gusto ko
/ɡusˈto ko/word by word
In Tagalog, "I want" is expressed as gusto ko.
This phrase is used to express a desire or a wish for something. While it is primarily used for "I want," gusto ko is also the standard way to say "I like" a specific thing or person. When you want a specific object, you often follow the phrase with the marker ng, such as in Gusto ko ng tubig for "I want some water". To make your request sound more polite or to soften the tone, you can include the word sana, which translates to "hopefully".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of gusto, meaning "want" or "like" and ko, meaning "I" or "me".
Which one should you use?
To express a much stronger desire or a more intense preference, you can use Gustong-gusto ko.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase gusto ko, the pronoun ko is in the genitive/oblique case, which is the standard way to express possession or desire in this construction.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡusˈto ko/
Did you know?
- In the phrase gusto ko, the word ko actually functions as a possessive, meaning the desire is something the speaker 'possesses' rather than an action they perform.
- When Filipinos use gusto ko to express a crush on someone, they are using the same word for 'want' and 'like' that they use for ordering a glass of water.
- The word gusto is a loanword from Spanish, which originally took it from the Latin word gustus.
Examples in context
- Gusto ko ng parol.I want a lantern.This is useful for expressing a desire for a specific object like a lantern.Tatoeba #11895762 by qwertzu, translation #11895761 by CK
- Gusto ko ng sushi.I want sushi.This shows how to express a desire for a type of food.Tatoeba #13678143 by rain, translation #11870448 by CK
- Gusto ko ng resibo.I want a receipt.This is useful for requesting a specific item like a receipt.Tatoeba #13752072 by qwertzu, translation #11870450 by CK
- Gusto kong pumunta sa sinehan.I want to go to the cinema.
- Nais ko sanang kumain ng adobo.I want to eat adobo [traditional Filipino dish].
- Gustong-gusto ko nang umuwi.I really want to go home.
- Gusto ko kumain ng ice cream.I want to eat ice cream.
- Gusto ko ng kape.I want coffee.
- Gusto ko talaga pumunta sa beach.I really want to go to the beach.
- 190 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jose and Angela are choosing what to eat for lunch.
- JoseGusto ko ng pizza.I want pizza.
- AngelaGusto ko rin ng pizza.I want pizza too.
- JoseSaan tayo bibili?Where shall we buy it?
- AngelaSa malapit na kainan na lang.Just at the nearby eatery.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (gusto, ko) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gusto, ko, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
