Let’s have some fun, or All about entertainment. Let’s have some fun, or All about entertainment Theme of entertainment in English
Once a person has all the things they need to live, everything else is entertainment.
When a person has everything necessary for life, the rest becomes entertainment.
Neal Stephenson
It's always nice to have fun. At any age, at any time of the year and absolutely in any corner of the world. “Leisure” or “free time” can be translated into English in a few words: leisure, free time, recreation, pastime. World of Entertainment ( entertainments) is so great that it is impossible to resist and not choose something special for yourself. Our table will tell you what you can do to fill your leisure time.
| Type of entertainment | A comment | Picture |
|---|---|---|
| a cinema- movie | You can enhance your impressions of the film by visiting IMAX (image maximum) – a cinema with unique technologies. And in megaplex(a cinema with more than 12 halls) you will definitely find yourself watching an interesting film. |  |
| a theater (BrE) / a theater (AmE) - theater | Book your ticket to the box ( a box) and enjoy the performance. In big cities you can even attend matinee shows ( matinees). |  |
| a concert- concert | Rock or pop concert ( rock and pop gigs) is a guaranteed way to have a great rest. |  |
| a museum- museum | Check out the new collections ( collections) and exhibits ( exhibits) without unnecessary fuss. |  |
| a ballet– ballet | Graceful performance ( a performance) artists will not leave anyone indifferent. |  |
| an opera– opera | Remember the delight of Julia Roberts' character in the movie Pretty Woman when she attended the opera for the first time? It's time for us to listen to some aria ( an aria). |  |
| an exhibition- exhibition | Here you can see everything from cacti and cats to exotic butterflies and precious items. Impressions ( impressions) will last a long time! |  |
| a zoo– zoo | A trip to the zoo is always a lot of positive emotions. Don't forget to visit the aquarium ( an aquarium)! |  |
| an art gallery- art Gallery | Take a look at real masterpieces of art ( masterpieces), and the day off will not be in vain. |  |
| a circus- circus | You may not like clowns, but is it worth denying yourself the pleasure of meeting trained animals and the tricks of an illusionist ( a conjuror)? |  |
| a funfair- fair | Try cotton candy ( cotton candy) and spin on the carousel ( a carousel) everyone wants to go back to childhood. |  |
| a parade– parade | Walking bands ( marching bands), festive processions, cheerful rhythms. What else do you need for a good mood? |  |
| a carnival– carnival | Prepare a carnival costume ( a fancy dress) and mask ( a mask), and you are guaranteed an unforgettable leisure time. |  |
| a water park- aquapark | Who wouldn't want to go on a water slide? water slides) or visit the artificial wave pool( a wave pool)? This is a lot of fun! |  |
| an amusement park- amusement park | Before you know it, you've spent the entire day riding a roller coaster ( roller coasters), ferris wheel ( an observation wheel) and other attractions ( attractions). |  |
| a street performance– street performance | Street musicians ( street musicians) or living statues ( living statues) will make your walk around the city interesting. |  |
| a firework display– fireworks show | A spectacle of dazzling beauty! Stay away from pyrotechnics ( pyrotechnics). |  |
| a party- party | As it was sung in one popular song, a little party never killed anyone(a little party never hurt anyone). The best way De-stress on a Friday night. |  |
Newfangled entertainment
Of course, you can say that you have already tried all this more than once. I want something new, and not just go on a picnic ( to go on a picnic) throw a Frisbee ( a frisbee) or spend another Friday in a karaoke hall ( a karaoke hall). In this case, you will be interested to know about several newfangled entertainments that may also appeal to you.
Real-life room escape - quests in reality, escape rooms or quest rooms
Escape rooms have been popular since 2007 in both Europe and Asia. The main objective of the game is to get out of a locked room. This is what players have to do certain time(usually 60 minutes). By solving puzzles, intellectual tasks, and finding various objects, they are immersed in a unique atmosphere. In Russia, this entertainment is called quest rooms, and since 2014, such leisure activities have begun to gain popularity. The theme of quest rooms takes you to abandoned dungeons, prisons, medieval castles, where you can solve crimes, look for mysterious artifacts, or encounter something paranormal. Check out how fun it is with the following video.
- owners– owners;
- downtown- downtown;
- mad scientists– mad scientists;
- to figure- understand, imagine;
- crime scene investigation (CSI) – crime scene investigation department;
- to investigate a crime- investigate a crime;
- intense– tense, intense;
- automated– automated;
- a chest- box;
- unique adventures– unique adventures.
