Gustar and similar type verbs

Gustar, which means "to like something or something is pleasing to me", is different than the other verbs we have learned so far. Many Spanish verbs work just like English verbs. But Gustar doesn't function in a straight forward "Subject-Verb" manner.

For example, let's look at the verb Querer,"to Want or to Like". To say, "I want my book", we follow the same word order we just used in English "Yo quiero mi libro." Yo is the subject that controls the verb, quiero, and mi libro is the direct object [what I want].

But Gustar doesn't work this way. We cannot say *Yo gusto mi libro. Gustar works a little differently.

With Gustar, the subject is the thing or person that is pleasing to you. In other words, we say

It seems confusing because the subject, mi libro, comes after the verb. Do not let the word order influence you!

Let's look at another example using Gustar: "I like horseback riding."

We need to say: Me gusta montar a caballo.
Remember this is not a direct translation. When I say, Me gusta montar a caballo, I'm really saying "Horseback riding is pleasing to me".

Me is an Indirect Object Pronoun referring to myself - I am whom is being pleased; Montar a Caballo is the real Subject - it is what is pleasing me. Gusta is the active verb and is singular because horseback riding is a concept or an action - at any rate, Montar is an infinitive and infinitives are ALWAYS SINGULAR.

Gustar requires an indirect object pronoun which indicates "to whom" the subject is pleasing:

Me (a mí)

Te (a ti)

Le (a él, a ella, a usted)

Nos (a nosotros)

Les (a ellos/as, a ustedes)

Click here to see the corresponding pronouns in action.

Gustar sentences will always have three components:

#1: an indirect pronoun	#2: A form of Gustar	#3: A subject with a definite article
Me	gusta	el café
Nos	gusta	la música

If the subject (what is pleasing) is singular, Gustar is conjugated in the 3rd person singular form (the él, ella, usted form):

Me gusta el vestido.	The dress pleases me, or I like the dress.
Me encanta el vestido nuevo de Julia.	Julia's new dress delights me, or I love Julie's new dress.
Me interesa el programa.	The program interests me, or I'm interested in the program.

If what is pleasing is plural, (for example, shoes or the Italian shoes) then Gustar is conjugated in the 3rd person PLURAL form (Ellos, ellas, ustedes form):

Me gustan los zapatos.	Shoes please me, or I like shoes.
Me encantan los zapatos italianos.	The Italian shoes please me, or I love Italian shoes.
Me fascinan los caballos.	Horses fascinate me, or I am fascinated by horses.

So Gustar and similar type verbs are conjugated depending on whether the subject is singular or plural:

Me interesa el libro.	The book interests me [I am interested in the book]
Me interesan los libros.	The books interest me [I am interested in the books]
Me molesta la carta.	The letter bothers me.
Me molestan las abejas	Bees bother me -or - Bees are bothering me.

But remember, infinitives are always singular, no matter how many you list!

Me gusta montar a caballo y nadar en el mar.

I enjoy horseback riding and swimming in the ocean.

For now think of Gustar verbs as having only two conjugations, the 3rd person singular and plural (gusta and gustan)

Now, what if I want to say I like someone, a friend or a teacher, etc.? Do I use Gustar?	Prepositional pronouns for emphasis!	Indirect object pronouns
Gustar Practice test the pronouns and forms of Gustar	Practice with Verbs like Gustar	Examples & Practice with the BBC!
Java Pop-up Game with Gustar-type verbs!	More practice out on the Web!	More practice with Gustar!
Back to the Verbs Page!