Mastering Verbs That Don’t Work Like English
Not Your Average Verb
In English, we say “I like chocolate.”
But in Spanish, we say “Me gusta el chocolate,” which literally means “Chocolate is pleasing to me.”
The subject and object are flipped, and that’s what makes gustar and similar verbs tricky—but once you understand the logic, it’s totally manageable!
These verbs don’t follow the usual subject–verb–object structure. Instead, they follow a reverse construction where the person who experiences the feeling becomes the indirect object, and the thing causing the feeling is the subject.
Understanding this structure helps you sound more natural and accurate when expressing likes, interests, and emotional reactions in Spanish.
Basic Structure of “Gustar”
[Indirect Object Pronoun] + [Verb] + [Subject]
| Spanish | Literal Translation | Natural English |
|---|---|---|
| Me gusta el café. | To me is pleasing the coffee. | I like coffee. |
| Nos gustan los perros. | To us are pleasing the dogs. | We like dogs. |
| ¿Te gusta la música? | To you is pleasing the music? | Do you like music? |
Indirect Object Pronouns
These go before the verb and show to whom the thing is pleasing:
| Pronoun | Meaning |
|---|---|
| me | to me |
| te | to you (informal) |
| le | to him, to her, to you (formal) |
| nos | to us |
| os | to you all (informal plural, Spain) |
| les | to them, to you all (formal) |
Examples:
- Le gusta el cine. → He/she/you like(s) the cinema.
- Nos gusta viajar. → We like to travel.
Agreement: Singular vs. Plural
The verb agrees with the thing being liked, NOT with the person who likes it:
- Me gusta la película. (singular)
- Me gustan las películas. (plural)
✅ Rule: Gusta = followed by a singular noun or verb
✅ Gustan = followed by a plural noun
Important: Gustar + Verb
When followed by another verb, gustar is always singular:
- Me gusta bailar.
- ¿Te gusta leer y escribir?
Other Verbs Like “Gustar”
Many verbs in Spanish use the same structure. Here are some of the most common:
| Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| encantar | to love (something) | Nos encanta el arte. |
| interesar | to interest | Me interesa la historia. |
| doler | to hurt | Le duele la cabeza. |
| importar | to matter / to care | ¿Te importa si fumo? |
| parecer | to seem | Me parece una buena idea. |
| faltar | to lack / to be missing | Nos falta tiempo. |
| molestar | to bother | Les molesta el ruido. |
| quedar | to have left / to fit | Me quedan dos euros. / ¿Te queda bien la camisa? |
Clarifying with “A mí,” “A ti,” etc.
When you want to clarify or emphasize who is affected, add a phrase like a mí, a ti, a él, etc.
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A mí me gusta… | I like… (emphasized) |
| A Juan le interesa… | Juan is interested in… |
| A nosotros nos duele… | We feel pain in… |
This is especially useful for le and les, since they can refer to multiple people:
- A María le gusta bailar.
- A ellos les gusta correr.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It’s Wrong | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| Gustar doesn’t work like that | Me gusta el chocolate | |
| Verb after gustar = singular | Te gusta bailar | |
| Subject must be a thing, not a person like that | Tú le gustas (if romantically speaking!) |
Quick Recap: Key Takeaways
- The subject of gustar is what’s liked—not who likes it.
- The person who likes is expressed with an indirect object pronoun.
- Gusta = for singular nouns and verbs
- Gustan = for plural nouns
- Many verbs use this same structure (encantar, doler, interesar, etc.)
- Use a mí, a ti, etc. to clarify or emphasize
Make It Feel Natural
Mastering gustar and similar verbs takes a bit of reprogramming—especially if you’re used to English sentence structures. But with practice, it becomes second nature. You’ll begin to feel what “sounds right” and express your feelings, preferences, and reactions with greater fluency and confidence.
These verbs aren’t just grammar points—they’re tools for connection. Whether you’re telling someone what you love (Me encanta viajar) or what bothers you (Me molesta el tráfico), using these verbs correctly helps you express who you are in Spanish.
Flip the Sentence, Feel the Spanish: Master Gustar and Speak from the Heart.
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