Spanish 3.1. Verbs Like “Gustar”

Some expressions use a different sentence structure in Spanish compared to that used in English to express the same meaning. The most common example is the use of verbs like “gustar” (to please) in Spanish. Let us examine this sentence in Spanish:

Me gusta el auto.

This is often translated as: “I like the car.”

A more accurate and literal translation would be:

“The car is pleasing to me.”

Note that the verb conjugation is in the third-person singular form because “el auto” is the subject that does the act of pleasing, and “me” is the object. Thus, the conjugation of the verb “gustar” must agree with the subject “el auto.”

Let us take another example. If you want to say that someone is interested in ancient cultures, the best way to say that is:

Le interesan las culturas antiguas.

Here, we use the verb “interesar” (to interest), and the sentence is translated as:

“Ancient cultures interest him (or her).”

Note that the verb is conjugated as “interesan” because “las culturas antiguas” is the subject, and “le” is the object. Thus, the conjugation of the verb “interesar” must agree with the subject “las culturas antiguas.”

As you can see, we use the indirect object “le” to express the meaning “to him” or “to her,” that is, that the ancient cultures interest him or her. However, remember that “le” can also mean “to him,” “to her,” or even “to you” (formal). To remove ambiguity, one might optionally say:

“A María le interesan las culturas antiguas,” or “A ella le interesan las culturas antiguas.”

This is translated as:

“Ancient cultures interest María,” or “Ancient cultures interest her.”

More Examples using the Verb “Gustar”

Below are more examples of expressions with the verb “gustar.”

Note again how the verb “gustar” does not change conjugation in the examples above because “leer” (to read) is singular; thus, it takes the second-person conjugation “gusta.”

In cases where ambiguity is not an issue, the introductory “a + prepositional object pronoun” can be omitted, e.g., “A mí me gusta leer” is just an emphasis of “Me gusta leer,” and both mean “I like reading.”

The verb “gustar” is used to express the liking of things rather than of persons. If said about a person, it usually has a physical or sexual meaning to the act of liking, e.g., “Me gustan las mujeres altas” (I like tall women). If you want to express the liking of a person for his traits, use the verb “caer bien” (to like, to suit, or to get along), e.g., “Me cae bien Julio. Él es una buena persona” (I like Julio. He is a good person).

Other Verbs Similar to “Gustar”

Here is a list of verbs like “gustar” that are common in Spanish:

Quiz: Verbs Like “Gustar” in Spanish

Spanish: Verbs Like "Gustar"

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1. I find it difficult to learn English. (to be difficult = costar)

SP: aprender inglés.

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You may know that the verb "costar" means "to cost", e.g., "Esta camisa cuesta 20 euros." (This shirt costs 20 euros.)

Another meaning is "to be difficult" and it acts like the verb "gustar". It can be hard to translate word by word into English.

In this example, "Me cuesta aprender inglés.", the subject here is "aprender inglés" and it is being difficult on "me", which is the object.

You may know that the verb "costar" means "to cost", e.g., "Esta camisa cuesta 20 euros." (This shirt costs 20 euros.)

Another meaning is "to be difficult" and it acts like the verb "gustar". It can be hard to translate word by word into English.

In this example, "Me cuesta aprender inglés.", the subject here is "aprender inglés" and it is being difficult on "me", which is the object.

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2. It seems interesting to me. (to seem = paracer)

SP: interesante.

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Because it is a verb like "gustar", you can think of  the subject "it" appearing or seeming interesting to "me", which is the object.

Because it is a verb like "gustar", you can think of  the subject "it" appearing or seeming interesting to "me", which is the object.

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3. I am responsible for bringing food.

(te be responsible for, or to be one's turn = tocar)

SP: traer la comida.

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You can think of it like saying: "Bringing the food as a responsibility falls on me." You can see that "bringing the food" is doing the act of the subject on "me". You may find it unconventional to say it this way, but this is how it is said in Spanish.

You can think of it like saying: "Bringing the food as a responsibility falls on me." You can see that "bringing the food" is doing the act of the subject on "me". You may find it unconventional to say it this way, but this is how it is said in Spanish.

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4. I find the topic very interesting. (to find = resultar)

SP: muy interesante el tema.

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The verb “resultar” can mean “to result in” or “to turn out to be”, e.g. “El tema resultó muy difícil.” (The topic turned out to be very difficult.)

Another meaning is "to find" and it acts like the verb "gustar". It can be hard to translate word by word into English.

In this example, "Me resulta muy interesante el tema.", the subject is "el tema" and is making an appearance, so to speak, that is found intersting by "me", which is the object.

The verb “resultar” can mean “to result in” or “to turn out to be”, e.g. “El tema resultó muy difícil.” (The topic turned out to be very difficult.)

Another meaning is "to find" and it acts like the verb "gustar". It can be hard to translate word by word into English.

In this example, "Me resulta muy interesante el tema.", the subject is "el tema" and is making an appearance, so to speak, that is found intersting by "me", which is the object.

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5. I am crazy about cats. (to be crazy about = volver loco)

SP: los gatos.

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Note that the verb conjugation is “vuelven”, because “los gatos” is the subject, and “me” is the object. Thus, the conjugation of the verb “volver” must agree with the subject “los gatos”.

A more literal translation would be: "The cats turn me crazy."

Note that the verb conjugation is “vuelven”, because “los gatos” is the subject, and “me” is the object. Thus, the conjugation of the verb “volver” must agree with the subject “los gatos”.

A more literal translation would be: "The cats turn me crazy."

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6. Call me if it is convenient for you.  (to be convenient = convenir)

SP: Llámame si .

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Note that the verb conjugation is “conviene”, because “it” is the subject, and “te” is the object. Thus, the conjugation of the verb “convenir” must agree with the subject “it”.

We use the indirect object “te” to express the meaning “for you”.

Note that the verb conjugation is “conviene”, because “it” is the subject, and “te” is the object. Thus, the conjugation of the verb “convenir” must agree with the subject “it”.

We use the indirect object “te” to express the meaning “for you”.

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