Gustar and Similar Verbs
In Spanish,gustarmeans "to be pleasing," so the sentence literally says, "That is pleasing to me." This is different from the English "I like that."
Usage of Gustar
- Usegustarto talk about likes and dislikes.
- The thing being liked is the subject of the sentence.
- The person who likes it is indicated by an indirect object pronoun.
Sentence Structure
Indirect Object Pronouns
Singular vs. Plural
- Usegustawith singular nouns or infinitive verbs.
- Usegustanwith plural nouns.
Similar Verbs
Gustar is just one of a group of Spanish verbs that follow the same pattern. They are used to express various feelings and reactions.
Example Sentences
Usage Tips
- Always use the indirect object pronoun to indicate who is experiencing the feeling.
- The verb agrees with the subject (the thing causing the feeling), not the pronoun.
- You can clarify or emphasize the person with a phrase likea mí,a ti,a él, etc.
- Example:A mí me gusta el chocolate.
- This construction can be used with singular or plural subjects, and with nouns or verbs.
Gustar and similar verbs provide a way to express personal reactions in Spanish with a focus on the experience rather than the actor.
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Last updated: Thu Jul 17, 2025