Deciding Whether to Continue a Hobby | Learn Spanish in English

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

EN → ES / Level: B1

About This Lesson

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

Dialogue

A

No estoy seguro de querer continuar con la clase de pintura.

no es-TOY seh-GOO-roh deh keh-REHR kon-tee-NOO-ar kon lah KLAH-seh deh peen-TOO-rah I am not sure whether I want to continue the painting class.
B

¿Estás perdiendo interés o te resulta demasiado tener un compromiso fijo?

es-TAS pehr-dee-EN-doh een-teh-REHS oh teh reh-SOOL-tah deh-mah-SYAH-doh teh-NEHR oon kom-proh-MEE-soh FEE-hoh Are you losing interest, or is the fixed commitment too much?
A

Un poco de las dos cosas. Me gusta pintar, pero la clase me resulta estresante.

oon POH-koh deh lahs dohs KOH-sahs. meh GOOS-tah peen-TAR, PEH-roh lah KLAH-seh meh reh-SOOL-tah eh-streh-SAHN-teh A bit of both. I like painting, but the class feels stressful.
B

Quizás el pasatiempo pasó de ser relajante a ser otra obligación.

kee-SAHS el pah-sah-TYEM-poh pah-SOH deh sehr reh-lah-HAHN-teh ah sehr OH-trah oh-blee-gah-SYON Maybe the hobby changed from relaxing to another obligation.
A

Sí, parece menos divertido y más como otra tarea.

SEE, pah-REH-seh MEH-nohs dee-vehr-TEE-doh ee mahs KOH-moh OH-trah tah-REH-ah Yes, it feels less like fun and more like another task.
B

Podrías pasar a practicar de forma relajada en casa.

poh-DREE-ahs pah-SAR ah prak-tee-KAR deh FOR-mah reh-lah-HAH-dah en KAH-sah You could switch to casual practice at home instead.
A

Entonces puedo conservar ese beneficio sin un horario fijo.

en-TOHN-sehs PWEH-doh kon-sehr-VAR EH-seh beh-neh-FEE-syoh seen oon oh-RAH-ryoh FEE-hoh Then I can keep the benefit without the fixed schedule.
B

Los pasatiempos deben adaptarse a tu vida, no solo a la persona ideal que quieres ser.

lohs pah-sah-TYEM-pohs DEH-ben ah-dahp-TAR-seh ah too VEE-dah, noh SOH-loh ah lah pehr-SOH-nah ee-deh-AHL keh KYEH-rehs sehr Hobbies should fit your life, not just your ideal self.
A

Tal vez tomarme un descanso de la clase demostraría si la echo de menos.

tahl BEHS toh-MAR-meh oon dehs-KAHN-soh deh lah KLAH-seh deh-moh-strah-REE-ah see lah EH-choh deh MEH-nohs Maybe pausing the class would show whether I miss it.
B

Eso es mejor que dejarla de repente o seguir con ella a la fuerza.

EH-soh ehs meh-HOR keh deh-HAR-lah deh reh-PEHN-teh oh seh-GEER kon EH-yah ah lah FWEHR-sah That is better than quitting suddenly or forcing yourself.

