Caer Bien, Caer Mal

Me cae mal el profesor nuevo. I dislike the new professor.
No me cae bien el profesor nuevo. I do not like the new professor.
No me cae mal el profesor. I  do not dislike the professor.
What is the difference between these statements?  It is a subtle difference.  Think about the statements in English and what they imply to you.  One is more ACTIVE than the other:  To say you do not like a person is not to say that you DISLIKE them - you may simply feel neutral or have no real opinion.  You don't put that person into a category with people you LIKE or want to be with. To say you DISLIKE a person is stronger - it means you have an active negative feeling.

Use Caer when discussing friends or acquaintances, because when you use Gustar in reference to human beings, it connotes a physical attraction:

Me gustan los hombres morenos. I am attracted to dark-haired men.
            To ask about someone's romantic interest in you, try ¿Me quieres?  or  ¿Me amas?
 
Avoid the error of *Me gusto - this implies you are physically appealing to yourself which is probably not what you mean to say.
Copyright © 2000 Deborah R. Lemon. All rights reserved.
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