What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "to me it is pleasing to paint". In this construction, me serves as the indirect object and gusta means "is pleasing".
Which one should you use?
While me gusta pintar is the standard way to say you like to paint, you can use Me encanta pintar to mean "I love to paint" or Me gusta pintar mucho to say "I really like to paint". For a more formal way to emphasize a deep connection or affinity for the art, you might say Tengo afinidad por la pintura.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this Spanish construction, the subject of the sentence is the activity of painting (the infinitive pintar) rather than the person who likes it.
How do you pronounce it?
/me ɡusta pintaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying yo gusto pintar. This is a common error for English speakers. Instead, use the indirect object construction me gusta pintar.
Did you know?
- While me gusta pintar refers to the hobby, the word pintar is also used in slang to mean 'to be relevant' or 'to matter', such as in the phrase no pinto nada aquí, meaning 'I have no say here'.
- Depending on the region, pintar can be used as a colloquial way to describe something that is likely to happen or is 'in the air', similar to the English 'looks like'.
- The word pintar comes from the Latin pingere, which is the same root that gave English the word 'pigment'.
Examples in context
- Me gusta pintar paisajes.I like to paint landscapes.
- A veces me gusta pintar con acuarelas.Sometimes I like to paint with watercolors.
- Me gusta pintar en mi tiempo libre.I like to paint in my free time.
Example conversation
María and Javier are talking about their hobbies at a cafe.
- María¿Qué haces en tu tiempo libre, Javier?What do you do in your free time, Javier?
- JavierMe gusta leer, ¿y a ti, María?I like to read, and you, María?
- MaríaA mí me gusta pintar.I like to paint.
- Javier¡Qué bueno! Es un arte muy bonito.That's great! It is a very beautiful art.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries me, pintar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