Word by Word

No 'No' negates 'estoy seguro', so the speaker says they are not sure. It commonly comes before the verb, as in 'No quiero continuar' in a new example, and is useful when expressing uncertainty.
estoy 'Estoy' means 'I am' or 'I feel' here as part of 'No estoy seguro'. It is the first-person form of 'estar', and 'estar seguro' is a common way to express certainty in a decision or opinion.
seguro 'Seguro' means sure or certain in 'estoy seguro de querer'. The pattern 'estar seguro de + infinitive' expresses certainty about doing something, such as deciding whether to continue a class.
de In 'seguro de querer', 'de' links the expression of certainty to the action the speaker is considering. The reusable pattern is 'estar seguro de + infinitive', used when someone is certain or uncertain about an action.
querer 'Querer' means to want in 'de querer continuar', referring to the desire to continue. After 'de' in this construction, it remains an infinitive; the pattern can be used to discuss wanting to begin, stop, or change an activity.
continuar 'Continuar' means to continue the painting class in 'querer continuar con la clase'. It is an infinitive after 'querer', and 'continuar con + activity' is useful when deciding whether to keep doing something.
con 'Con' means with in 'continuar con la clase', introducing the activity that will be continued. The pattern 'continuar con + noun' is useful for talking about keeping up a class, plan, or activity.
la 'La' is the feminine singular article in 'la clase', meaning 'the'. It comes before the feminine noun 'clase' when referring to a specific class, such as one the speaker already attends.
clase 'Clase' means class in 'la clase de pintura'. It is used with 'de' to specify the subject or type of class, and the phrase can describe a course someone is considering continuing or pausing.
pintura 'Pintura' means painting in 'la clase de pintura', identifying what the class is about. The pattern 'clase de + subject' is useful for naming different kinds of classes in a new example.
Estás 'Estás' means 'you are' or 'you feel' in the question 'Estás perdiendo interés'. It is the second-person singular form of 'estar', used here with an ongoing activity or change in someone's feelings.
perdiendo 'Perdiendo' means losing in 'estás perdiendo interés', describing a gradual decrease in interest. It is the form used after 'estás' for an ongoing process, and the pattern 'estar perdiendo + noun' can describe something that is gradually being lost.
interés 'Interés' means interest in 'perdiendo interés', referring to motivation or attention toward the class. The common pattern 'perder interés en + activity or topic' is useful when someone no longer feels engaged.
o 'O' means or and connects the two possible explanations in the question. It is used to offer alternatives, such as losing interest or finding a commitment too demanding.
te 'Te' means 'to you' in 'te resulta demasiado', marking the person who experiences something as excessive. The pattern 'te resulta + adjective' is useful when asking how a situation feels to someone.
resulta 'Resulta' means feels or turns out in 'te resulta demasiado', presenting the commitment as excessive from the listener's perspective. It is the third-person singular form of 'resultar', and 'resultar + adjective' can describe how a situation affects someone.
demasiado 'Demasiado' means too much or too in 'te resulta demasiado tener un compromiso fijo'. It indicates that having the fixed commitment exceeds what feels manageable, and it can modify an adjective or an action in a new example.
tener 'Tener' means to have in 'tener un compromiso fijo', referring to having a fixed obligation or arrangement. It is an infinitive after 'resulta demasiado', and 'tener + noun' is a common way to describe possessing or carrying a responsibility.
un 'Un' means 'a' or 'an' before 'compromiso' in 'un compromiso fijo'. It introduces one nonspecific commitment, and the pattern 'tener un + noun' is useful for describing one responsibility or arrangement.
compromiso 'Compromiso' means commitment in 'un compromiso fijo', referring to an obligation that requires regular involvement. The phrase 'tener un compromiso' is useful when discussing plans or responsibilities that limit one's time.
fijo 'Fijo' means fixed in 'un compromiso fijo', describing a commitment that is set rather than flexible. It agrees with the masculine noun 'compromiso', and the phrase can be used for a regular arrangement with a set time.
poco 'Poco' means a little or a bit in 'Un poco de las dos cosas'. It indicates a small amount, and 'un poco de + noun' is a common way to express a limited amount of something.
las 'Las' is the feminine plural article in 'las dos cosas', meaning 'the'. It agrees with the feminine plural noun 'cosas' and appears when referring to the two previously mentioned possibilities.
dos 'Dos' means two in 'las dos cosas', referring to both explanations offered in the previous question. It is used before a plural noun when counting exactly two items or ideas.
cosas 'Cosas' means things in 'las dos cosas', referring to the two reasons together. The phrase 'un poco de las dos cosas' is useful when a situation has partly both of two qualities or causes.
Me 'Me' means 'to me' in 'Me gusta pintar', marking the person who experiences the liking. The pattern 'Me gusta + infinitive' is used to say that someone enjoys an activity.
gusta 'Gusta' means pleases in 'Me gusta pintar', which expresses 'I like painting'. It is the third-person singular form of 'gustar' because the activity 'pintar' is what pleases the speaker; the same pattern can express a preference for another activity.
pintar 'Pintar' means to paint in 'Me gusta pintar', naming the activity the speaker enjoys. It is an infinitive after 'gusta', and the pattern 'Me gusta + infinitive' is useful for talking about hobbies.
pero 'Pero' means but and introduces a contrast between liking painting and finding the class stressful. It is useful for joining two ideas that do not completely agree, such as enjoying an activity but disliking its schedule.
estresante 'Estresante' means stressful in 'la clase me resulta estresante', describing the effect the class has on the speaker. The pattern 'resultar + adjective' is useful for describing how an activity or situation feels.
