What does it mean word for word?
The phrase me gusta comer literally translates to "to me it is pleasing to eat" rather than a direct translation of "I like to eat".
Which one should you use?
Me chifla comer is a colloquial way to show a stronger fondness or enthusiasm for eating, while ¡Me apasiona comer! is an informal way to express a deep passion for food.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, people often use Me encanta comer. In Spain, you can use Me gusta mucho comer to express a strong liking or the expression Me flipa comer to mean "I love to eat".
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say you like specific foods in the plural, you must change the verb to me gustan (for example, Me gustan las manzanas).
How do you pronounce it?
/me ɡusta komeɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying yo gusto comer. This is a common mistake for English speakers following English word order, but the verb gustar functions differently in Spanish.
Did you know?
- The colloquial me chifla comer uses a verb chiflar that also means 'to whistle', implying a level of excitement that is almost manic.
- The verb comer shares a common ancestor with the English word 'consume', as both stem from the Latin 'comedere', meaning 'to eat up'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying me gusta comer during a meal is often accompanied by the phrase ¡Buen provecho!, which is the equivalent of 'bon appétit'.
Examples in context
- Me gusta comer peras.I like to eat pears.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use me gusta comer with a fruit.Tatoeba #2440320 by marcelostockle, translation #10162582 by ToxicFriu
- Me gusta comer carne.I like to eat meat.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use me gusta comer with a type of meat.Tatoeba #5147674 by don_ramon, translation #5146697 by CarpeLanam
- Me gusta comer sandía.I like to eat watermelon.Tatoeba #402807 by catakaoe, translation #402802 by Hector005
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their weekend plans.
- Lucía¿Quieres ir a un restaurante nuevo?Do you want to go to a new restaurant?
- DanielSí, porque me gusta comer cosas nuevas.Yes, because I like to eat new things.
- LucíaA mí también me encanta la comida italiana.I also love Italian food.
- Daniel¡Perfecto! Vamos entonces.Perfect! Let's go then.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries comer, me, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
