Hobby: Recreation and Entertainment

[Fire Fly]

HOBBY – RECREATION & ENTERTAINMENT
Could anyone help me to distinguish the difference between “hobby”, "recreation" and "entertainment". I know there are some overlaps between them. But how about this sentence "Recreation and entertainment" are important to people anywhere in the world."? Please give me a clear explanation. Many thanks.
Here is what I have read from the Encarta dictionary:
Recreation (n): refreshment, amusement
Entertainment (n): art of keeping people entertained; enjoyment, performance or exhibition.

What I understand here is that “recreation” is used personally i.e. what a person usually do to relax himself after work. “entertainment” here means a performance (to entertain people) or the enjoyment of a group of people.
My next question is “how about hobby?” What’s the difference between “HOBBY & RECREATION”? To me, “recreation involves some enjoyable activities whereas “hobby” means something we usually do for pleasure”. Could you explain more? Many thanks.

[HamburgEnglish]

Hi,

You can think of "hobby" as being something a person finds enjoyable, that a person repeatedly involves themselves in. A hobby is something that someone would be very interested in and therefore, they would learn about the hobby and possibly many things connected with the hobby. (e.g. One of my hobbies is building and flying model aircraft. I do it regularly. Through my hobby I have got to understand the aerodynamics of flight, methods for controlling aircraft, materials for flight .... etc. (Sometimes I wonder whether I could in fact take control of a real aircraft, should the situation arise in which the real Pilot has a heart attack and the air hostess runs into the passenger cabin shouting "Can anyone fly a plane?"<smile>)

"Recreation" on the other hand does not need to be repeated. In fact it can be something that you do once in your life. Also you will not be so interested in the knowledge behind the activity, rather only doing the activity. Going to the park for a walk, riding your bike, reading a book are recreation activities.

I ask all of my students in class "What are your hobbies?"

Quite a lot of them say that they do sport! This is an ideal opportunity for any teacher to discuss, whether the sport they do is really a hobby, or in fact recreation.

Rob.
www.hamburg-english.eu
www.onlineenglish.eu

[Fire Fly]

Hi, Mr. HamburgEnglish,
Many thanks for your clear explanation. What I understand is that hobby is something we do both for pleasure and for learning whereas "recreation" is something we usually to refresh our minds. Is it clear?

[HamburgEnglish]

Hi,

Yes, your understanding is pretty much correct now.

Rob

[Wanderer]

.....And I think entertainment, to some extent, is smaller than recreation.
_________________
Let my English be checked!

[Fire Fly]

Hi, HamberEnglish,
Many thanks for your kindness. I love your clear explanation. Hope to meet you sometimes on this website.
Hi, Wanderer,
Could you tell me some things more about "recreation" and "entertainment"? I love to hear from you soon.