When learning Spanish, one of the most confusing verbs for English speakers is
The Spanish Verb Gustar and Similar Verbs
In English, we say, I like apples. In Spanish, the equivalent structure is,
Instead of saying who is doing the liking, Spanish focuses on what is being liked and who it is pleasing to. This reversal can be tricky, but once you get used to it, the structure becomes more intuitive. Learning how to use the Spanish verb
How Gustar Works
The person who likes something is indicated using an indirect object pronoun. Then the verb must agree with the thing that is liked or causes the reaction, not the person. For example, if I like apples, then the verb should agree with apples:
| Indirect Object Pronoun | Gustar | |
| me | gustan | los churros |
| te | gusta | cocinar |
| le | gusto | yo |
| nos | gustas | tú |
| os | gustan | las pizzas |
| les | gusta | este libro |
Me gustan los churros. ¡Qué ricos están con chocolate caliente!
I like churros. How delicious they are with hot chocolate!
¿Te gusta cocinar? Siempre que te veo, estás en la cocina preparando algo.
Do you like cooking? Every time I see you, you are in the kitchen preparing something.
No tengo claro de si le gusto yo para el puesto. ¿Tú qué piensas?
I am not sure if he likes me for that position. What do you think?
Nos gustas tú. Eres muy divertido y siempre nos lo pasamos bien contigo.
We like you. You are very fun and we always have a very good time with you.
Os gustan las pizzas, así que voy a encargar dos pizzas para esta noche.
You like pizzas, so I am going to order two pizzas for tonight.
Les gusta este libro y, por eso, se lo han recomendado a mi madre.
They like this book and, for that reason, they have recommended it to my mother.
Sometimes it’s helpful to clarify or emphasize who is experiencing the feeling. So you should use the preposition
No tengo claro de si al jefe le gusto yo para el puesto. ¿Tú qué piensas?
I am not sure if the boss likes me for that position. What do you think?
A mis primos les gusta este libro y, por eso, se lo han recomendado a mi madre.
My cousins like this book and, for that reason, they have recommended it to my mother.
Verbs like Gustar
The same rules apply to other similar verbs too. Here are some common Spanish verbs that work like
Encantar (to love something)Interesar (to be interesting to)Molestar (to bother)Fascinar (to fascinate)Importar (to matter)Doler (to hurt)Quedar (to fit clothing)Parecer (to seem, to think)Preocupar (to worry, to be worried)
Notice how all of these verbs follow the same structure as
A ella le encanta bailar con sus amigos en las fiestas todos los fines de semana.
She loves dancing with her friends at parties every weekend.
Nos interesa mucho la historia de España y sus tradiciones culturales antiguas.
We are very interested in the history of Spain and its ancient cultural traditions.
A ellos les molestan los ruidos fuertes que vienen de la construcción cerca de su casa.
Loud noises from the construction near their house bother them.
A tus hijos le fascinan los dinosaurios y siempre están leyendo libros sobre ellos.
Your sons are fascinated by dinosaurs and are always reading books about them.
Me importa mucho mi familia, especialmente el bienestar de mis hermanos.
My family matters a lot to me, especially the well-being of my siblings.
A Juan le duele la cabeza después de estudiar durante muchas horas sin descansar.
Juan’s head hurts after studying for many hours without resting.
A María le queda muy bien ese vestido azul con flores blancas en verano.
That blue dress with white flowers fits María very well in the summer.
A ti te parece que la película fue demasiado larga para una historia tan simple.
You think the movie was too long for such a simple story.
A ellos les preocupa el cambio climático y sus efectos en el planeta a largo plazo.
They are worried about climate change and its long-term effects on the planet.
Exercises
By understanding how to use the Spanish verb