【英文版西语语法】Verbs like Gustar

 Verbs like gustar are famously hard to get right in Spanish, especially when you're just starting out. However, with a little bit of explaining and a lot of practice, you'll be a pro at using these verbs in no time. The most recognizable verb in this category of verbs like gustar is obviously gustar itself, which is often translated as to like, though it literally means to be pleasing to.

 

How Gustar Works

 

With gustar and verbs like it, the subject of the sentence is the thing being liked, while the thing doing the liking is expressed via an indirect object.

 

Spanish Literal English Translation Everyday English Translation

Me gustan las manzanas.

 

Apples are pleasing to me. I like apples.

In the above Spanish sentence, manzanas (apples) is the subject, so gustar is conjugated in the third person plural to match the plural word manzanas.

The indirect object me is used to show to whom the apples are pleasing.

Forming Verbs like Gustar

 

Verbs like gustar all use indirect object pronouns.

 

Te gustan los monos.

You like monkeys.

 

Nos gusta la película.

We like the movie.

 

Gustar-like verbs are always conjugated to match the subject noun (the thing being liked).

 

For example:

 

Me gusta el libro.

I like the book.

 

Me gustan los libros.

I like books.

 

If a sentence with a verb like gustar begins with the subject, more focus is given to the thing being liked (the subject) than the liker (the indirect object.)

 

For example:

 

Me gustan los frijoles.

I like beans.

 

No me gusta el arroz, pero los frijoles me gustan.

I don't like rice, but I do like beans.

 

Sentences with verbs like gustar may include the preposition a, plus a pronoun or noun that matches the indirect object. This is usually included to draw attention to or make explicit whatever is doing the liking.

 

For example:

 

Me agrada su visita.

I am pleased by your visit.

 

Me agrada su visita a mí.

I am pleased by your visit.

 

Common Verbs Like Gustar

 

Below you will find a list of common verbs that function like gustar.

 

Spanish English Spanish English

aburrir

 

to bore

faltar

 

to be lacking

agradar

 

to please

fascinar

 

to fascinate

alegrar

 

to gladden

fastidiar

 

to annoy

apasionar

 

to love

gustar

 

to please

apetecer

 

to feel like

hacer falta

 

to be missed

atraer

 

to attract

importar

 

to matter

bastar

 

to be enough

interesar

 

to interest

caber

 

to fit, to fill

molestar

 

to bother

convenir

 

to be better for

parecer

 

to appear to be

corresponder

 

to be responsible for

picar

 

to itch

costar

 

to cost

preocupar

 

to worry

disgustar

 

to disgust

quedar

 

to remain

doler

 

to hurt

repugnar

 

@^^*to disgust

encantar

 

to delight

sobrar

 

to be left over

extrañar

 

to surprise

tocar

 

to be responsible for

Check out these examples with verbs like gustar.

 

Spanish English

Les interesaría ir al cine?

 

Are you interested in going to the movies?

A nosotros nos molesta el ruido.

 

We are bothered by the noise.

A muchas mujeres les encantan los cuentos de amor.

 

Many women really like love stories.

Los días fríos me gustan.

 

I like cold days.

Los coches deportivos le atraen.

 

Sports cars are attractive to her.

Lavar la ropa nos corresponde.

 

Washing the clothes is our responsibility.

La política te interesa.

 

Politics interest you.