Al viajero le encantan los boleros. © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

Using the verb gustar Though gustar is translated as to like in English, its literal meaning is to please. Gustar is preceded by an indirect object pronoun indicating the person who is pleased. It is followed by a noun indicating the thing or person that pleases. © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

Because the thing or person that pleases is the subject, gustar agrees in person and number with it. Most commonly the subject is third person singular or plural. Singular subject Plural subject Nos gusta la música de Celia Cruz. Me gustan las quesadillas. We like Celia Cruz’s music. I like quesadillas. Les gusta su casa nueva. ¿Te gustan las películas románticas? They like their new house. Do you like romantic movies? © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

No nos gusta llegar tarde. Les gusta cantar y bailar. When gustar is followed by one or more verbs in the infinitive, the singular form of gustar is always used. No nos gusta llegar tarde. Les gusta cantar y bailar. We don’t like to arrive late. They like to sing and dance. © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

Me gustaría un refresco, por favor. Gustar is often used in the conditional (me gustaría) to soften a request. Me gustaría un refresco, por favor. ¿Te gustaría ir a una cita con mi amigo? I would like a soda, please. Would you like to go on a date with my friend? © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

Verbs like gustar Many verbs follow the same pattern as gustar. Me fascina el cine. ¿Te molesta si voy contigo? Movies fascinate me. Will it bother you if I come along? A Sandra le disgusta esa situación. Me duelen sus mentiras. That situation upsets Sandra. Her lies hurt me. © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

A ella no le gusta bailar, pero a él sí. The construction a + [prepositional pronoun] or a + [noun] can be used to emphasize who is pleased, bothered, etc. A ella no le gusta bailar, pero a él sí. A Felipe le molesta ir de compras. She doesn’t like to dance, but he does. Shopping bothers Felipe. © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

Faltar expresses what someone or something lacks and quedar expresses what someone or something has left. Quedar is also used to talk about how clothing fits or looks on someone. Le falta dinero. Le falta sal a la comida. He’s short of money. The food needs some salt. A la impresora no le queda papel. Esa falda te queda bien. The printer is out of paper. That skirt fits you well. © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.

© and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.