What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is structured so that the chocolate is the subject and "me" is the indirect object, meaning the literal translation is "the chocolate enchants me."
Which one should you use?
Me encanta el chocolate expresses a much stronger, more enthusiastic level of liking than me gusta el chocolate, which simply means "I like chocolate."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase Me chifla el chocolate is also used to express a strong liking for chocolate.
How does it change in a sentence?
When talking about a general concept or category, you must use the definite article before the noun, such as el chocolate. The verb must agree with the subject: if you change the subject to a plural noun like "chocolates", the phrase becomes me encantan los chocolates.
How do you pronounce it?
/me enkanta el tʃokolate/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying "yo amo el chocolate" to express a preference for food. While English speakers often use "amo" (from "amar") for this, using encanta is the much more natural way to express a strong preference for food or objects.
Did you know?
- In Spain, you might hear me chifla el chocolate, where chiflar literally means 'to whistle'.
- The Spanish word chocolate is a global wanderer that entered English via Spanish after the beverage was brought from the Americas to Europe.
- The word chocolate comes from the Classical Nahuatl word chocolātl and was first recorded in Spanish in the 1590s.
Examples in context
- Me encanta el chocolate.I love chocolate.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase me encanta el chocolate.Tatoeba #2049377 by Shishir, translation #1856044 by Amastan
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are at a dessert shop.
- AlejandroMaría, ¿quieres probar este postre?María, do you want to try this dessert?
- MaríaSí, me encanta el chocolate.Yes, I love chocolate.
- AlejandroA mí también me encanta.I love it too.
- MaríaEntonces pidamos uno para compartir.Then let's order one to share.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chocolate, el, me, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
