me gustan las manzanas
/me ɡustan las manθanas/from spelling rules
The phrase "I like apples" in Spanish is me gustan las manzanas.
This phrase is used to express a general preference for apples. While me gustan las manzanas is the standard way to say it, you can also say Disfruto de las manzanas to mean "I enjoy apples", which is a slightly more formal expression. For a very informal or slang way to say you love or are crazy about apples, you can use Me chiflan las manzanas.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase me gustan las manzanas literally translates to "to me they are pleasing the apples".
How does it change in a sentence?
In this construction, las manzanas is the subject, so the verb must agree in number with the apples. Because apples are plural, you use the plural form gustan. If you were referring to a single apple rather than apples in general, the verb changes from the plural 'gustan' to the singular 'gusta', as in me gusta la manzana.
How do you pronounce it?
/me ɡustan las manθanas/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying yo gusto las manzanas. This is a common error for English speakers. In Spanish, the thing being liked is the subject that performs the action of "pleasing" you, so you must use me gustan instead.
Did you know?
- The word manzana is a homonym that refers to both the fruit and a city block. This means the phrase me gustan las manzanas could technically mean 'I like city blocks' depending on the context.
- If you use the verb gustar to say you like a person, it often implies more than just a simple preference. It can specifically signal that you find someone sexually attractive or have a romantic interest in them.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the phrase me chiflan las manzanas is used to show an intense passion for apples, as chiflar literally means 'to whistle'.
Examples in context
- Me gustan las manzanas.I like apples.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase me gustan las manzanas.Tatoeba #1247702 by marcelostockle, translation #262240 by CK
- Me gustan las manzanasI like the apples
- Disfruto mucho de las manzanas frescasI really enjoy fresh apples
- Me chiflan las manzanas dulcesI love sweet apples
- Me chiflan las manzanas verdesI'm crazy about green apples
- No me gustan las manzanas verdes.I do not like green apples.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are shopping at a local fruit market.
- Lucía¿Quieres comprar peras?Do you want to buy pears?
- JavierNo, a mí me gustan las manzanas.No, I like apples.
- LucíaEstá bien, compremos algunas manzanas.That is fine, let's buy some apples.
- JavierGracias, Lucía.Thank you, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
