What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "it pleases me your outfit" because the verb gustar functions as "to be pleasing to".
Which one should you use?
While me gusta tu atuendo is a correct way to say "I like your outfit", it sounds more formal or sophisticated than the more common me gusta cómo te ves (I like how you look).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual conversation, using ropa is a much more common and natural way to say "I like your clothes/outfit" in casual conversation, such as in the phrase me gusta tu ropa (I like your clothes). For a formal situation, you may use me gusta su atuendo to say "I like your outfit" or está usted muy bien vestido/a to say "You are dressed very well". In very informal settings, you might say me encanta tu outfit to mean "I love your outfit" or ¡qué guapo/a te ves con ese atuendo! to say "How handsome/pretty you look in that outfit!"
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase me gusta tu atuendo is used when referring to a single outfit.
Did you know?
- The word atuendo shares a surprising ancestor with the word atónito, which means 'stunned' or 'dazed'.
- When complimenting a specific item, it is a very common social custom in many Spanish-speaking countries to immediately follow the compliment with ¿Dónde lo compraste? to ask where it was purchased.
- While atuendo is a standard word, the English loanword 'outfit' is frequently used in modern Spanish, especially among young people and in fashion contexts.
Example conversation
Daniel and María meet at a party.
- DanielHola María, me gusta tu atuendo.Hi María, I like your outfit.
- MaríaGracias Daniel, es nuevo.Thanks Daniel, it is new.
- DanielTe queda muy bien.It looks very good on you.
- MaríaQué amable, gracias.How kind, thank you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries atuendo, me, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
