gustar
/ɡusˈtaɾ/
In Spanish, 'like' is expressed by the verb gustar.
Other ways to express 'like' or 'to be like' include Parecerse a for 'to resemble' or 'to be like', and como to mean 'such as' or 'for example' when introducing suggestions. To say 'in the way that', you can use De la manera que or De la forma que.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, gustar means 'to be pleasing to' rather than 'to like'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the word como may mean 'because' or 'since'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb gustar is conjugated to match the thing being liked, rather than the person doing the liking. Use the form gustan if the things being liked are plural. To say 'I like' something, use the indirect object pronoun 'me' with the verb, resulting in me gusta. To express that he, she or you (formal) likes something, use le gusta.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡusˈtaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use Yo gusto to mean 'I like'. In Spanish, Yo gusto would actually mean 'I am pleasing' to someone else.
Did you know?
- When used with people, me gustas implies a romantic or sexual attraction, whereas me caes bien is used to say you simply like someone's personality as a friend.
- While gustar describes being pleased by something, Spanish uses the verb encantar to describe 'loving' or 'really liking' something, which literally means 'to enchant'.
- The verb gustar shares its roots with the English word 'gustatory', which refers to the sense of taste.
Examples in context
- Te va a gustar.You're going to like it.This sentence is useful for saying 'You're going to like it' using gustar.Tatoeba #3567391 by hayastan, translation #3345304 by CK
- No le va a gustar.He won't like that.This sentence is useful for saying 'He won't like that' using gustar.Tatoeba #4477291 by Shishir, translation #4474992 by AlanF_US
- Esto no le gustará.He won't like this.Tatoeba #2042182 by Shishir, translation #1547504 by CK
- Me gusta cocinar como mi madre.I like to cook like my mother.
- Me gusta la música clásica.I like classical music.
- Me encanta el chocolate.I love chocolate.
- Me parezco a mi hermana.I resemble my sister.
- Camina como si estuviera flotando.He walks as if he were floating.
- Hazlo de la manera que te explicé.Do it in the way that I explained.
- Tenemos deliciosas frutas como manzana, naranja y plátano.We have delicious fruits like apple, orange, and banana.
- Deberías visitar ciudades hermosas como París o Roma.You should visit beautiful cities like Paris or Rome.
- 1122 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are talking about a new movie.
- Mateo¿Te va a gustar la película, Elena?Are you going to like the movie, Elena?
- ElenaSí, me gusta mucho el actor principal.Yes, I like the lead actor a lot.
- MateoA mí también me gusta su trabajo.I like his work too.
- ElenaSeguro que nos va a gustar.I'm sure we are going to like it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gustar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gustar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
