEWLT zikh VAY-nih-ger nahkh shpahs oont mayr nahkh EYE-ner VY-ter-en OWF-gah-beh ahn. Yes, it feels less like fun and more like another task.
B

Du könntest stattdessen zu Hause ungezwungen üben.

doo KURN-test shtat-DES-sen tsoo HOW-zeh oong-geh-TSVONG-en OO-ben. You could switch to casual practice at home instead.
A

Dann kann ich den Nutzen behalten, ohne einen festen Zeitplan zu haben.

dahn kahn ikh dehn NOOT-sen beh-HAHL-ten, OH-neh EYE-nen FES-ten TSITE-plahn tsoo HAH-ben. Then I can keep the benefit without the fixed schedule.
B

Hobbys sollten zu deinem Leben passen und nicht nur zu deinem Idealbild.

HOB-bees ZOL-ten tsoo DYE-nem LAY-ben PAS-sen oont nikht noor tsoo DYE-nem ee-deh-AHL-bilt. Hobbies should fit your life, not just your ideal self.
A

Vielleicht würde eine Pause vom Kurs zeigen, ob ich ihn vermisse.

fee-LYKHT VUR-deh EYE-neh POW-zeh fom koors TSY-gen, ohp ikh een fer-MIS-seh. Maybe pausing the class would show whether I miss it.
B

Das ist besser, als plötzlich aufzuhören oder dich zu etwas zu zwingen.

dahs ist BES-ser, ahls PLOOTS-likh OWF-tsoo-HUR-en OH-der dikh tsoo ET-vahs tsoo TSVING-en. That is better than quitting suddenly or forcing yourself.

