Gustar To like to be pleasing Notes Gustar

Gustar To like (to be pleasing)

Notes • Gustar is a Spanish verb we use to express what we like. • It is NOT used as other verbs are, because its literal translation in English is “to be pleasing, ” NOT “to like. ” • For example: – Me gustan los perros. – In English would be: I like the dogs. – But really says The dogs (they) are pleasing to me.

Notes continued • Because of this, we conjugate gustar NOT based on the subject of the sentence, but based on what it is that is pleasing (that is liked). • In the example above, gustar is conjugated in the third person plural to reflect the group of dogs that are liked. – Me gustan los perros. – I like the dogs. – (The dogs are pleasing to me. )

Liking activities • You can also use gustar to talk about things you like to do. – Me gusta comer una merienda. – I like to eat a snack. • (Eating a snack is pleasing to me). – Me gusta jugar al fútbol. – I like to play soccer. • (Playing soccer is pleasing to me)

Liking one thing • In the previous examples, gustar is used as “gusta” because only ONE thing is liked. – Me gusta comer una merienda. – I like to eat a snack. • (Eating a snack is pleasing to me).

Liking more than one thing • HOWEVER, if MORE than one thing is liked, you use gustan. – Me gustan los perros. – I like the dogs. – (The dogs are pleasing to me. ) **Gustar changed not because the subject (I) changed, but because the number/amount of things liked changed.