Gustar and verbs like it
Me gusta, me duele, me interesa.
To say "I like", Spanish says "it pleases me": me gusta. The thing liked is the subject, so the verb agrees with it, and the person who likes it is an indirect object, "to me", "to you" (Object pronouns).
| Spanish | Meaning |
|---|---|
| me gusta | I like |
| te gusta | you like |
| le gusta | he, she likes; you (usted) like |
| nos gusta | we like |
| os gusta | you all like (Spain) |
| les gusta | they like; you all like |
Gusta or gustan
One thing, or an activity in the infinitive, takes gusta; several things take gustan.
- I like chocolate.
- I like dogs.
- We like to dance.
- Do you like these photos?
A mí, a Juan
a with a name or a pronoun makes clear who likes something, or stresses it. The le or les stays.
- Juan likes soccer.
- My parents like to travel.
- I like it, but he doesn't.
Verbs like gustar
| Spanish | Meaning |
|---|---|
| encantar | to love (things): me encanta |
| interesar | to interest |
| doler (ue) | to hurt: me duele la cabeza |
| importar | to matter, to mind |
| molestar | to bother |
| parecer | to seem: me parece bien |
| faltar | to be missing, lacking |
| quedar | to have left: nos quedan dos |
- I love this song.
- My feet hurt.
- Do you mind if I open the window?
- It seems like a good idea to me.
Me gustas means "I like you" in the sense of being attracted; for liking a friend, say Me caes bien.
Cards from this guide
9 cardsEach card asks about one thing this guide teaches, and its back gives the answer with why and an example. They're reviewed with the rest of the Verbs cards.
How do you say 'I like dogs'?
Me gustan los perros.
How do you say 'we like to dance'?
Nos gusta bailar.
How do you say 'Juan likes soccer'?
A Juan le gusta el fútbol.
How do you say 'I like it, but he doesn't'?
A mí me gusta, pero a él no.
What does me encanta mean?
'I love it', about things and activities.
How do you say 'my head hurts'?
Me duele la cabeza.
How do you ask 'Do you mind if I open the window?'
¿Te importa si abro la ventana?
What does Me parece bien mean?
'That's fine with me', literally 'it seems good to me'.
What does Me gustas mean?
'I like you', in the sense of being attracted to someone.