Spanish phrases for new interests

Introduction

Learning how to talk about new interests in Spanish helps you connect, make plans, and sound natural when sharing hobbies, discoveries, and curiosities. This article gives practical phrases, sample dialogues, and usage notes for beginner to intermediate learners to express new likes, tentative interests, and plans to try something for the first time.

Why talk about new interests?

When you meet someone, asking about new interests opens friendly conversation and shows genuine curiosity. Saying you are starting something new also invites tips, recommendations, and invites. Social interactions, language exchanges, and casual conversations all benefit from knowing simple, flexible phrases.

Basic verbs to express new interests

Start with a few common verbs that describe beginning or wanting to try something. Learn both the infinitive and simple conjugations for present tense first-person forms.

empezar — to start
Usage: empezar is used when you begin a new activity or interest. Example:
He empezado a aprender guitarra.

comenzar — to begin (more formal)
Usage: Similar to empezar but often slightly more formal. Example:
Comencé un curso de fotografía la semana pasada.

aprender — to learn
Usage: Use when you want to express learning a skill. Example:
Quiero aprender a cocinar comida italiana.

probar — to try
Usage: Use when trying something new, often for the first time. Example:
Voy a probar el yoga este mes.

interesarse — to become interested in
Usage: Use reflexively to show a developing interest. Example:
Me estoy interesando por la jardinería.

Useful phrases to announce a new interest

These sentences work well in conversations to introduce a new hobby or curiosity. First appearance of key terms is bolded, later appearances are italicized.

Estoy empezando a + infinitive — I am starting to
Example: Estoy empezando a estudiar alemán.

Acabo de empezar a + infinitive — I just started to
Usage note: Use when the action is very recent. Example: Acabo de empezar a tocar el piano.

Me gustaría probar + noun or infinitive — I would like to try
Example: Me gustaría probar la escalada en roca.

Tengo curiosidad por + noun or verb phrase — I am curious about
Usage note: Polite and inquisitive, useful for asking follow-up questions. Example: Tengo curiosidad por la fotografía nocturna.

Estoy interesado en + noun — I am interested in
Usage note: Slightly formal or neutral. Example: Estoy interesado en la cerámica.

Casual ways to say you might try something

Sometimes you want to sound less committed. These expressions are great for tentative plans.

Quiero darle una oportunidad a + noun — I want to give something a chance
Example: Quiero darle una oportunidad a la cocina vegana.

Puede que empiece a + infinitive — I might start to
Usage note: Use for uncertain or potential plans. Example: Puede que empiece a correr por las mañanas.

Estoy pensando en + infinitive — I am thinking about
Example: Estoy pensando en aprender a bailar salsa.

Me apetece + noun or infinitive — I feel like / I fancy
Usage note: Very natural and commonly used in Spain. Example: Me apetece hacer senderismo este fin de semana.

Expressing enthusiasm or hesitation

How you describe your feelings about a new interest matters. Use these modifiers to add nuance.

Me encanta + noun or infinitive — I love it / I love doing this
Example: Me encanta tocar la guitarra.

Me gusta + noun or infinitive — I like it
Example: Me gusta mucho la pintura.

No estoy seguro / No estoy segura de + noun or infinitive — I’m not sure about
Usage note: Gender agreement matters with first-person adjectives. Example: No estoy seguro de si me gustará el buceo.

Me da miedo + noun or infinitive — It scares me / It intimidates me
Example: Me da miedo subir en bicicleta por la ciudad.

Asking others about their new interests

Turning the conversation to the other person shows interest and encourages exchange. Use these simple questions.

¿Qué te interesa últimamente? — What are you interested in lately?
Follow-up: ¿Qué te interesa últimamente en cuanto a música?

¿Has empezado a + infinitive + recientemente? — Have you started to … recently?
Example: ¿Has empezado a tocar algún instrumento recientemente?

¿Te gustaría probar + noun or infinitive + alguna vez? — Would you like to try … sometime?
Example: ¿Te gustaría probar la escalada alguna vez?

¿Qué tal te va con + noun or gerund — How is it going with …?
Example: ¿Qué tal te va con el curso de cerámica?

Short dialogues to model real conversations

These brief examples show how phrases fit into natural exchanges. Line breaks are used for clarity.

Conversation 1:
Hola, ¿qué tal?
Bien. Estoy empezando a aprender fotografía.
Qué bien. ¿Qué tipo de fotografía te interesa?
Me interesa la fotografía callejera.

Conversation 2:
¿Vas a ir al taller de cerámica?
No estoy seguro. Me da un poco de miedo mancharme, pero quiero darle una oportunidad.
Si vas, avísame y voy contigo.

Conversation 3:
Acabo de empezar a correr por las mañanas.
¡Genial! ¿Te apetece unirte a nuestro grupo el sábado?
Sí, me gustaría probar y ver si me acostumbro.

Vocabulary list: hobbies and interests

Learning common hobby words helps you swap them into the phrases above. First appearance of each is bolded.

la fotografía — photography; la fotografía
la música — music; la música
el baile — dance; el baile
la pintura — painting; la pintura
la cocina — cooking; la cocina
el senderismo — hiking; el senderismo
el yoga — yoga; el yoga
la jardinería — gardening; la jardinería
la escalada — climbing; la escalada
el buceo — scuba diving; el buceo

Usage notes and cultural tips

Tone and formality affect which expressions you choose. For casual conversations with friends, prefer me apetece, quiero, and estoy empezando. When talking to teachers, classmates, or new acquaintances, use me interesa or estoy interesado en for a slightly more formal tone.

Be aware of reflexive forms like me interesa versus non-reflexive constructions. Say me interesa una actividad to mean it interests you. Use gender agreement for adjectives that describe yourself: estoy emocionado if you are male, estoy emocionada if you are female.

In many Spanish-speaking countries, people appreciate follow-up questions and offers to help. If someone says they are trying a new hobby, asking ¿Necesitas recomendaciones? or ¿Quieres que te acompañe? is a friendly next step.

How to practice naturally

Practice speaking about new interests by describing recent experiences in a language exchange or journal. Keep a running list of phrases you like and swap nouns for different hobbies to build flexibility. Record short voice notes: say Estoy empezando a and then list three activities. Try using the tentative forms like puede que and estoy pensando en to sound more natural when you are unsure.

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoid literal translations from English that change meaning. For example, do not say Estoy interesado por; use estoy interesado en. Also, remember to use the reflexive construction for feelings: say me interesa instead of simply interesa me. Watch verb agreement and gendered adjectives, especially when describing your emotions: estoy emocionado versus estoy emocionada.

Additional phrases for invitations and follow-up

When you want to invite someone to try something with you or ask to join, these phrases are useful.

¿Quieres venir conmigo a + noun? — Do you want to come with me to …?
Example: ¿Quieres venir conmigo a la clase de yoga?

¿Te apetece + infinitive? — Do you feel like …?
Example: ¿Te apetece probar la nueva cafetería?

Podríamos + infinitive — We could …
Usage note: Good for suggesting tentative plans. Example: Podríamos apuntarnos a un taller juntos.

Conclusion

Talking about new interests in Spanish is a great way to practice verbs, ask questions, and connect socially. Use verbs like empezar, probar, and interesarse, mix in casual and tentative phrases, and follow up with friendly questions or invitations. With these phrases and tips you will feel more confident sharing new hobbies and discovering others passions in Spanish.