Word by Word

Ich Ich means “I” here and identifies the speaker in “Ich bin mir nicht sicher”. It is reusable in a statement about your own thoughts or situation, such as “Ich möchte …”.
bin bin means “am” in “Ich bin mir nicht sicher”, expressing the speaker’s state of being unsure. The same form is used in “Ich bin …” statements about the speaker’s current state.
mir mir means “to me” in the expression “Ich bin mir nicht sicher”, where the speaker describes their own certainty. This expression is reusable as “Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob …” when you are uncertain about a decision or fact.
nicht nicht means “not” and negates the certainty expressed in “nicht sicher”. It is commonly placed before the word or phrase being negated, as in “Ich bin nicht …”.
sicher sicher means “sure” in “nicht sicher”, describing certainty about whether to continue the class. “Ich bin mir sicher” is a reusable pattern for saying that you are certain, while “Ich bin mir nicht sicher” expresses uncertainty.
ob ob introduces the question of whether the speaker wants to continue the class in “ob ich den Malkurs weitermachen möchte”. It is useful for indirect yes-or-no questions, followed here by the subject and the rest of the clause.
den den means “the” in “den Malkurs” and marks the specific painting class as the object of “weitermachen”. It is reusable before a specific masculine noun in an expression such as “den Kurs …”.
Malkurs Malkurs means “painting class” in “den Malkurs”. It names the class that the speaker is considering continuing, and it can be used with verbs such as “besuchen” or “weitermachen”.
weitermachen weitermachen means “continue” in “den Malkurs weitermachen”, referring to continuing with the class. It is a reusable verb for continuing an activity or plan, often followed by the activity being continued.
möchte möchte means “would like to” in “weitermachen möchte”, expressing the speaker’s desire or intention. It is reusable with an infinitive, as in “Ich möchte …” followed by an activity.
Verlierst Verlierst means “are losing” in “Verlierst du das Interesse?”, asking whether the listener’s interest is declining. The form is used in a direct question with “du” and an object such as “das Interesse”.
du du means “you” when one person is addressed directly, as in “Verlierst du das Interesse?”. It is reusable for informal questions or statements addressed to one person.
das das means “the” in “das Interesse”, referring to the listener’s interest in the class. The supplied form also appears capitalized as “Das” at the start of “Das ist besser”, where it means “that” and refers to the suggested pause.
Interesse Interesse means “interest” in “das Interesse”, referring to motivation or attention toward the class. A useful pattern is “das Interesse verlieren” when someone becomes less interested in an activity.
oder oder means “or” and presents the second possible explanation in “Verlierst du das Interesse, oder ist die feste Verpflichtung zu viel?”. It connects alternatives in questions and statements.
ist ist means “is” in “ist die feste Verpflichtung zu viel?”, describing the commitment as excessive. It is reusable in statements or questions that identify a state or quality.
die die means “the” in “die feste Verpflichtung”, referring to the specific commitment created by the class. It is reusable before a specific feminine noun such as “Verpflichtung”.
feste feste means “fixed” in “die feste Verpflichtung”, emphasizing that the commitment is set rather than flexible. It is reusable before a noun when describing something arranged or held in a fixed way.
Verpflichtung Verpflichtung means “commitment” or “obligation” here, referring to the regular responsibility connected with the class. It is useful for describing something you feel committed to doing, especially in “eine feste Verpflichtung”.
zu zu means “too” as part of the expression “zu viel”, meaning that the fixed commitment exceeds what feels manageable. In this expression, “zu” comes directly before the amount or quality that is excessive.
viel viel means “much” in “zu viel”, together expressing “too much”. The pattern “zu viel” is reusable when an amount or responsibility feels excessive.
Ein Ein means “a” in “Ein bisschen von beidem”, introducing a small amount. It is reusable in the expression “ein bisschen” when describing a limited amount.
bisschen bisschen means “bit” or “little” in “ein bisschen”, so “Ein bisschen von beidem” means a little of both. The common pattern “ein bisschen von …” describes a small amount taken from something.
von von means “of” in “von beidem”, linking the small amount to both of the explanations just mentioned. It is reusable in the pattern “ein bisschen von …” when referring to part of something.
beidem beidem means “both” in “von beidem”, referring to the two possible reasons: losing interest and finding the commitment too much. It is useful after “von” when referring to two previously mentioned things together.
male male means “paint” in “Ich male gern”, describing the activity the speaker enjoys. It is reusable with an object or activity being painted, or in “Ich male gern” to say that you like painting.
gern gern means “gladly” or “like to” in “Ich male gern”, showing that the speaker enjoys painting. It is commonly placed after the verb to express liking an activity, as in “Ich lese gern” or “Ich koche gern”.
aber aber means “but” and contrasts enjoying painting with finding the class stressful. It is reusable to connect two statements that do not fully agree or that present an opposing point.
der der means “the” in “der Kurs”, referring to the specific class under discussion. It is reusable before a specific masculine noun such as “Kurs”.
Kurs Kurs means “class” or “course” here, referring to the painting class as an organized activity. It can be reused with expressions such as “der Kurs fühlt sich … an” or “einen Kurs besuchen”.
fühlt fühlt means “feels” as part of “fühlt sich stressig an”, describing how the course seems to the speaker. The full pattern “sich … anfühlen” is reusable for describing how an experience feels.
sich sich is part of “fühlt sich stressig an” and connects the feeling back to “der Kurs”. Together with “fühlt” and “an”, it forms the pattern “sich … anfühlen” for describing an experience or situation.
stressig stressig means “stressful” in “fühlt sich stressig an”, describing the class as creating pressure rather than relaxation. It can be used after “sich … anfühlen” to describe a stressful experience.
an an completes the expression “fühlt sich stressig an”, which means “feels stressful”. With “fühlt” and “sich”, it belongs to the separable expression “sich … anfühlen”; it should not be interpreted alone as “at” here.
Vielleicht Vielleicht means “maybe” and introduces a possible explanation in “Vielleicht hat sich das Hobby … verändert”. It is useful at the beginning of a suggestion or uncertain idea.
hat hat is the auxiliary form in “hat sich das Hobby … verändert”, describing a change that has taken place. It is reusable with a past participle to describe a completed change or event.
Hobby Hobby means “hobby”, referring to the painting activity as a leisure interest. It is reusable when discussing an activity done for enjoyment outside required work or duties.
etwas etwas means “something” in “etwas Entspannendem”, referring generally to a relaxing thing or activity without naming it. It is useful before a descriptive form when the exact thing is unspecified.
Entspannendem Entspannendem means “relaxing” in “etwas Entspannendem”, describing the former character of the hobby. It is used here as a descriptive form after “etwas”, and the phrase means “something relaxing”.
einer einer means “a” in “zu einer weiteren Verpflichtung”, introducing the additional obligation that the hobby has become. It is reusable in the pattern “zu einer …” when describing a change into a feminine noun.
weiteren weiteren means “another” or “additional” in “einer weiteren Verpflichtung”, emphasizing that the hobby has become one more obligation. It is reusable before a noun when adding something to an existing set of duties or problems.
verändert verändert means “changed” in “hat sich das Hobby … verändert”, describing the hobby’s shift from relaxing to obligatory. It is reusable with “sich verändern” when something develops into a different state.
