Los Infinitivos y GUSTAR
Los Infinitivos In Spanish, an infinitive is a verb with the “ar” “er” or “ir” on the end of it. In english, infinitves sound like: –t–to run (correr) –t–to swim (nadar) –t–to ride a bike (montar en bicicleta) –t–to eat (comer) –t–to drink (beber) –t–to write (escribir) In Spanish, there are 3 types of infinitives. Those that end in: –a–ar –e–er –i–ir
Me gusta/Te gusta/Le gusta + infinitive To say that I like to do something, use: –M–Me gusta + infinitive Me gusta correr. To say that you like to do something, use: –T–Te gusta + infinitive Te gusta bailar. To say that he/she/you (formal) like(s) to do something, use: –A–A él/A ella/A usted le gusta + infinitive A él le gusta cantar. A ella le gusta estudiar. A usted le gusta trabajar.
So, now we can say: Gustavo likes to run. –A Gustavo le gusta correr Juan likes to swim. –A Juan le gusta nadar. I like to dance. –Me gusta bailar. You like to go to school. –Te gusta ir a la escuela. I like to ride a horse. –Me gusta montar a caballo. Isabel likes to eat. –A–A Isabel le gusta comer. Roberto likes to skateboard. –A–A Roberto le gusta montar en monopatín. You like to ski. –T–Te gusta esquiar. I like to use the computer. –M–Me gusta usar la computadora. Paco likes to read. –A–A Paco le gusta leer.
To ask a question, just insert ¿? In Spanish, the word “does” and “do” are built into the question when ¿? are inserted. –I–In other words, there isn’t a word for “does” and “do” in Spanish when asking a question. SO… –¿–¿Te gusta bailar? means: DO you like to dance? –N–Notice there is no word for DO in the question. –¿–¿Le gusta comer? means DOES he/she like to eat? –A–Again, there is no word for DOES in the question.
Do you (informal) like to swim in the ocean with sharks? –¿–¿Te gusta nadar en el océano con los tiburones? Sí, me gusta mucho nadar en el océano con los tiburones. Does Sarah like to study? –¿–¿A Sara le gusta estudiar? No, Sara no le gusta estudiar. Does Thomas like to eat at McDonalds? –¿–¿A Tomás le gusta comer en McDonalds? Sí, a Tomas le gusta comer en McDonalds. Do you (formal) like to ski? –¿–¿A usted le gusta esquiar? Sí, me gusta esquiar mucho.