Me gusta el español
/me ɡusta el espaɲol/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I like spanish" is translated into Spanish as Me gusta el español.
Me gusta el español is used to express your liking for the Spanish language. If you wish to express that you have admiration for the language in a more formal way, you can say Tengo admiración por el español.
Which one should you use?
Use Me gusta el español to refer to the language. If you want to say that you like the people from Spain instead of the language, you would say Me gustan los españoles.
How does it change in a sentence?
The structure of Me gusta el español is the opposite of the English "I like" structure. Instead, it translates to "Spanish pleases me," where el español is the subject and me gusta means "is pleasing to me".
How do you pronounce it?
/me ɡusta el espaɲol/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often incorrectly say Yo gusto el español by translating "I" directly. Instead, remember that the verb gustar functions with indirect object pronouns and the language itself acts as the subject.
Did you know?
- The word español may have roots in an ancient Phoenician phrase meaning 'coast of hyraxes' through a complex chain of linguistic back-formations.
Examples in context
- Entiendo y hablo varios idiomas, pero me gusta especialmente el español.I understand and speak several languages, but I particularly like Spanish.
- Me mola el español, es un idioma súper interesante.I really like Spanish, it's a super interesting language.
- Me encanta el español, siempre he querido visitar España.I love Spanish, I've always wanted to visit Spain.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their language classes.
- JavierSofía, ¿por qué estudias este idioma?Sofía, why are you studying this language?
- SofíaPorque me gusta el español.Because I like Spanish.
- JavierA mí también me gusta mucho.I like it a lot too.
- Sofía¡Qué bueno, Javier!That's great, Javier!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, español, me, CC BY-SA 4.0.
