me gusta surfear
/me ɡusta suɾfeaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I like to surf" is translated into Spanish as me gusta surfear.
This phrase is used to express that a person enjoys the sport of riding waves on a surfboard. You can also use the common alternative me gusta hacer surf to express the same idea.
Which one should you use?
While me gusta surfear and me gusta hacer surf both express the enjoyment of the activity, if you want to express that you like the physical object rather than the sport itself, you should use me gusta la tabla de surf.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions, especially in Spain, the expression me flipa el surf is a popular way to say "I love surfing!" Additionally, the verb molar is frequently used in casual conversation in Spain, as seen in the phrase me mola surfear.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase me gusta surfear utilizes the indirect object pronoun me (to me) with the verb gustar (to be pleasing). A literal translation of the construction is "surfing is pleasing to me".
How do you pronounce it?
/me ɡusta suɾfeaɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spain, the verb flipar is used in the phrase me flipa el surf to express an intense passion, though it originally referred to the sensation of being under the influence of drugs.
- The word molar, used in me mola surfear, is an informal term in Spain that originally meant 'to grind' or 'to crush' before it became a synonym for 'to be cool'.
- The verb surfear is a linguistic 'loanword' that has been adapted into Spanish by adding the Spanish suffix '-ear' to the English word 'surf'.
Examples in context
- Me gusta surfear rápidamente.I like to surf quickly.
- Me gusta surfear porque me relaja.I like to surf because it relaxes me.
- Me gusta surfear en las mañanas.I like to surf in the mornings.
- Cuando voy a la playa, me gusta surfear.When I go to the beach, I like to surf.
- A ella le encanta el mar y me gusta surfear.She loves the sea and I like to surf.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their weekend plans at the beach.
- Lucía¿Vas a la playa con nosotros mañana?Are you going to the beach with us tomorrow?
- AlejandroSí, porque me gusta surfear cuando hay olas.Yes, because I like to surf when there are waves.
- Lucía¡Qué divertido! Yo prefiero nadar.How fun! I prefer to swim.
- AlejandroNo hay problema, Lucía, nos vemos allí.No problem, Lucía, see you there.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries me, surfear, CC BY-SA 4.0.
