Topic 7
Gustar and its family
The rule, in plain English
Gustar means 'to be pleasing'. The thing liked is the subject, and you are the indirect object: 'Me gusta el café' = 'Coffee is pleasing to me'. So the verb agrees with the THING: gusta + singular, gustan + plural. Same pattern: encantar, doler, interesar, faltar.
Why it's hard for English speakers
It flips the English structure. You are not the subject; the thing is. That's why it's gusta/gustan (matching the thing), not 'gusto'.
The pattern
| Indirect object | gustar | thing (subject) |
|---|---|---|
| Me | gusta | el café (singular) |
| Te | gustan | los libros (plural) |
| Le / Nos / Les | gusta(n) | … |
Examples
- Me gusta el chocolate.I like chocolate. (sing.)
- Me gustan las fresas.I like strawberries. (plural → gustan)
- Le duele la cabeza.His/her head hurts. (doler like gustar)
- Nos encanta viajar.We love to travel. (+ infinitive → singular)
Common mistakes
- Yo gusto el caféMe gusta el caféUse me + gusta, not 'yo gusto'.
- Me gusta los librosMe gustan los librosPlural thing → gustan.
Practice
Exercises: 0 / 0 correct
Me ___ las películas.
I like coffee = Me ___ el café.
A ella le ___ los perros.
My head hurts = Me ___ la cabeza.