GUSTAR and similar verbs

The Verb “Gustar” “Gustar” is used to talk about activities and things people like and don’t like to do. It literally means “to be pleasing to”. It has two forms: gusta & gustan

When talking about an activity the verb must stay in the infinitive form. You use the singular form of “gustar” which is “gusta.” gusta + infinitive Me gusta jugar al fútbol. ¿Te gusta nadar?

When talking about something you or someone likes or dislikes you would use a noun. If the noun is singular use : GUSTA + NOUN ¿Te gusta la clase de español? Sí, me gusta la clase de español.

IF THE NOUN IS PLURAL USE: GUSTAN + NOUN ¿Te gustan las películas de terror? No, no me gustan las películas de terror.

gustagusta gustangustan infinitive singular noun plural noun

The Verb “Gustar” As you know, you do NOT use subject pronouns with gustar. You cannot say “Yo gusta” Instead you use indirect object pronouns.

me te le nos os les Indirect Object Pronouns are used with gustar:

ME GUSTA (N) - I like (yo) TE GUSTA(N)-you (informal)like (tú) LE GUSTA(N) – you(polite),he,she likes (él, ella, ud.) NOS GUSTA(N)- we like (nosotros) LES GUSTA(N) –you(plural), they like (uds.,ellos, ellas) OS GUSTA(N) - vosotros

Pronouns must always go directly in front of the verb “gustar” ¿Te gusta la pizza? Sí, me gusta la pizza.

If the sentence is negative, the NO will always come before the object pronoun. ¿Te gustan los deportes? No, no me gustan los deportes.

If you are using “le” or “les” you may need to clarify who it is your talking about. To do use use A + the person’s name or pronoun.

In a statement it comes in the beginning: A los estudiantes les gusta estudiar. In a question the clarification comes at the end of the sentence. ¿Le gusta la comida mexicana a Roberto?

You can also use pronouns to put emphasis on what is being said: A mí me gusta la pizza. A ti te gustan las papas fritas.

Other than “a mí” and “a ti” you simply use the regular subject pronouns when adding clarification.

A mí + (no) me gusta (n) A ti + (no) te gusta (n) A usted +(no) le gusta (n) A él + (no) le gusta (n) A ella + (no) le gusta (n) A nosotros + (no) nos gusta (n) A ustedes + (no) les gusta (n) A ellos/ellas + (no) les gusta (n)

Note: When you have two people to clarify for you need the “a” before both people. A mi hermana y a mí nos encanta ir a la playa.

To ask who likes something use : ¿A quién…? or ¿A quiénes…? A quién + (no) le gusta(n) A quiénes + (no) les gusta(n) ¿A quién le gusta dibujar? A Patricia le gusta dibujar. ¿A quiénes les gusta ir al cine? A nosotros nos gusta ir al cine.

NOTE: When you like more than one activity be sure to use gustan. Me gustan nadar y correr. Me gustan el otoño y el verano.

When you want to say what you “would like” to do you use the construction: me gustaría ¿Te gustaría ir al cine hoy? Sí, me gustaría ir al cine.

When you want to say that you “love” to do something you use the construction: me encanta(n) Me encanta bailar. Me encantan los deportes.

Structure Please write the following formula into your notes: (from the white board)

Verbs like gustar Verbs like gustar follow the same pattern : IOP + verb + subject

Verbs like gustar have an unusual feature: the subject follows the verb. Use the singular form of the verb if: the subject is singular the subject is an infinitive Use the plural form of the verb if: the subject is plural

doler – to hurt; ache (ue) Doler is used to tell what hurts you. Me duele la cabeza. My head hurts; I have a headache. Me duelen las piernas.

Several other verbs used to express feelings follow the same pattern as gustar and doler. They are also used with indirect object pronouns.

aburrir - to bore disgustar –to displease encantar – to charm, delight (to love) enojar – to anger fascinar-to fascinate

importar-to be important, to matter interesar – to interest irritar – to irritate molestar – to bother

parecer- to seem (used with an adjective) Me parece divertido viajar a España. Me parecen interesantes los libros de amor.

preocupar – to worry quedar – to fit (clothing) (use with bien/mal) Me quedan bien los pantalones. Me queda mal la camisa.

Two other useful verbs that follow this pattern are: faltar – to need, not have (lacking) quedar – to have left (remaining)

¿Nos quedan sándwiches? Do we have any sandwiches left? (Are any sand. left?) (sandwiches remaining to us) Sí, pero nos falta agua. Yes, but we don’t have any water. (We need water) (water is lacking to us)

Me quedan 5 dólares. I have 5 dollars left. (5$ remaining) Me faltan 5 dólares. I need 5$. (I am lacking 5$)