Quizás 'Quizás' means maybe and introduces a possible explanation rather than a certainty. It commonly appears at the beginning of a sentence when suggesting why a hobby or situation has changed.
el 'El' is the masculine singular article in 'el pasatiempo'. It agrees with the masculine noun 'pasatiempo' and identifies the specific hobby being discussed.
pasatiempo 'Pasatiempo' means hobby in 'el pasatiempo'. The phrase 'un pasatiempo' can be used when introducing an activity someone does in free time, while 'el pasatiempo' refers to one already known in the conversation.
pasó 'Pasó' means changed or passed in 'el pasatiempo pasó de ser relajante a ser otra obligación', describing a change from one state to another. It is the third-person singular past form of 'pasar', and the pattern 'pasar de ... a ...' is useful for describing a transition.
ser 'Ser' means to be in 'pasó de ser relajante a ser otra obligación', naming the two states being compared. It is an infinitive after 'de' and 'a', and the pattern 'pasar de ser ... a ser ...' describes a change in character or identity.
relajante 'Relajante' means relaxing in 'ser relajante', describing the hobby's earlier quality. It can follow 'ser' to describe what an activity is like, especially when discussing its effect on a person's free time.
a In 'pasó de ser relajante a ser otra obligación', 'a' introduces the new state reached after the change. The pattern 'de ... a ...' is useful for describing movement or change from one condition to another.
otra 'Otra' means another in 'otra obligación', presenting the obligation as an additional one rather than the original purpose of the hobby. It agrees with the feminine noun 'obligación' and is useful when comparing one responsibility with others.
obligación 'Obligación' means obligation in 'otra obligación', describing something that feels required rather than freely chosen. The phrase can be used when a hobby starts to feel like another responsibility in a busy life.
Sí 'Sí' means yes and confirms the other speaker's interpretation. It is useful as a direct answer when agreeing with a suggestion, question, or description.
parece 'Parece' means seems or looks in 'parece menos divertido', expressing an impression rather than a firm fact. It is the third-person singular form of 'parecer', and 'parecer + adjective' is useful when giving an evaluation.
menos 'Menos' means less in 'menos divertido', showing that the class seems to have less fun than before. The pattern 'menos + adjective' is useful for making a comparison about degree or quality.
divertido 'Divertido' means fun or enjoyable in 'menos divertido', describing the hobby as enjoyable to a lower degree. It is the masculine form used with the understood masculine subject 'pasatiempo', and it can follow 'parecer' in an evaluation.
y 'Y' means and and joins the two sides of the comparison 'menos divertido y más como otra tarea'. It is used to connect related descriptions or alternatives within one sentence.
más 'Más' means more in 'más como otra tarea', increasing the comparison toward the idea of a task. The pattern 'más como + noun' is useful when something feels increasingly similar to another type of thing.
como 'Como' means like or as in 'más como otra tarea', comparing the class to another task. The pattern 'parecer más como + noun' is useful for describing what something feels similar to.
tarea 'Tarea' means task in 'otra tarea', presenting the class as work that must be completed. The phrase 'otra tarea' is useful when a new responsibility feels added to an already busy routine.
Podrías 'Podrías' means you could in 'Podrías pasar a practicar', offering a gentle suggestion. It is the conditional form of 'poder', and it is useful when proposing an option without giving a direct command.
pasar 'Pasar' means to switch in 'pasar a practicar de forma relajada', introducing a change to a different way of doing the activity. The pattern 'pasar a + infinitive' is useful when recommending a new activity or approach.
practicar 'Practicar' means to practice in 'pasar a practicar de forma relajada'. It is an infinitive after 'pasar a', and the pattern 'practicar + activity' is useful when describing informal work on a skill.
forma 'Forma' means way or manner in 'de forma relajada', describing how the practice is done. The pattern 'de forma + adjective' is useful for explaining the manner of an action.
relajada 'Relajada' means relaxed or casual in 'de forma relajada', describing practice without the pressure of a fixed class. It agrees with the feminine noun 'forma', and the phrase can be used when recommending an easygoing way to do something.
en 'En' means in or at in 'en casa', locating the practice at home. The pattern 'en + place' is used to say where an activity happens.
casa 'Casa' means home or house in 'en casa', identifying the place where the speaker could practice. The expression 'en casa' is commonly used for activities done at one's home.
Entonces 'Entonces' means then in 'Entonces puedo conservar', marking the result of the proposed change. It is useful for connecting a decision or condition with its expected consequence.
puedo 'Puedo' means I can in 'puedo conservar ese beneficio', expressing ability or possibility. It is the first-person form of 'poder', and 'poder + infinitive' is a common way to describe what someone is able to do.
conservar 'Conservar' means to keep or retain in 'conservar ese beneficio', referring to keeping the positive effect of the hobby. It is an infinitive after 'puedo', and the pattern 'conservar + noun' is useful when maintaining an advantage or result.
ese 'Ese' means that in 'ese beneficio', referring back to the benefit just mentioned or understood from the discussion. It agrees with the masculine noun 'beneficio' and is useful for pointing to something already identified.
beneficio 'Beneficio' means benefit in 'ese beneficio', referring to the positive value the hobby provides. The phrase 'conservar un beneficio' is useful when keeping an advantage while changing the way something is done.
sin 'Sin' means without in 'sin un horario fijo', showing that the benefit can remain without the fixed schedule. The pattern 'sin + noun' is useful for describing what is absent from an arrangement.
