me solía gustar
/me solia ɡustaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'I used to like' is expressed in Spanish as me solía gustar.
This phrase is used to describe a preference or liking that existed in the past but no longer does.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'it used to please me' because 'gustar' functions like 'to be pleasing to'.
Which one should you use?
While me solía gustar emphasizes the habit or the continuity of the liking, me gustaba is the more standard way to describe a past state of preference.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, people might use the phrase Solía gustarme el mate, pero ahora prefiero el café.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because 'gustar' is a verb that takes an indirect object, the phrase must be preceded by an indirect object pronoun like me (to me), te (to you) or le (to him/her). The imperfect indicative me gustaba is a very common and natural way to express 'I used to like' in Spanish.
Did you know?
- While gustar is the standard word for 'like' today, the phrase uses a verb that originally meant 'to taste' in Latin.
- Because gustar works like 'to be pleasing', Spanish speakers can use it to describe being 'attracted to' someone in a romantic way.
- Because gustar works by saying something is pleasing to you, the verb's conjugation actually depends on the thing you liked, not on you. If you used to like many things, you would say me gustaban.
Examples in context
- Una banda que me solía gustar lanzó un álbum nuevo la semana pasada, así que le di una escucha, pero su estilo nuevo fue decepcionante.A band I used to like released a new album last week, so I gave it a listen, but their new sound was really underwhelming.This sentence shows how to use me solía gustar when discussing a band and their changing musical style.Tatoeba #10800048 by DJ_Saidez, translation #10800047 by end
- Solía gustarme el café, pero ahora prefiero el té.I used to like coffee, but now I prefer tea.
- Antes me gustaba cocinar, pero ahora no tengo tiempo.I used to like cooking, but now I don't have time.
- Solía gustarme esa serie, pero luego se volvió aburrida.I used to like that series, but then it became boring.
- Ese tipo de música me solía gustar mucho.I used to like that type of music a lot.
- No es la comida que me solía gustar de niño.It's not the food that I used to like as a child.
Example conversation
Javier and María are talking about their taste in movies.
- JavierMe solía gustar el cine de terror.I used to like horror movies.
- María¿Y ahora ya no te gustan?And now you don't like them anymore?
- JavierNo, ahora me parecen muy aburridas.No, now I find them very boring.
- MaríaA mí me siguen encantando.I still love them.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gustar, me, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
