What does it mean word for word?
The phrase me gusta el azul literally translates to "to me it is pleasing the blue".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you can say Me mola el color azul or El azul me parece guay to express that you like or think the color is cool. In Mexico, Me late el color azul is used to express fondness for the color blue.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, the subject of the sentence is actually the thing being liked, which in this case is el azul (the blue). Therefore, the verb is conjugated in the third-person singular. If you change the object of your preference to a plural noun, such as los colores azules, the verb must change to gustan.
How do you pronounce it?
/me ɡusta el aθul/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying yo gusto el azul. English speakers often make this mistake by translating "I like" directly, but in Spanish, the thing being liked must be the subject of the sentence.
Did you know?
- The word azul comes from the Arabic word for 'lapis lazuli', a deep-blue semi-precious stone. It entered the language via Andalusian Arabic during the Moorish presence in the Iberian Peninsula.
- In Spanish, the way you say you like blue changes based on the region. While me gusta is universal, people in Mexico might use me late, which literally means 'it beats to me' like a heart.
Examples in context
- Me gusta el azul.I like blue.This is useful for stating your preference for the color blue.Tatoeba #3445611 by ulymarrero, translation #2245933 by CK
- Para mi vestido, me gusta el azul.For my dress, I like blue.
- De todos los colores, me gusta el azul.Of all the colors, I like blue.
Example conversation
Javier and María are choosing a paint color for a room.
- Javier¿Qué color prefieres para la pared?What color do you prefer for the wall?
- MaríaA mí me gusta el azul.I like blue.
- JavierEs un color muy bonito.It is a very pretty color.
- MaríaSí, queda muy bien en esta habitación.Yes, it looks very good in this room.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries azul, el, me, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
