What does it mean word for word?
Literally, me gusta means "it pleases me".
Which one should you use?
While me gusta is the standard way to express preference, you may encounter other forms depending on the context or level of formality. For example, if the thing being liked is plural, you must use me gustan.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, speakers might use the informal alternative me late to convey liking or approval. In Argentina, me copa is a slang alternative for me gusta.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb changes depending on whether the object is singular or plural, and also depends on who is doing the liking. If the thing being liked is plural, you must change the verb to me gustan. To say that someone else likes something, you change the pronoun me to le (for him, her or the formal "you") or nos (for us).
How do you pronounce it?
/me ˈɡusta/
Did you know?
- In Mexico, you might hear me late instead of me gusta. This slang term literally refers to a heartbeat and suggests that something feels right or resonates with the speaker.
- In some romantic contexts, me gustas (the form used for people) can be a more cautious or flirtatious admission than saying te quiero. It signals attraction rather than deep emotional love.
- The pronoun me in this phrase is an indirect object, an evolutionary trait from Vulgar Latin where the dative form 'mihi' was used to show who was being pleased.
Examples in context
- Me agrada la comida tradicional de este paísI like the traditional food of this country
- Tengo gusto por la música clásicaI have a liking for classical music
- Me gusta leerI like to read
- Me gusta esta camisetaI like this t-shirt
- Me late mucho este planI really like this plan
- Me copa esa banda de músicaI like that music band
- Me gusta mucho el chocolateI really like chocolate
- Me gusta la música.I like music.
- Me gusta mucho este café.I really like this coffee.
- No me gusta el frío.I don't like the cold.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are at a music festival.
- Lucía¡Me gusta mucho este festival!I really like this festival!
- MateoA mí también me gusta el ambiente.I like the atmosphere too.
- Lucía¿Te gusta esta canción?Do you like this song?
- MateoSí, es muy buena.Yes, it is very good.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry me gusta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries me, CC BY-SA 4.0.
