What does it mean word for word?
The phrase no me gusta literally translates to 'it does not please me', where 'me' is the indirect object pronoun meaning 'to me'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the slang expression no me mola is common for expressing dislike. In Mexico, you can use no me late or the more emphatic no me late para nada. In Argentina, the phrases no me va and no me copa are used to express that you do not like something.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the things you dislike are plural, you must use the plural form no me gustan.
How do you pronounce it?
/no me ɡusta/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying yo no gusto to mean 'I dislike something'. In Spanish, the thing being disliked acts as the subject that 'pleases' or 'does not please' you, rather than you being the subject performing the action of liking.
Did you know?
- To say you dislike a person's character, you wouldn't use gustar, but rather the phrase caer mal, which literally translates to 'to fall badly' on you.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying no me gusta can be perceived as too blunt. People often soften the dislike by saying no me encanta, which literally means 'it does not enchant me'.
- The slang term no me mola used in Spain derives from molar, a word that originally referred to a molar tooth or a grinding stone.
Examples in context
- No me gusta este color.I don't like this color.
- No me gusta la comida picante.I don't like spicy food.
- No me gusta esperar en la fila.I don't like waiting in line.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are looking at a new dress in a shop.
- Javier¿Te gusta este vestido, Lucía?Do you like this dress, Lucía?
- LucíaNo, no me gusta nada.No, I don't like it at all.
- Javier¿Prefieres el vestido azul?Do you prefer the blue dress?
- LucíaSí, ese es mucho más bonito.Yes, that one is much prettier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
