The rule, in plain English
Build gustar sentences as if you were saying something is pleasing to someone. Put me, te, le, nos, os, or les before the verb to show who likes it. Use gusta for one thing or an activity: Me gusta el libro; Me gusta bailar. Use gustan for plural things: Me gustan los libros. A Marta le gusta bailar keeps le even when Marta is named.
Why it's hard for English speakers
English starts with the person: I like the books. Spanish starts its grammar from the thing liked, so los libros needs gustan. First choose who feels it—me, te, le—then check whether the liked thing is singular or plural.
Worked examples
Start with these worked examples, then reveal more when you are ready.
- Me gusta este barrio.I like this neighbourhood.Singular things: Este barrio is one thing, so the verb is gusta. Me shows who likes it.
- ¿Te gusta la música clásica?Do you like classical music?Singular things: La música clásica is singular, so use te gusta.
- A Marta le gusta el café sin azúcar.Marta likes coffee without sugar.Singular things: A Marta clarifies who le refers to; el café controls singular gusta.
- Nos gusta la nueva profesora.We like the new teacher.Singular things: Nos shows that we like her, but la profesora is one person, so the verb remains gusta.
- A ustedes les gusta este restaurante.You all like this restaurant.Singular things: Les matches ustedes, while singular este restaurante requires gusta.
- Me gustan las novelas históricas.I like historical novels.Plural things: Las novelas is plural, so gustar agrees as gustan.
- A ti te gustan los deportes de equipo.You like team sports.Plural things: A ti adds emphasis; the required pronoun te remains, and los deportes takes gustan.
- A él le gustan mucho los animales.He likes animals a lot.Plural things: Le shows who likes them, while the plural phrase los animales requires gustan.
- Nos gustan estas dos opciones.We like these two options.Plural things: Estas dos opciones is plural, so use gustan even though English begins with we.
- ¿Os gustan las fiestas populares?Do you all like traditional festivals?Plural things: Os shows that the listeners like them; the plural phrase las fiestas requires gustan.
- Me gusta cocinar con amigos.I like cooking with friends.Activities and longer ideas: An infinitive idea is treated as singular, so use gusta.
- A ella le gusta levantarse temprano.She likes getting up early.Activities and longer ideas: The activity levantarse is one singular idea and therefore takes gusta.
Complete experiencer mapping
| Person | Optional clarification/emphasis | Required pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yo | a mí | me | A mí me gusta. |
| Tú | a ti | te | A ti te gusta. |
| Él/Ella | a él / a ella | le | A ella le gusta. |
| Usted | a usted | le | A usted le gusta. |
| Nosotros/as | a nosotros/as | nos | A nosotros nos gusta. |
| Vosotros/as | a vosotros/as | os | A vosotros os gusta. |
| Ellos/Ellas | a ellos / a ellas | les | A ellos les gusta. |
| Ustedes | a ustedes | les | A ustedes les gusta. |
Make the verb agree with the thing liked
| Thing liked | Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| One singular noun | gusta | Me gusta el libro. |
| Plural nouns | gustan | Me gustan los libros. |
| An infinitive/activity | gusta | Me gusta leer. |
| A whole que-clause | gusta | Me gusta que vengas. |
Useful verbs with the same pattern
| Verb | Meaning | Singular / plural example |
|---|---|---|
| encantar | to love | Me encanta la canción / Me encantan las canciones. |
| interesar | to interest | Le interesa el arte / Le interesan los museos. |
| doler | to hurt | Me duele la cabeza / Me duelen los pies. |
| faltar | to be missing / needed | Nos falta una silla / Nos faltan dos sillas. |
| importar | to matter | ¿Te importa el precio? / ¿Te importan los precios? |
Common mistakes
- Yo gusto los libros.Me gustan los libros.The books are the plural subject; me identifies the person who likes them.
- Me gusta los libros.Me gustan los libros.Make gustar agree with the plural thing, not with the experiencer.
- A Marta gusta bailar.A Marta le gusta bailar.The clarifying a-phrase does not replace the required indirect-object pronoun le.
- Nos gustan viajar.Nos gusta viajar.An infinitive activity is treated as one singular idea.
Practice
Me ___ las películas.
I like coffee = Me ___ el café.
A ella le ___ los perros.
My head hurts = Me ___ la cabeza.
Me ___ los museos.
She likes coffee = A ella ___ gusta el café.
Nos ___ bailar.
My feet hurt = Me ___ los pies.