Me gusta dibujar
/me ɡusta dibuxaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I like to draw" is expressed in Spanish as Me gusta dibujar.
If you are discussing your art tools, you might mention a pincel (brush) or a lienzo (canvas).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Me gusta dibujar literally translates to "To me it is pleasing to draw" because the verb gustar functions as "to be pleasing to".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, an informal way to say "I really like to draw" is Me gusta dibujar un montón.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the sentence Me gusta dibujar, the subject is the infinitive dibujar rather than the person who feels the pleasure.
How do you pronounce it?
/me ɡusta dibuxaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying Yo gusto dibujar to mean "I like to draw". Instead, use Me gusta dibujar, as the verb requires the indirect object pronoun me and must be conjugated based on the thing being liked.
Did you know?
- The verb dibujar originally comes from the Old French word deboissier, which meant to clear land or remove trees from a forest.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you say you enjoy 'dibujar', people might assume you mean sketching with lines rather than painting with colors, which is often reserved for the verb pintar.
- While English users say 'I like' to describe their feelings, the structure of me gusta dibujar mirrors how Spanish speakers describe the taste of food or the smell of a flower, treating the hobby as an external stimulus.
Examples in context
- Me gusta dibujar.I like to draw.This example demonstrates how to use Me gusta dibujar.Tatoeba #10191852 by Shishir, translation #5851887 by CK
- Me gusta dibujar retratos de personas.I like to draw portraits of people.
- Me gusta mucho dibujar caricaturas.I really like drawing cartoons.
- Me gusta dibujar paisajes.I like to draw landscapes.
- No es difícil, me gusta dibujar.It is not difficult, I like to draw.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are talking about their hobbies at a cafe.
- Javier¿Qué haces en tu tiempo libre, Lucía?What do you do in your free time, Lucía?
- LucíaMe gusta dibujar, ¿y a ti?I like to draw, and you?
- JavierA mí me gusta mucho la música.I like music a lot.
- Lucía¡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 dibujar, me, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
