What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'she is pleasing to me'. This is because the verb gustar functions differently than the English 'to like'.
Which one should you use?
Me cae bien or Me cae bien ella is used when you mean you have a good impression of her or get along with her. In formal settings, you might use Tengo aprecio por ella to convey appreciation, admiration or respect.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, a casual alternative to say 'I like her' is Me mola ella. In Argentina, the phrase Me copa ella is used to convey the feeling of liking someone.
How do you pronounce it?
/me ɡusta eʝa/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to translate the phrase directly as yo gusto ella. In Spanish, the person being liked is the subject of the sentence, not the person doing the liking.
Did you know?
- While me gusta is used for romantic attraction, Spanish speakers use me cae bien to describe a friendly liking. The verb caer literally means 'to fall', suggesting the person 'fell' well in your estimation.
- The word ella is a descendant of the Latin word illa, which was a demonstrative used to point out 'that one' at a distance. It functioned more like a pointer than a simple pronoun.
- In Argentina, the phrase me copa ella uses a verb associated with 'covering' or 'capturing'. It is a regional way to express that someone has captured your interest or affection.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a classmate.
- Sofía¿Qué piensas de Marta?What do you think of Marta?
- JavierLa verdad es que me gusta ella.The truth is that I like her.
- Sofía¿De verdad? Es muy simpática.Really? She is very nice.
- JavierSí, es encantadora.Yes, she is lovely.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ella, me, CC BY-SA 4.0.
