me gusta bailar
/me ɡusta bailaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I like to dance" is translated into Spanish as me gusta bailar.
This phrase is used to express that you enjoy the activity of dancing. If you want to emphasize that you like it a lot, you can say Me gusta bailar mucho (I like to dance a lot). For an even stronger expression of enjoyment, you can use Me encanta bailar, which means "I love to dance".
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, me gusta bailar translates to "to me it is pleasing to dance". This is because the verb gustar functions differently than the English "to like". Rather than you performing the action of liking, the thing itself (dancing) is pleasing to you.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say that you do not like to dance, place the word no directly before the indirect object pronoun me, resulting in no me gusta bailar.
How do you pronounce it?
/me ɡusta bailaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying yo gusto bailar. While this looks like a direct translation of "I like to dance", it is grammatically incorrect in Spanish. You must use the indirect object pronoun me with the verb gustar instead.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word baile is often used in the idiom dar un baile, which can mean to outclass or outmaneuver someone completely.
- The verb bailar shares an ancient root with the Greek word βάλλω, which means 'to throw'. This suggests that, etymologically, dancing was once seen as a series of throwing or rhythmic movements.
- In some regions, if you are asked ¿te gusta bailar?, a common playful response is to simply stand up and offer your hand instead of answering with words.
Examples in context
- Me gusta bailar con Mary.I like to dance with Mary.This example shows how to use me gusta bailar when mentioning a person you dance with.Tatoeba #1767640 by hayastan, translation #1762568 by Amastan
- Me gusta bailar.I like to dance.This example shows the basic way to use me gusta bailar.Tatoeba #4570678 by Shishir, translation #2703859 by CM
- Disfruto bailar. Es una forma de expresión personal y me relaja.I enjoy dancing. It's a way of personal expression and it relaxes me.
- Me gusta bailar mucho. ¡Es mi pasión!I really like to dance, it's my passion!
- Me encanta bailar. Siempre busco lugares con buena música para salir a bailar los sábados por la noche.I love to dance. I always look for places with good music to go dancing on Saturday nights.
- Me gusta bailar flamenco.I like to dance flamenco.
- Disfruto bailar salsa.I enjoy dancing salsa.
- Me encanta bailar tango.I love to dance tango.
- A ella le encanta la música y me gusta bailar.She loves music and I like to dance.
Example conversation
At a party where music is playing.
- Lucía¿Quieres ir a la pista?Do you want to go to the dance floor?
- AlejandroSí, porque me gusta bailar.Yes, because I like to dance.
- Lucía¡Qué bueno! Vamos entonces.That's great! Let's go then.
- Alejandro¡Vamos, Lucía!Let's go, Lucía!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bailar, me, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
