Gustar – Part 2

Gustar – Part 2
Remember that gustar means “to please” and that we typically only use the third
person conjugations, gusta o gustan. Gusta is used for singular subjects or infinitives
and gustan is used for plural subjects. Keep in mind that it is what you like that
becomes the subject of the sentence.
To express that you like pizza (a singular subject), you would say Me gusta la pizza.
(Literally, “Pizza pleases me.”)
To express that we like apples (a plural subject), you would say Nos gustan las
manzanas. (Literally, “Apples please us.”)
Other People
Notice that the pronoun changes depending on the person.
These are the object pronouns you will use in this type of sentence construction:
me
te
le
nos
os
les
Notice that the pronoun "le" is used to refer to "she", "he" and "usted." To specific who
is being “pleased,” it is often necessary to use clarifying or emphasizing phrases.
The following phrases are used to clarify or emphasize the people in gustar phrases:
a mí
a ti
a él
a ella
a usted
a nosotros
a vosotros
a ellos
a ellas
a ustedes
In the following examples, the underlined words specify whom you are talking about.
Remember, they are not necessary but you may use them to avoid confusion or to
emphasize who is pleased. Also, notice the use of gusta or gustan depending on if the
subject is singular or plural.
A mí me gusta el chocolate.
A ti te gusta la pizza.
A ella le gustan las flores.
A él le gusta dibujar.
A Carlos le gusta pintar.
A usted le gusta la fruta.
A nosotros nos gustan los deportes.
A ellos les gusta ir al cine.
A ellas les gustan los postres.
A ustedes les gusta cantar.
I like chocolate.
You like pizza.
She likes flowers.
He likes to draw.
Carlos likes to paint (or color).
You (formal) like fruit.
We like sports.
They like to go to the movies.
They (girls) like desserts.
You all like to sing.
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Gustar – Part 2
Negation
To make a negative sentence, simply put no before the pronoun.
No me gustan las manzanas.
I don't like apples.
No nos gustan las manzanas.
We don't like apples.
Questions and Answers
To make yes or no questions with gustar, follow the pattern you have learned.
¿Te gusta jugar deportes?
Sí, me gusta jugar deportes.
No, no me gusta jugar deportes.
¿A ella le gustan las verduras?
Sí, le gustan las verduras.
No, no le gustan las verduras.
Do you like to play sports?
Yes, I like to play sports.
No, I don't like to play sports.
Does she like vegetables?
Yes, she likes vegetables.
No, she doesn't like vegetables.
To find out what someone likes to do, say:
¿Qué te gusta hacer?
Me gusta jugar deportes.
What do you like to do?
I like to play sports.
Gustar – Part 2
© 2012 Middlebury Interactive Languages.
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