horario 'Horario' means schedule in 'un horario fijo', referring to set times for the class. The phrase 'tener un horario fijo' is useful when discussing regular commitments and time arrangements.
Los 'Los' is the masculine plural article in 'Los pasatiempos'. It agrees with the masculine plural noun 'pasatiempos' and introduces hobbies as a general category.
pasatiempos 'Pasatiempos' means hobbies in 'Los pasatiempos deben adaptarse'. The plural form refers to hobbies generally, and it is useful when discussing how leisure activities should fit into someone's life.
deben 'Deben' means should or must in 'deben adaptarse', expressing an expectation about how hobbies ought to fit into life. It is the third-person plural form of 'deber', and 'deber + infinitive' is useful for giving advice or stating a responsibility.
adaptarse 'Adaptarse' means to adapt or fit themselves in 'deben adaptarse a tu vida', referring to hobbies adjusting to the learner's life. It is a reflexive infinitive after 'deben', and the pattern 'adaptarse a + noun' is useful when describing adjustment to circumstances.
tu 'Tu' means your in 'tu vida', identifying the life that the hobbies should fit. It appears before the noun it describes, and the pattern 'tu + noun' is useful when referring to something belonging or relating to the listener.
vida 'Vida' means life in 'adaptarse a tu vida', referring to the learner's actual circumstances and routine. The phrase 'encajar en tu vida' in a new example has a similar practical purpose, but here the exact expression is 'adaptarse a tu vida'.
solo 'Solo' means only or just in 'no solo a la persona ideal', limiting the second part of the comparison. The pattern 'no solo ..., sino también ...' is commonly used to contrast one consideration with an additional one, although only the first part appears in the dialogue.
persona 'Persona' means person in 'la persona ideal que quieres ser', referring to the imagined ideal version of oneself. The phrase can be used when discussing the kind of person someone hopes to become.
ideal 'Ideal' means ideal in 'la persona ideal', describing the version of oneself someone imagines as perfect or desirable. It follows the noun here, and it can describe a desired model or standard in a personal decision.
que 'Que' links 'la persona ideal' with the description 'quieres ser', meaning the person that you want to be. It functions as a relative connector, and the pattern 'el tipo de persona que + verb' is useful when describing an identity or goal.
quieres 'Quieres' means you want in 'que quieres ser', referring to the identity the listener hopes to have. It is the second-person singular form of 'querer', and 'querer + infinitive' is useful for expressing a desired action or state.
Tal vez 'Tal vez' means maybe and introduces a tentative proposal in 'Tal vez tomarme un descanso'. It is useful at the beginning of a sentence when suggesting a possible step without presenting it as certain.
tomarme 'Tomarme' means to take for myself in 'tomarme un descanso', expressing the speaker's plan to take a break. It combines the infinitive 'tomar' with the attached pronoun 'me'; the pattern 'tomarse un descanso' is useful when someone decides to pause an activity.
descanso 'Descanso' means break or rest in 'tomarme un descanso de la clase'. It is used with 'tomarse' to describe a pause, and the pattern 'tomarse un descanso de + activity' is useful when temporarily stepping away from something.
demostraría 'Demostraría' means would show or would demonstrate in 'demostraría si la echo de menos', describing a possible result of taking a break. It is the conditional form of 'demostrar', and 'demostraría si...' is useful when explaining what an action could reveal.
si 'Si' means whether in 'si la echo de menos', introducing the question of whether the speaker misses the class. It connects an action or test with the uncertainty being examined, and it can also introduce a condition in other contexts.
echo de menos 'Echo de menos' is the complete expression meaning 'I miss it' in 'si la echo de menos'. Here 'echo' supplies the verb form, while 'de menos' completes the fixed expression; it is useful when talking about missing a person, place, or activity after a separation.
Eso 'Eso' means that in 'Eso es mejor', referring to the idea of taking a break instead of making a sudden decision. It is useful for pointing back to an action, suggestion, or situation already mentioned.
es 'Es' means is in 'Eso es mejor', linking the proposed action with the evaluation 'mejor'. It is the third-person singular form of 'ser', and the pattern 'eso es + adjective' is useful when assessing an option.
mejor 'Mejor' means better in 'es mejor que dejarla de repente', comparing the suggested pause with the alternatives. The pattern 'ser mejor que + infinitive' is useful for recommending one action over another.
dejarla 'Dejarla' means to leave or quit it in 'dejarla de repente', referring to quitting the class. It combines 'dejar' with the attached feminine pronoun 'la', which refers to 'la clase'; the pattern 'dejar + object pronoun' is useful when stopping an activity.
de repente 'De repente' means suddenly in 'dejarla de repente', describing an abrupt action without a gradual transition. Together, 'de' and 'repente' form a fixed adverbial expression; it is useful when describing something that happens unexpectedly or all at once.
seguir 'Seguir' means to continue or keep going in 'seguir con ella', referring to continuing with the class despite the pressure. It is an infinitive after 'mejor que', and the pattern 'seguir con + activity' is useful when deciding to maintain something.
ella 'Ella' means it in 'seguir con ella', referring back to the feminine noun 'clase'. The pattern 'seguir con ella' is useful when continuing with a previously mentioned feminine activity, plan, or matter.
a la fuerza 'A la fuerza' means under pressure or by force in 'seguir con ella a la fuerza', describing continuation that is not voluntary or comfortable. Together, 'a', 'la', and 'fuerza' form a fixed expression; it is useful when saying that someone is doing something against their preference.