Footgolf
Fans of active recreation will undoubtedly enjoy this way of spending their leisure time. You already guessed that the name combines the words football + golf. Everyone can play the game: men, women, children. This sport is already popular in 25 countries around the world, and how and where it is played, learn from the following short video.
List of useful vocabulary from the video:
- soccer– football;
- a kick– kick;
- a hole– hole;
- an inch– inch;
- an opening tournament– opening tournament;
- a golf course- golf course;
- ball control– ball control;
- have an objective– have a goal, a task;
- shots– blows, throws;
- enthusiastic– enthusiastic, enthusiastic;
- excitement– excitement, excitement;
- a golf club- golf club.
How to talk about your entertainment
You can spend your free time outdoors ( outdoors), whether it's a fast-paced air show ( an air show) or a leisurely walk in the botanical garden ( a botanical garden). Or you can enjoy your leisure time indoors ( indoors), leaning back in a soft chair and merging with the twilight of the planetarium ( a planetarium), or recklessly knocking down the pins in a bowling alley ( bowling) another successful strike. Depending on your mood and weather, you can go with your friends to play paintball outside the city ( paintball) or stay at home and take your favorite board games off the shelf ( board games). The main thing is that this pastime gives you positive emotions and happy memories. And our table of useful vocabulary will help you talk about this in English.
| Word/Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| amusement | entertainment, fun, fun |
| crack(Irish) | have a nice time |
| distraction | entertainment that helps you take your mind off things |
| fling(spoken) | fast paced life |
| frolic | fun, prank |
| gaieties | entertainment, fun |
| a giggle | giggle |
| high jinks(informal) | revelry |
| merry-making | fun, fun, celebration |
| quality time | time spent with benefit and pleasure (with family or friends) |
| a riot | revelry, “breakaway” |
| a romp | noisy game, mischief |
| savor (BrE) / savor (AmE) | pleasure, pleasure |
| a wheeze | joke, brilliant idea |
| a real hoot | something very funny |
| a jamboree | celebration, fun, feast |
When talking with friends and acquaintances about how you spend your free time, the following expressions will come in handy:
| Expression | Translation |
|---|---|
| to take it easy | relax, don't worry |
| to live it up | to live a life of joy |
| to chow down at a fast-food joint | chew something at a fast food restaurant |
| to grab some munchies and hit the road | grab some goodies and head somewhere |
| to catch a flick | go to the cinema (to the cinema) |
| to catch one's eye | attract attention |
| to take one's breath away | breathtaking |
| top of the line | the best |
| on the house | free (synonymous with free) |
| to hang out | hang out, hang out (around the city) |
| to catch a few rays | sunbathe |
| to shoot some hoops | play basketball |
| to go for a kickaround | kick the ball (play football) |
| to enjoy a cup of joe / a cup of java | drink some coffee |
| to chill out | relax, calm down |
| have the time of your life | enjoy (the time spent) |
| to let one's hair down | relax, stop holding yourself back |
| to bring the house down | make someone laugh, have fun |
| to send in the clowns | organize fun, come up with entertainment |
Idioms about fun and entertainment
Agree that it is simply impossible to talk about your weekend or a great time without using colorful speech patterns. Phraseologisms come to our aid. Remember some of them, and our examples will show you how to apply them in practice.
- To make one's day- to make someone happy, to please someone.
Amanda thanked for the unexpected gift. It really made her day. – Amanda thanked her for the unexpected gift. He really made her happy.
- To keep it low-key- spend a quiet evening at home.
Eric has to work tomorrow, so tonight he"s going to keep it low-key. – Eric has to work tomorrow, so today he’s going spend a quiet evening at home.
- To paint the town red- go on a spree, indulge in fun.
Bruce finished his exams today so he"s gone out to paint the town red. Bruce passed his exams today, so he went on a spree.
- To have a blast- to have a blast.
Adele had a blast in New York during her vacation. She really wants to go back there someday. – Adele had a blast in New York while on vacation. She really wants to return there someday.
- When the cat's away (the mice will play). - Without a cat, mice have freedom.
When the teacher left the room, the children began to make a lot of noise. When the cat's away, the mice will play. – When the teacher left the room, the children began to make a lot of noise. Without a cat, mice have freedom.
