me gusta cantar
/me ɡusta kantaɾ/from spelling rules
To say "I like to sing" in Spanish, you use me gusta cantar.
The phrase me gusta cantar is used when a person expresses that they enjoy the activity of singing.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, me gusta cantar translates to "to me it is pleasing to sing".
Which one should you use?
While me gusta cantar expresses a general liking, you can use me encanta cantar if you want to express a stronger feeling of enjoyment, which translates to "I love to sing".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, you can use the slang Me copa cantar to say you like to sing. In Spain, you can use the informal phrase Me mola cantar to say you like to sing or Me flipa cantar to express that you very much like or are excited about singing.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the verb gustar is used such that the thing being liked (singing) acts as the subject, while the person who likes it (me) acts as the indirect object.
How do you pronounce it?
/me ɡusta kantaɾ/
Did you know?
- The Argentine slang me copa cantar uses a word that originally referred to a wine glass or a trophy.
- The word mola in me mola cantar historically referred to a millstone before it became a way to say something is cool.
- The Spanish word cantar shares the same Latin ancestor as the English word 'chant', meaning both words are fundamentally linked to the act of rhythmic or melodic vocalization.
Examples in context
- Me gusta cantarle a mi tortuga.I like to sing to my turtle.This sentence shows how to use me gusta cantar when singing to someone else.Tatoeba #10693114 by Seael, translation #9867814 by shekitten
- Me gusta cantar.I like to sing.This sentence is a simple statement of the phrase me gusta cantar.Tatoeba #532517 by Shishir, translation #256531 by CK
- Eres la clase de guitarrista con el que me gusta cantar.You are the kind of guitarist I like to sing with.This sentence shows how to use me gusta cantar in the context of singing with a guitarist.Tatoeba #1001043 by Shishir, translation #954725 by CK
- Me gusta cantar en el coroI like to sing in the choir
- Me encanta cantar en los conciertosI love to sing in concerts
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are talking about their musical hobbies at a cafe.
- SofíaA mí me gusta cantar en la ducha.I like to sing in the shower.
- Alejandro¡Qué divertido! A mí me gusta tocar la guitarra.How fun! I like to play the guitar.
- Sofía¿Quieres cantar conmigo alguna vez?Do you want to sing with me sometime?
- AlejandroSí, me encantaría, Sofía.Yes, I would love to, Sofia.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cantar, me, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
