How to Use the Verb "Gustar" and Similar Verbs
Introduction: Why "Gustar" Can Be Tricky for English Speakers
You’re walking down a charming street in Madrid, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere, when you smell something irresistible coming from a nearby tapas bar. As you take a bite of your patatas bravas, your Spanish-speaking friend asks, "¿Te gusta la comida?" You know they’re asking if you like the food, but something seems off—why did they say te gusta instead of tú gustas?
If you’ve ever struggled with the verb gustar, you’re not alone. Many Spanish learners find gustar and similar verbs confusing because they work differently from their English equivalents. Instead of saying "I like something," Spanish speakers express it as "Something is pleasing to me." This subtle shift in perspective requires a change in sentence structure and pronoun use.
Mastering gustar and similar verbs like encantar, fascinar, and molestar will make your Spanish sound more natural and fluid. In this guide, we’ll break down how to use these verbs correctly, provide plenty of examples, and help you avoid common mistakes.
1. Understanding the Basics of "Gustar"
Unlike typical Spanish verbs, gustar follows a different sentence structure. Instead of the subject performing the action, the subject receives the action. This is why gustar is often translated as "to be pleasing" rather than "to like."
Sentence Structure:
Instead of saying:
Yo gusto el helado ❌ (Incorrect)
You should say:
Me gusta el helado ✅ (Correct: Ice cream is pleasing to me)
In this structure:
The thing being liked (el helado) is actually the subject.
The person who likes it (me) is the indirect object.
The verb agrees with the subject (el helado), not the person.
Examples:
Me gusta la música clásica. (I like classical music.)
Te gustan los perros. (You like dogs.)
A Juan le gusta viajar. (Juan likes to travel.)
Nos gustan las películas de acción. (We like action movies.)
Important Note on Verb Agreement
The verb gustar agrees in number with the thing being liked:
Me gusta el café. (I like coffee.)
Me gustan los libros. (I like books.)
Examples:
Me gusta bailar. (I like to dance.)
Le gusta el fútbol. (He/She likes soccer.)
Nos gustan los gatos. (We like cats.)
Les gusta el chocolate. (They like chocolate.)
For emphasis or clarification, you can add a + pronoun/name:
A mí me gusta el café. (I like coffee.)
A Pedro le gustan los deportes. (Pedro likes sports.)
A nosotros nos gusta la playa. (We like the beach.)
2. Using "Gustar" with Verbs
If you like doing something, use the infinitive:
Me gusta nadar. (I like to swim.)
Les gusta viajar. (They like to travel.)
Nos gusta cantar y bailar. (We like singing and dancing.)
In these cases, gustar remains singular, regardless of how many activities are mentioned.
3.Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
1. Forgetting the Indirect Object Pronoun
❌ Gusta el fútbol. (Incorrect) ✅ Me gusta el fútbol. (Correct)
2. Using the Wrong Verb Form
❌ Me gustan leer libros. (Incorrect) ✅ Me gusta leer libros. (Correct: The verb remains singular when followed by an infinitive.)
4. Confusing "Gustar" with "Amar" or "Querer"
Gustar is for liking things in general, while amar and querer are for strong emotions.
Me gusta el chocolate. (I like chocolate.)
Te quiero. (I love you.)
Amo a mi familia. (I love my family.)
Conclusion: Mastering "Gustar" and Similar Verbs
Learning how to use gustar correctly can greatly improve your Spanish fluency. Remember:
Use indirect object pronouns.
Make the verb agree with the subject (thing being liked).
Use singular gustar before verbs and plural for multiple nouns.
Apply the same structure to similar verbs like encantar and molestar.
By practicing these structures, you’ll sound more natural when expressing likes, dislikes, and preferences in Spanish.
If you want to deepen your understanding of Spanish grammar, check out our Spanish classes at Polyglottist Language Academy! Our courses are designed to make learning engaging and effective.
Also, don’t forget to explore our other blog articles on Spanish grammar:
¡Buena suerte!