você gosta
The phrase "do you like" is translated into Portuguese as você gosta.
This phrase is used to ask if someone enjoys a particular thing or activity.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In informal settings, the form tu gostas is used in many parts of Brazil and in Portugal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many parts of Brazil and in Portugal, tu gostas is used instead of você gosta in informal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb gostar must always be followed by the preposition de when expressing what you like. To form a question in Portuguese, you often use the same word order as a statement and change only the intonation.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often forget to include the preposition de after gosta, but this preposition is grammatically required in Portuguese.
Did you know?
- The word você actually evolved from the phrase vossa mercee, which means 'your mercy'.
- While você gosta asks about a general preference, using the verb curtir is a common slang alternative among young Brazilians to express 'liking' or 'vibing' with something.
- In Portugal, using você can sometimes be perceived as distant or even slightly confrontational depending on the social hierarchy, despite it being a standard translation for 'you'.
Examples in context
- Do que você gosta?What do you like?This sentence is useful for asking what someone likes.Tatoeba #393567 by brauliobezerra, translation #16274 by CK
- Você gosta de rap?Do you like rap?This sentence is useful for asking if someone likes a specific music genre.Tatoeba #406472 by brauliobezerra, translation #2310 by CK
- Você gosta de mim?Do you like me?This sentence is useful for asking if someone likes you.Tatoeba #4487133 by carlosalberto, translation #3123307 by CK
- Você gosta de música?Do you like music?
- Tu gostas de viajar?Do you like to travel?
- Vocês curtem praia?Do you like the beach?
- 327 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariana and Rodrigo are talking about movies.
- MarianaVocê gosta de filmes de terror?Do you like horror movies?
- RodrigoNão, eu prefiro comédias.No, I prefer comedies.
- MarianaE você gosta de cinema?And do you like the cinema?
- RodrigoSim, eu amo ir ao cinema!Yes, I love going to the cinema!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries você, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
