How to Use 'Gustar'
Spanish: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 9.2.1
Form and Use
'Gustar' is 'to like'. 'Gustar' uses indirect object pronouns to show the person who is 'liking' the object. It is formed as follows: indirect object pronoun + 'gusta/gustan' + what is liked. Whenever needed or used, the subject must be used after ‘a’.
Indirect object pronouns
- (Yo) me.
- (Tú) te.
- (Él/ella/usted) le.
- (Nosotros/nosotras) nos.
- (Vosotros/vosotras) os.
- (Ellos/ellas/ustedes) les.
'Gusta'
- 'Gusta' is used with singular nouns, infinitives and 'que' clauses.
- You can use any indirect object pronoun with 'gusta'.
- Me gusta el chocolate.
- I like chocolate.
- Te gusta leer.
- You like to read.
- Les gusta el pastel.
- They like cake.
'Gustan'
- 'Gustan' is followed by plural nouns.
- You can use any indirect object pronoun with 'gustan'.
- Me gustan las comedías.
- I like comedies.
- Os gustan los gatos.
- You like cats.
When do we use 'a + person'?
- To clarify who likes something (since 'le' and 'les' can be ambiguous).
- To add emphasis or contrast.
- A Juan le gusta el fútbol.
- Juan likes football.
- A mí me gusta el chocolate.
- I like chocolate. (emphasizing 'me')
- A ellos les gustan los libros.
- They like books.
Similar Verbs to 'Gustar'
These verbs work like 'gustar'. They are used as follows 'indirect object pronoun + verb + noun/verb(infinitive)/clause'. These verbs will be used only in the third singular and third plural form.
Parecer - to seem
- Me parece muy bien.
- It seems very good.
- Nos parece que debemos comer.
- It seems to us that we should eat.
Apetecer - to fancy, to feel like
- Le apetece escuchar música.
- He feels like listening to music.
- Me apetece ir a Colombia.
- I fancy going to Colombia.
Remember
- Remember that you can use 'a' to:
- To clarify who likes something (since 'le' and 'les' can be ambiguous).
- To add emphasis or contrast.
- A mí me apetece comer pizza.
- I feel like eating pizza.
- A ella le parece bien.
- It seems fine to her.
Test yourself on How to Use 'Gustar'
How do you say 'I like sport' in Spanish?
How do you say 'he likes animals' in Spanish?
How do you say 'I feel like saying' in Spanish?