How to Say "I Like To" in Spanish

me gusta

/me ˈɡusta/

In Spanish, the phrase for "I like to" is me gusta.

The phrase me gusta is used to express that someone enjoys performing a particular activity.

What does it mean word for word?

Literally, me gusta translates to "it pleases me" rather than "I like it."

The expressions Me chifla and Me mola are mostly used in Spain.

When you use me gusta followed by an infinitive verb to say "I like to [do something]", the verb stays in its dictionary form.

/me ˈɡusta/

English speakers often mistakenly say yo gusto when they mean "I like". In Spanish, the thing being liked is actually the subject of the sentence.

If you are talking about a person you find attractive, you might say me gusta to mean 'I am attracted to them' rather than just liking their personality.
The word me is inherited from the Latin 'mē' and was influenced by the Vulgar Latin 'mi'.
If you want to sound more intense, you can say me encanta instead of me gusta. While me gusta is 'I like', me encanta is closer to 'I love' or 'I am enchanted by' it.

Eso me gusta oír.
That's what I like to hear.
This example shows how to use me gusta to express what you like to hear.
Tatoeba #7917964 by fpp, translation #3726260 by CM
Me gusta ser feliz.
I like to be happy.
This example shows how to use me gusta to express a desire to be happy.
Tatoeba #6813293 by arh, translation #6813429 by Ricardo14
Me gusta ir al cine.
I like to go to the movies.
This example shows how to use me gusta to express a liking for going to the movies.
Tatoeba #483360 by Eckhardtgabriel, translation #707451 by papabear
Me gusta bailar
I like to dance
Me encanta leer libros
I love reading books
Me fascina pintar
I am fascinated by painting
Me chifla bailar salsa
I absolutely love dancing salsa
Me mola ir al cine
I really like going to the movies
210 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two friends are discussing their weekend hobbies.

Sources

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