What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "to me is pleasing the fish". This is because the verb gustar functions as "to be pleasing to".
Which one should you use?
The form me gusta el pescado specifically refers to fish as a food category. If you were talking about a specific pet fish, you would typically use the word el pez instead. While me gusta el pescado is the standard, me chifla el pescado is a common way to say you like fish in some regions and the slang expression me mola el pescado is also used in certain parts of Spain.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain parts of Spain, you may encounter the colloquial expression me chifla el pescado or the slang expression me mola el pescado to mean "I like fish".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase me gusta el pescado, me is an indirect object pronoun meaning "to me" and el pescado is the subject of the sentence. If you are referring to multiple types of fish or several individual fish, the verb must change to the plural gustan to agree with the plural subject los pescados (e.g., me gustan los pescados).
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying yo gusto el pescado. English speakers often make this error by translating "I like" directly, but in Spanish, the thing being liked is the subject that "pleases" you.
Did you know?
- The phrase me chifla el pescado is a colorful, colloquial way to say you love fish. The verb chiflar usually refers to whistling, but in this context, it means to be extremely fond of something.
- The slang phrase me mola el pescado uses the verb molar, which originally referred to the grinding of grain with a millstone.
- The word pescado comes from the Latin word for the act of fishing rather than the animal itself. It specifically describes a fish that has been caught.
Examples in context
- Me gusta el pescado.I like fish.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase me gusta el pescado.Tatoeba #750504 by darinmex, translation #256891 by CK
- Me gusta el pescado, especialmente el salmón.I like fish, especially salmon.
- Me encanta el pescado frito.I absolutely love fried fish.
- Me chifla el pescado al horno.I'm crazy about baked fish.
- Me agrada el pescado a la plancha.I find grilled fish pleasant.
- ¿Sabes que me gusta el pescado?Do you know that I like fish?
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are choosing what to order at a restaurant.
- DanielLucía, ¿qué quieres comer?Lucía, what do you want to eat?
- LucíaNo estoy segura, ¿y a ti?I'm not sure, and you?
- DanielA mí me gusta el pescado, así que pediré una ensalada de atún.I like fish, so I will order a tuna salad.
- LucíaPerfecto, yo pediré la pasta.Perfect, I will order the pasta.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, me, pescado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
