a alguien le gusta algo
/a alɡjen le ɡusta alɡo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase for "someone likes something" is a alguien le gusta algo.
This phrase is used when a person finds a particular thing pleasant or appealing. Depending on the intensity of the feeling, you might use different expressions. If you want to say someone loves something, you can use a alguien le encanta algo, which follows the same grammatical rules. For more informal or extreme feelings, you might use Le chifla (he/she is crazy about) or Se vuelve loco/a por (he/she goes crazy for).
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, a alguien le gusta algo translates to "to someone it is pleasing something."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, people often use the verb molar to express likes. In Argentina, the verb copar is used informally to express a strong liking.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is structured so that the thing being liked is the subject, and the person who likes it is the indirect object. This is also the case for the verb encantar.
How do you pronounce it?
/a alɡjen le ɡusta alɡo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say alguien gusta algo. In Spanish, you must include the preposition a and the indirect object pronoun le (e.g., a alguien le gusta algo).
Did you know?
- The word alguien likely evolved as a blend of alguno and quien and was found in documents as early as 1247.
- Because gustar describes what is pleasing to a person rather than what a person does, the verb changes based on the object. You use gusta for one thing but gustan if you like multiple things.
- Because the person is an indirect object, you can omit the a alguien part entirely if the context is clear, leaving only the pronoun le to carry the meaning.
Examples in context
- A ella le agrada la música clásicaShe likes classical music
- Le chifla el cine de acciónHe/she is crazy about action movies
- Se vuelve loca por los gatosShe goes crazy for cats
- Me mola el fútbolI like soccer
- Me cae bien MiguelI like Miguel
- Me copa el rockI love rock music
- Le gusta bailarHe/she likes to dance
- A él le encanta la playaHe loves the beach
- Le chifla el chocolateHe/she is crazy about chocolate
- A ella le agrada la lecturaShe likes reading
- A alguien le gusta algo en la tienda.Someone likes something in the store.
- A alguien le gusta algo de la música nueva.Someone likes something about the new music.
- Parece que a alguien le gusta algo de este libro.It seems someone likes something about this book.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, algo, alguien, le, CC BY-SA 4.0.
