Spanish · Everyday Verbs
"to like" in Spanish: gustar
gustar
Note: me gusta; the thing is the subject
To like in Spanish usually uses gustar. Say me gusta for one thing and me gustan for plural things. With gustar, the liked thing is the subject.
Food preference
Me gusta la comida picante.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce gustar
Say it
goos-TAHR / GOOS-tah
/ɡus.ˈtaɾ/
Gustar is goos-TAHR. Gusta is GOOS-tah. Gustan is GOOS-tahn.
"to like" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| gustar | to be pleasing / to like Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| me gusta | I like (singular) Me gusta el café. | Me gusta el café. |
| me gustan | I like (plural) Me gustan los tacos. | Me gustan los tacos. |
| te gusta / le gusta | you like / he-she likes Questions and statements. | Questions and statements. |
| nos gusta | we like Shared preference. | Shared preference. |
How to use gustar in real life
- 1Food preference
Me gusta la comida picante.
I like spicy food.
Me gusta + singular noun.
- 2Asking a friend
¿Te gusta el cine o el teatro?
Do you like movies or theater?
Te gusta keeps gusta singular for each option.
- 3Talking about hobbies
Me gustan los libros cortos.
I like short books.
Me gustan matches plural libros.
Mistakes English speakers make with gustar
Incorrect: Me gusto el café.
Correct: Me gusta el café.
Use gusta for one thing, not gusto.
Incorrect: Me gusta los tacos.
Correct: Me gustan los tacos.
Plural things need gustan.
Good to know
Gustar feels backward at first because the thing does the pleasing. Latin American speakers also use me encanta for stronger like, still near the gustar pattern.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Picking a playlist in the car
ChatPal
¿Te gusta la música suave en el carro?
Do you like soft music in the car?
You
Sí. Me gusta mucho.
Yes. I like it a lot.
ChatPal
A mí me gustan los podcasts cortos también.
I like short podcasts too.
You
Perfecto. Entonces pon uno que te guste.
Perfect. Then put on one you like.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to like" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to like" in Spanish
Why me gusta and not yo gusto?
With gustar, the thing is the subject. Me marks who is pleased.
When do I use me gustan?
When what you like is plural: me gustan las fresas.
How do I say I don't like it?
No me gusta or No me gusta eso.
How do you pronounce gusta?
GOOS-tah. Soft g, clear u like oo.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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