gusto kita
/ɡusˌto kiˈta/
The phrase "I want you" in Tagalog is gusto kita.
This phrase is used to express that you are romantically attracted to someone. While the word gusto can mean "want" in a material sense, such as wanting an object, using it with the pronoun kita specifically denotes liking or being attracted to a person.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of gusto, meaning "like" or "want" and kita, a pronoun that means "I to you".
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun kita is an enclitic that combines the first person ("I") and second person ("you") into a single word, which indicates the direction of the feeling.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡusˌto kiˈta/
Did you know?
- The word gusto in this phrase is a linguistic traveler that entered Tagalog via Spanish, tracing its ancestry all the way back to the Latin word gustus, which refers to 'taste'.
- To make gusto kita more polite or formal when speaking to an elder or a stranger, Filipinos add the word po to the phrase.
- While gusto kita expresses attraction, Filipinos often use the word pag-ibig to describe the deeper, more selfless concept of 'love'.
Examples in context
- Gusto kita.I want you.
Example conversation
Maria and Juan are talking privately at a park.
- MariaJuan, gusto kita.Juan, I like you.
- JuanTalaga? Gusto rin kita.Really? I like you too.
- MariaSalamat. Kinakabahan ako.Thank you. I was nervous.
- JuanHuwag kang mag-alala.Don't worry.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gusto kita, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gusto, kita, CC BY-SA 4.0.