Grammar Points

pasar de + infinitivo + a + infinitivo

Pasó de ser relajante a ser otra obligación.

pah-SOH deh sehr reh-lah-HAHN-teh ah sehr OH-trah oh-blee-gah-SYON

It went from being relaxing to being another obligation.

La estructura de ... a ... expresa un cambio de un estado o actividad a otro.

echar de menos + pronombre de objeto directo

La echo de menos.

lah EH-choh deh MEH-nohs

I miss her/it.

El pronombre la va delante del verbo y representa a la persona o cosa que se extraña.

Spanish Vocabulary

clase noun
KLAH-seh class
compromiso noun
kom-proh-MEE-soh commitment
continuar verb
kon-tee-NOO-ar to continue
estresante adj
eh-streh-SAHN-teh stressful
fijo adj
FEE-hoh fixed
interés noun
een-teh-REHS interest
pasar de ... a ... phrase
pah-SAR deh ... ah ... to change from ... to ... pasó de ser relajante a ser otra obligación
pasatiempo noun
pah-sah-TYEM-poh hobby
perder interés phrase
pehr-DEHR een-teh-REHS to lose interest perdiendo interés
pintura noun
peen-TOO-rah painting
resultar verb
reh-sool-TAR to seem; to turn out resulta
seguro adj
seh-GOO-roh sure

No estoy seguro

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

commitment

Show Answercompromiso

class

Show Answerclase

fixed

Show Answerfijo

interest

Show Answerinterés