And finally, we invite you to take a short vocabulary test and download a list of words and expressions on the topic.
(*.pdf, 306 Kb)
A letter in English about your favorite pastimes or hobbies
Dear Madeline,
Thank you for your letter! Sorry that I haven’t written to you for so long but I was busy all this time.
It was interesting to learn that you love. Of course this is very interesting, but I prefer active relaxation. In my opinion it is more modern king of entertainment that benefits the body.
One of my favorite entertainment is skating. I love to go with friends to an ice palace in Tula. There are specially equipped rooms for figure skating.
I also like other entertainments such as going to the movies. This is very fun and interesting. You can watch all new movies and discuss them with friends.
Madeline, You said you are taking part in the school play. It is very interesting. I would like to know the name of that play? I really wonder what role you play in it. Please tell me when will you have a performance? I would love to see it.
Sorry, I must finish now.
Best wishes,
Alissa
[ translation ]
Dear Madeleine,
Thank you for your letter! Sorry that I haven't written to you for so long, but I've been busy all this time.
It was interesting to know what TV series you like. Of course, it is very interesting, but I prefer active recreation. In my opinion it's more modern look entertainment that benefits the body.
One of my favorite pastimes is ice skating. I like to go with friends to the ice palace in Tula. There are specially equipped halls for figure skating.
I also enjoy other entertainment such as going to the cinema. It's very fun and interesting. You can watch all the new movies and discuss them with your friends.
Madeleine, you said you were taking part in the school play. It is very interesting. What is the name of this performance? I'm really curious, what role do you play in it? Please tell me when will you perform? I'd like to watch it.
Leisure. Entertainment
Nowadays everyone knows that people are very busy and don’t have much time to spare. Sometimes it’s only the weekend and I think that every day-off needs some special planning. The English say: "Who knows how to work, knows how to rest." I think it's true. In my view the rest is as important as work. So I try to treasure every hour and think of the ways of having a good time in the best way possible for me.
I prefer spending my free time with the people whose company I always enjoy. I also like to spend my spare time alone, when I’m tired and haven’t got any desire to talk to anybody, very often I want to get away from noisy streets and go to the countryside and change the scenery. On the other hand I may go to different entertainment centers such as disco clubs, art centers including cinema, theater, concerts halls, etc.
There are people who want to broaden and enrich their knowledge during their free time. I'm among them; I go to the library or reading-hall where I can find a lot of books written by my favorite writers and poets. I must add that I never have enough time to enjoy reading and more often read a book or a magazine late in the evening. Or I can go to the museums and picture galleries where I can see the works of well-known painters and sculptors of all times. I don’t forget the computer - my greatest helper in searching for knowledge.
If you want to be strong and healthy, go in for sports. There are many sports clubs, swimming-pools, gymnasiums and sport grounds for everyone who loves sports. Sport will make you not only healthier and stronger, but kinder, more sociable, cheerful and even wiser. Sport will give you its strength and energy and you’ll become a greater admirer of life with all its problems and wonders.
Moreover, there are a lot of people who prefer less energetic activities, such as chess, cards, crosswords.
And don’t forget about hobbies. You should have at least one, it’ll help you to relax, dream and enjoy life. There are so many hobbies to choose: painting, computer programming, photography, fishing, gardening, cooking, walking, learning languages, collecting something and what not. It's a pleasure to see lots of things made with your own hands, to look through a large collection of old and rare coins, books or stamps, to present your friends with the pictures and drawings created by yourself, to amuse everyone with your green winter garden at home. So, look around more carefully and you’ll find your own and the only one (or even more). Hobbies give people moments of pride and excitement but take a lot of time, energy and even money.
Tastes differ and if you have chosen a hobby according to your character and taste you are lucky. (So my hobby is...)
Traveling is also a good way to spend my spare time. Visiting new places, seeing sights and meeting new people is a very exciting and useful relaxation. I can go hiking. In summer I like to be outdoors from morning till night, sunbathing, walking barefoot on the grass. My family or my friends are the very people to go with to the riverbank, to the forest or to the seashore. It's really wonderful to put up a tent, make a fire and spend time in a picturesque place.
People are dreamers, our dreams are different but each person chooses his own way of spending free time, either passive or active. In any case leisure should be refreshment and a source of inspiration.
Questions:
1.How do you prefer spending your free time?
2.Do you have a hobby? Why should people have a hobby?
