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.”

English ExamplePrep. Object PronounIndirect Object PronounSpanish Equivalent
I like reading.meA me gusta leer.
You like reading. (singular informal)titeA ti te gusta leer.
He likes reading.élleA él le gusta leer.
She likes reading.ellaleA ella le gusta leer.
You like reading. (singular formal)ustedleA usted le gusta leer.
We like reading.nosotros/-asnosA nosotros nos gusta leer.
You like reading. (plural informal)vosotros/-asosA vosotros os gusta leer.
They like reading.ellos/ellaslesA ellos les gusta leer.
You like reading. (plural formal)ustedeslesA ustedes les gusta leer.

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:

VerbMeaningExample
aburrirto boreMe aburren los videojuegos.Video games are boring to me.
agradarto pleaseNos agrada el lugar.We like the place.
alegrarto gladden¿Te alegra estudiar?Do you like studying?
bastarto be enoughA él eso le basta.That’s enough for him.
caer biento like or to get alongMe cae bien tu amigo.I like your friend.
caer malto not like or to not get alongNos caen mal estos políticos.We don’t like these politicians.
convenirto suit or to be convenientLlámame si te conviene.Call me if it is convenient for you.
costarto cost or to be difficultMe cuesta aprender inglés.I find it difficult to learn English.
interesarto interestNo me interesa el tema.I am not interested in the topic.
dar ascoto be disgustedMe da asco tu comportamiento.Your behavior disgusts me.
disgustarto disgustMe disgustan esos problemas.Those problems disgust me.
dolerto be painfulA ella le duele la espalda.She has back pain.
encantarto love somethingMe encanta este restaurante.I love this restaurant.
faltarto be lackingMe falta un libro más.I am missing one more book.
fascinarto fascinateA ella le fascina el hockey.Hockey fascinates her.
hacer faltato be missing¿Te hace falta algo?Do you need something?
importarto be importantNo me importa.I don’t care.
molestarto botherTe llamo si no te molesta.I’ll call you if it doesn’t bother you.
parecerto seemMe parece interesante.It seems interesting to me.
resultar[1]to findMe resulta muy interesante el tema.I find the topic very interesting.
tocar[2]to be one’s turn or responsibilityMe toca traer la comida.It’s my turn to bring food.
volver locoto be crazy aboutMe vuelven loco los gatos.I am crazy about cats.

[1] The verb “resultar” also means “to result in” or “to turn out to be, e.g., “La cirugía puede resultar en efectos secundarios” (The surgery can result in side effects).

[2] The verb “tocar” has several other meanings, such as “to touch, “to play (music), “to ring (bell), “to knock (on door), and “to honk (horn).

Quiz: Verbs Like “Gustar” in Spanish

Spanish: Verbs Like "Gustar"

1 / 6

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

SP: Llámame si .

Accented letters (if needed):

á é í ó ú ñ ü

2 / 6

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

SP: muy interesante el tema.

Accented letters (if needed):

á é í ó ú ñ ü

3 / 6

3. I am responsible for bringing food.

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

SP: traer la comida.

Accented letters (if needed):

á é í ó ú ñ ü

4 / 6

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

SP: los gatos.

Accented letters (if needed):

á é í ó ú ñ ü

5 / 6

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

SP: interesante.

Accented letters (if needed):

á é í ó ú ñ ü

6 / 6

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

SP: aprender inglés.

Accented letters (if needed):

á é í ó ú ñ ü

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