What does it mean word for word?
The verb gustar literally translates to 'to be pleasing to'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the verb molar is frequently used to mean 'to like' or 'to be cool'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the verb means 'to be pleasing to', the way you conjugate it depends on the thing being liked rather than the person doing the liking. For example, you use the singular form gusta if the thing being liked is singular and the plural form gustan if the things being liked are plural. To say 'I like', you use the indirect object pronoun me with the verb, such as in the phrase me gusta, which literally means 'it is pleasing to me'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡusˈtaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say Yo gusto algo to mean 'I like something'. In Spanish, you should not use yo (I) as the subject. Instead, remember that the thing being liked is the subject of the sentence.
Did you know?
- The English word 'gustatory', relating to the sense of taste, shares the same Latin root gustāre as the Spanish verb gustar.
- In some Latin American countries, the verb gustar can be used to express a romantic attraction, but it is often seen as much more casual than saying you 'love' someone.
- While 'gustar' is the standard, some dialects use the verb encantar to express a very strong version of 'like', similar to how English uses 'to love' for objects.
Examples in context
- Te va a gustar.You're going to like it.Tatoeba #3567391 by hayastan, translation #3345304 by CK
- No le va a gustar.He won't like that.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 el café.I like coffee.
- Le gusta leer libros.She likes to read books.
- Le gusta el fútbol.He likes soccer.
- Me encantan los animales.I love animals.
- Les encanta la música.They love music.
- Le encanta viajar.She loves to travel.
- Me gusta mucho esa película.I really like that movie.
- ¿Te gusta el nuevo restaurante?Do you like the new restaurant?
- Les gusta salir de fiesta.They like to go partying.
- Me cae muy bien Juan.I really like Juan.
- Me cae mal esa chica.I don't like that girl.
- Les cae bien el nuevo profesor.They like the new teacher.
- Me chifla la música salsa.I really like salsa music.
- ¿Te chiflan los deportes de aventura?Do you really like adventure sports?
- Les chifla ese cantante.They really like that singer.
- Me mola mucho esta canción.I really like this song.
- ¿Te molan los videojuegos?Do you like video games?
- Les mola el nuevo coche.They like the new car.
- Está guay el concierto.The concert is good.
- 1122 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are talking about a new movie.
- Elena¿Te va a gustar la película?Are you going to like the movie?
- JavierSí, creo que me va a gustar.Yes, I think I am going to like it.
- ElenaA Javier también le tiene que gustar.Javier has to like it too.
- JavierSeguro que sí.I'm sure he will.
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.
