me gustaría
/me ɡustaɾia/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I would like to" can be expressed in Spanish as me gustaría.
me gustaría is a polite way to express a wish or a desire to do something. It is commonly used in formal contexts to mean "I would like".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "to me it would be pleasing" because it uses the indirect object pronoun me and the conditional form of the verb gustar.
Which one should you use?
While quiero means "I want", me gustaría is a softer, more polite way to express a desire, similar to "I would like" in English.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action you would like to perform, use the structure me gustaría followed directly by an infinitive (the unconjugated form of a verb). If you wish to change the subject from "I" to "he", "she" or "you (formal)", change the pronoun me to le to say le gustaría.
How do you pronounce it?
/me ɡustaɾia/
Did you know?
- If you are asking a waiter for something, using me gustaría might make you sound like you are dreaming or expressing a hypothetical wish rather than making a standard order.
- If you use the phrase to talk about a collection of items, such as 'I would like some books', the verb changes from gustaría to gustarían to agree with the books instead of you.
- The word gustar shares a root with the English word 'gustatory', which relates to the sense of taste, reflecting the original idea of something being 'pleasing' to the palate.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría ir a verte.I would like to come and see you.This sentence is useful for practicing how to say you would like to go and see someone using me gustaría.Tatoeba #758531 by Shishir, translation #20178 by CC
- Me gustaría beber algo.I would like to drink something.This sentence is useful for practicing how to say you would like to drink something using me gustaría.Tatoeba #2711506 by caiser, translation #945996 by sacredceltic
- Me gustaría vivir aquí.I would like to live here.This sentence is useful for practicing how to say you would like to live in a specific place using me gustaría.Tatoeba #10521492 by Seael, translation #10521470 by Hybrid
- Me gustaría reservar una mesa para dos, por favor.I would like to book a table for two, please.
- Me gustaría pedir información sobre los programas de estudios.I would like to request information about the study programs.
- Quisiera hacer una reserva para el vuelo de mañana.I would like to make a reservation for tomorrow's flight.
- Quisiera solicitar una reunión con el director, por favor.I would like to request a meeting with the director, please.
- Desearía comprar ese libro que está en la vitrina.I would like to buy that book in the display case.
- Desearía conocer más acerca de su empresa y sus servicios.I would like to learn more about your company and its services.
- Me gustaría ir al cine esta noche. ¿Quieres acompañarme?I would like to go to the movies tonight. Do you want to come along?
- Me gustaría probar esa nueva cafetería del centro.I would like to try that new café downtown.
- 155 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Alejandro are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- MaríaMe gustaría comer pizza hoy.I would like to eat pizza today.
- AlejandroSuena bien, María. ¿Dónde quieres ir?Sounds good, María. Where do you want to go?
- MaríaMe gustaría ir al lugar nuevo.I would like to go to the new place.
- AlejandroPerfecto, Alejandro irá contigo.Perfect, Alejandro will go with you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
