me gusta el
/me ɡusta el/from spelling rules
me gusta el is the Spanish way to say 'I like the'.
This phrase is used to express a preference or fondness for a specific masculine noun. The singular article la is used in front of feminine nouns.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase me gusta el literally translates to 'to me it is pleasing the'.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the object being liked is masculine and plural, you must change the phrase to me gustan los. Additionally, you can change the pronoun to express different subjects: Te gusta means 'You like' and Le gusta means 'He/She likes'.
How do you pronounce it?
/me ɡusta el/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying yo gusto el by attempting to translate the English word 'I' directly. In Spanish, the thing being liked is the subject that 'pleases' you.
Did you know?
- When using this phrase to talk about people, it often functions as a polite euphemism. Saying me gusta about someone is a common way to suggest you find them physically attractive or have a 'crush' on them.
- The word el in this phrase evolved from the Latin word ille, which originally meant 'that' rather than 'the'.
- While me gusta el is used for preferences, the word gusto also means 'taste' in the sense of flavor or a person's aesthetic style.
Examples in context
- Me gusta el azul.I like the blue.This sentence shows how to use me gusta el with a color.Tatoeba #3445611 by ulymarrero, translation #3447186 by macaboy
- Me gusta el perro.I like the dog.This sentence shows how to use me gusta el with an animal.Tatoeba #712050 by Shishir, translation #48293 by CK
- Me gusta el calor.I like the heat.This sentence shows how to use me gusta el with a sensation.Tatoeba #2932029 by marcelostockle, translation #2377474 by CK
- Me gusta el libro.I like the book.
- Me gusta la música.I like the music.
- Me gustan las flores.I like flowers.
- Me mola esa película.I like that movie.
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are discussing their favorite foods.
- AlejandroMe gusta el chocolate.I like the chocolate.
- SofíaA mí también me encanta.I love it too.
- Alejandro¿Y a ti te gusta el café?And do you like the coffee?
- SofíaNo, prefiero el té.No, I prefer the tea.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, me, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
