me gusta
/me ˈɡusta/
The Spanish phrase for 'I like that' is me gusta.
Because of how the verb functions, you are actually saying that the thing you like is performing the action of pleasing you.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase me gusta literally translates to 'it pleases me', where the thing being liked is the subject of the sentence.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, particularly in Andalusia, you can use the informal expression Me chifla to convey a high level of liking. In Mexico, Me late is an informal way to say 'I like that'. In Chile, the phrase Me gusta caleta is used to express a strong liking for something.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the thing you like is plural, you must use me gustan.
How do you pronounce it?
/me ˈɡusta/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying yo gusto to mean 'I like'. In Spanish, the verb functions so that the object being liked acts as the subject, making yo gusto incorrect for this meaning.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, if you say you 'like' a person using me gusta, it can imply romantic or physical attraction rather than just liking their personality.
- In Spain, using Me chifla to express liking something is like saying 'it whistles me', derived from the sound of a whistle.
- In Mexico, the slang Me late is used to say you like an idea or a plan, even though 'latir' literally means 'to beat' like a heart.
Examples in context
- Me gusta ese lago.I like that lake.This sentence is useful for practicing with the form me gusta when talking about a lake.Tatoeba #13396138 by Shishir, translation #13359512 by Radek
- Me gusta ese perro.I like that dog.This sentence is useful for practicing with the form me gusta when talking about a dog.Tatoeba #4484314 by cueyayotl, translation #2868959 by CK
- Me gusta ese lugar.I like that place.This sentence is useful for practicing with the form me gusta when talking about a place.Tatoeba #4709907 by DarkHollow, translation #2377469 by CK
- Me gusta eso, es muy chistoso.I like that, it's very funny.
- Esa película me chifla, la he visto cuatro veces.I'm crazy about that movie, I've seen it four times.
- Me late mucho su nuevo carro.I really like your new car.
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are looking at a new painting in a gallery.
- AlejandroMira ese cuadro.Look at that painting.
- ElenaSí, me gusta.Yes, I like that.
- AlejandroEs muy colorido.It is very colorful.
- ElenaA mí también me gusta mucho.I like it a lot too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry me gusta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
