In Spanish, gustar means "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
- Use gustar to 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
| Spanish Sentence |
|---|
| Me gusta el libro. |
| English Translation |
| Explanation |
| "The book" (subject) is pleasing to "me" (indirect object). |
Indirect Object Pronouns
Singular vs. Plural
- Use gusta with singular nouns or infinitive verbs.
- Use gustan with plural nouns.
| Spanish Example |
|---|
| Me gusta el café. |
| English Example |
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
| Spanish Sentence |
|---|
| Me encanta la música. |
| English Translation |
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 like a 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