Gustar V. Encantar

This is NOT a regular –AR verb. We have used it before. As we have discussed in Spanish 1, the verb GUSTAR is used to discuss things that a person likes/ enjoys. Por ejemplo: A mí, me gusta la piña. This is NOT a regular –AR verb.

However it doesn’t mean what you think it means. A mí, me gusta la piña. Literally translates to: The pineapple is pleasing to me. The pineapple is liked by me. However, being native English speakers, we change it to make it sound more appropriate. We change it to… I like pineapple. So in essence, I is not the subject of the sentence, The pineapple is. The subject of the Spanish sentence.

How to use GUSTAR The verb GUSTAR does not change based off of WHO is doing the liking but more so WHAT is being liked. So let’s first take a look at how we would change the verb if a SINGULAR item or activity is being enjoyed.

When we use the verb GUSTAR it is important to use the correct Indirect Object Pronoun. (This is the word in front of the Gusta.) ( A mi,) Me gusta – I like (A nosotros,) Nos gusta – We like (A ti, ) Te gusta – You (familiar) like (A vosotros,) Os gusta – Y’all like (A él, ) He likes (A ella,) She likes (A usted,) Le gusta You (formal) like (Al perro) The dog likes (A Juan,) Juan likes (A ellos,) They like (A ellas,) They like (A ustedes,) Les gusta You all like (A los perros,) The dogs like (A Juan y a Marta) Juan and Marta like The information in the parenthesis is not needed but does help to solidify WHO is doing the liking.

ejemplos All of the items that are being liked are singular. Therefore we use GUSTA Verbs/ Activites are singular. I like to run. (A mi,) Me gusta correr. You like math class. (A ti,) Te gusta la clase de matemáticas. Pedro likes pizza. A Pedro, le gusta la pizza. (Here it is important to include the “A Pedro,”)

What if i like more than one thing? If the item being enjoyed is plural simply add an “n” to the GUSTA. Ejemplos Singular Plural (A nosotros) Nos gusta la hambuguesa. (A nosotros) Nos gustan las hamburguesas. We like the hamburger. We like the hamburgers. A Marta, le gusta el chocolate. A Marta, le gustan los chocolates. Marta likes the chocolate. Marta likes the chocolates. Notice how the “Nos” and the “Le” don´t change from Singular to Plural. Only the “Gusta” to a “Gustan”

You give it a try. Translate the following into Spanish. 1) We like to read. 2) Chocolate is pleasing to me. (Be careful with this one!!) 3) You like to run. 4) Juan likes strawberries. (la fresa- strawberry) Las Respuestas (A nosotros) nos gusta leer. (A mi) me gusta el chocolate. (A ti) te gusta correr. A Juan le gustan las fresas. (It´s plural)

For some students, just remember it works backwards. I like coffee. What is being liked? This will be your subject. el café Gustar: Is this singular or plural? Gusta el café Who is doing the liking? A mi, What indirect object pronoun do we use? A mi, me Put it all together: A mi. me gusta el café.

They like the cookies. A ellos, les encantan las galletas. What is being liked? Las galletas Gustar - Singular or Plural form? gustan las galletas Who is doing the liking? A ellos, What direct object pronoun do you use? A ellos, les Put it all together: A ellos, les encantan las galletas.