Ja Ja means “yes” and confirms the previous speaker’s interpretation in “Ja, es fühlt sich … an”. It is reusable at the beginning of an answer that agrees with a question or statement.
es es means “it” in “es fühlt sich weniger nach Spaß … an”, referring back to the hobby or class as the thing being evaluated. It is reusable as a subject when the context already makes the thing clear.
weniger weniger means “less” in “weniger nach Spaß”, showing that the activity feels less like fun. It is reusable in comparisons that describe a reduced amount or degree.
nach nach means “like” in the expression “sich weniger nach Spaß anfühlen”, describing what something feels like. The useful pattern is “sich nach etwas anfühlen”, where “nach” introduces the quality or experience it resembles.
Spaß Spaß means “fun” in “nach Spaß”, referring to the enjoyable character the hobby used to have. It is reusable in expressions about enjoying an activity, such as “Spaß haben”.
und und means “and” and links the two sides of the comparison in “weniger nach Spaß und mehr nach einer weiteren Aufgabe”. It is reusable to join related words, phrases, or clauses.
mehr mehr means “more” in “mehr nach einer weiteren Aufgabe”, showing that the activity now feels more like a task. It is reusable in comparisons that describe an increased amount or degree.
Aufgabe Aufgabe means “task” in “einer weiteren Aufgabe”, presenting the hobby as an additional duty. It is reusable for a piece of work or responsibility that needs to be completed.
könntest könntest means “could” in “Du könntest stattdessen …”, offering a possible alternative rather than giving a firm instruction. It is reusable with an infinitive to make a suggestion to one person.
stattdessen stattdessen means “instead” and introduces the alternative of practicing at home rather than attending the class. It is reusable when replacing one action or option with another.
Hause Hause means “home” in the fixed expression “zu Hause”, meaning at home. The expression “zu Hause” is reusable when describing where an activity takes place.
ungezwungen ungezwungen means “casually” or “without pressure” in “ungezwungen üben”, describing practice that is not tied to a demanding commitment. It is useful for describing relaxed, informal activity.
üben üben means “practice” in “zu Hause ungezwungen üben”, referring to painting without the class schedule. It is reusable with the skill or activity being practiced, as in “Deutsch üben”.
Dann Dann means “then” and introduces the result of choosing casual practice in “Dann kann ich den Nutzen behalten”. It is reusable to connect a condition or decision with its consequence.
kann kann means “can” in “kann ich den Nutzen behalten”, expressing the possibility of keeping the benefit. It is reusable with an infinitive to describe what someone is able or permitted to do.
Nutzen Nutzen means “benefit” in “den Nutzen behalten”, referring to the positive value the speaker gets from the hobby. It is reusable for the advantage or useful result of an activity or decision.
behalten behalten means “keep” in “den Nutzen behalten”, meaning to continue having the benefit. It is reusable with an object for something that remains in someone’s possession or experience.
ohne ohne means “without” in “ohne einen festen Zeitplan zu haben”, introducing what is absent from the new arrangement. It is reusable before a noun phrase or with “zu” plus an infinitive when describing an action done without something.
einen einen means “a” in “einen festen Zeitplan”, introducing the fixed schedule that the speaker wants to avoid. It is reusable before a masculine noun when that noun is the object of the expression.
festen festen means “fixed” in “einen festen Zeitplan”, describing a schedule that is set in advance. It is reusable before a noun when emphasizing that an arrangement is not flexible.
Zeitplan Zeitplan means “schedule” in “einen festen Zeitplan”, referring to the regular timetable associated with the class. It is reusable for an organized plan of times and activities.
haben haben means “have” in “ohne einen festen Zeitplan zu haben”, expressing possession or being subject to a schedule. Here it follows “ohne” as an infinitive, and the pattern is reusable for describing what someone can avoid having.
Hobbys Hobbys means “hobbies” in “Hobbys sollten zu deinem Leben passen”, referring to leisure activities in general. It is reusable when making a general statement about more than one hobby.
sollten sollten means “should” in “Hobbys sollten zu deinem Leben passen”, expressing advice or a general expectation. It is reusable with an infinitive to say what would be appropriate or advisable.
deinem deinem means “your” in “zu deinem Leben”, referring to the listener’s life. It is reusable before a noun when describing something belonging or relating to one person addressed informally.
Leben Leben means “life” in “zu deinem Leben passen”, referring to the listener’s actual circumstances and routine. The pattern “zu … passen” is reusable for saying that something suits a person’s life or situation.
passen passen means “fit” or “suit” in “zu deinem Leben passen”, meaning that a hobby should be compatible with the listener’s life. It is commonly used with “zu” and the person or situation that something suits.
nur nur means “only” or “just” in “nicht nur zu deinem Idealbild”, limiting the idea to an ideal self-image. It is reusable in contrasts with “nicht nur …, sondern …” or when narrowing the scope of a statement.
Idealbild Idealbild means “ideal self-image” in “zu deinem Idealbild”, referring to the person the listener imagines they should be. It is useful when discussing an ideal picture of oneself rather than one’s actual circumstances.
würde würde means “would” in “eine Pause vom Kurs zeigen würde”, presenting a possible result of taking a pause. It is reusable with an infinitive to describe a hypothetical consequence or suggestion.
eine eine means “a” in “eine Pause vom Kurs”, introducing one possible break from the class. It is reusable before a feminine noun when presenting one unspecified option or thing.
Pause Pause means “pause” or “break” in “eine Pause vom Kurs”, referring to temporarily stopping attendance rather than ending the hobby immediately. It is reusable for a temporary interruption of an activity.
vom vom means “from the” in “eine Pause vom Kurs”; it is the contracted form of “von dem”. It is reusable before a masculine or neuter noun when describing separation or a break from that thing.
zeigen zeigen means “show” in “würde eine Pause vom Kurs zeigen”, meaning that the pause could reveal whether the speaker misses the class. It is reusable with an object or clause describing what becomes clear.
ihn ihn means “it” in “ob ich ihn vermisse”, referring back to “der Kurs”. It is reusable as the object pronoun for a previously mentioned masculine noun.
vermisse vermisse means “miss” in “ob ich ihn vermisse”, expressing that the speaker might feel the absence of the course. It is reusable with a person or thing that someone feels they want back or lack.
besser besser means “better” in “Das ist besser als …”, evaluating the suggested pause more positively than the alternatives. It is reusable in comparisons introduced by “besser als”.
als als means “than” in “besser als plötzlich aufzuhören”, introducing the alternatives used for comparison. It is reusable after comparative forms such as “besser” to compare actions or situations.
plötzlich plötzlich means “suddenly” in “plötzlich aufzuhören”, describing quitting without a gradual decision or pause. It is reusable to describe an action that happens unexpectedly or all at once.
aufzuhören aufzuhören means “to quit” or “to stop” in “plötzlich aufzuhören”, referring to ending the class or activity. It is the infinitive form used after the comparison and can be reused when discussing stopping an activity.
dich dich means “yourself” in “dich zu etwas zu zwingen”, referring to the person being forced. The reusable pattern “sich zu etwas zwingen” describes making oneself do something against one’s wishes.
zwingen zwingen means “force” in “dich zu etwas zu zwingen”, meaning to make yourself do something unwillingly. It is reusable in the pattern “jemanden zu etwas zwingen” or, as here, “sich zu etwas zwingen”.

Grammar Points

jemanden zu etwas zwingen

dich zu etwas zu zwingen

dikh tsoo ET-vahs tsoo TSVING-en

to force yourself to do something

Nach „zwingen“ steht „zu“ plus Infinitiv. Das Verb „zwingen“ bleibt im Infinitiv am Ende.

German Vocabulary

Aufgabe noun
OWF-gah-beh task

nach einer weiteren Aufgabe

beide pron
BY-deh both beidem

von beidem

entspannend adj
ent-SHPAN-ent relaxing Entspannendem

von etwas Entspannendem

Hobby noun
HOB-bee hobby

das Hobby

Interesse noun
in-teh-RES-seh interest

das Interesse verlieren

malen verb
MAH-len to paint male

Ich male gern

Malkurs noun
MAHL-koors painting class

den Malkurs

sich verändern verb
zikh fer-EN-dern to change hat sich ... verändert

hat sich das Hobby ... verändert

sicher sein phrase
ZIKH-er zine to be sure nicht sicher

Ich bin mir nicht sicher

stressig adj
STRES-sikh stressful

Der Kurs fühlt sich stressig an

Verpflichtung noun
fer-PFLIKH-toong commitment; obligation

die feste Verpflichtung

weitermachen verb
VY-ter-MAH-khen to continue

den Malkurs weitermachen

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to continue

Show Answerweitermachen

to paint

Show Answermale

both

Show Answerbeidem

stressful

Show Answerstressig