1.

3 Gustar and similar verbs

—Si te gusta un tipo como yo es

por mi capacidad de hablar.

© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.3-1

 1.3 Gustar and similar verbs

Using the verb gustar

• Though gustar is translated as to like in English, its
literal meaning is to please.
• Gustar is preceded by an indirect object pronoun
indicating the person who is pleased. It is followed by a
noun indicating the thing or person that pleases.

© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.3-2

 1.3 Gustar and similar verbs

Pronouns: Forms of GUSTAR:

me
te
nos + gusta (one object OR verb infinitives)

le les gustan (2 or more objects)

© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.3-3

 1.3 Gustar and similar verbs

• Because the thing or person that pleases is the subject,

gustar agrees in person and number with it. Most
commonly the subject is third person singular or plural.
Singular subject Plural subject

Nos gusta la música de Me gustan las quesadillas.

Celia Cruz.
We like Celia Cruz’s music. I like quesadillas.

Les gusta su casa nueva. ¿Te gustan las películas

románticas?
They like their new house. Do you like romantic
movies?
© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.3-4
 1.3 Gustar and similar verbs

• When gustar is followed by one or more verbs in the

infinitive, the singular form of gustar is always used.

No nos gusta llegar tarde. Les gusta cantar y bailar.

We don’t like to arrive late. They like to sing and dance.

© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.3-5

 1.3 Gustar and similar verbs

Practicamos:

1.___ gusta coquetear. (a ella)

2.No nos ______ compartir.

3.¿Te _______ las citas a ciegas?

4.___ gustan los cortometrajes. (a ellos)

5.Me _______ salir con chicas bonitas.

© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.3-6
 1.3 Gustar and similar verbs

• Gustar is often used in the conditional (gustaría) to

soften a request.

Me gustaría un refresco, por ¿Te gustaría ir a una cita con

favor. mi amigo?
I would like a soda, please. Would you like to go on a
date with my friend?

gustaría = would like

© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.3-7

 1.3 Gustar and similar verbs

Verbs like gustar

• Many verbs follow the same pattern as gustar.

© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.3-8

 1.3 Gustar and similar verbs

Verbs like gustar

• Many verbs follow the same pattern as gustar.

Me fascina el cine. ¿Te molesta si voy contigo?

Movies fascinate me. Will it bother you if I come
along?
A Sandra le disgusta esa situación. Me duelen sus mentiras.
That situation upsets Sandra. Her lies hurt me.
© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.3-9
 1.3 Gustar and similar verbs

Practicamos:

¿Cuál clase te aburre?

La clase de ___ me aburre. OR Me aburre la clase de ___.

¿Te interesan las películas?

Sí (No, no), me interesan las películas. OR Sí (No, no), las peliculas me interesan.

¿Qué te importa mucho?

___ me importa mucho. OR Me importa mucho ___.

¿Qué comida te disgusta?

___ me disgusta. OR Me disgusta ___.

© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.3-10

 1.3 Gustar and similar verbs

• The construction a + [prepositional pronoun] or

a + [noun] can be used to emphasize who is pleased,
bothered, etc.

A ella no le gusta bailar, A Felipe le molesta ir de

pero a él sí. compras.
She doesn’t like to dance, Shopping bothers Felipe.
but he does.

© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.3-11

 1.3 Gustar and similar verbs

For clarification or emphasis:

a mí a nosotros

a ti a vosotros

a él a ellos
a ella a ellas
a Ud. a Uds.
a María a María y Pablo
a la profesora a las profesoras

© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.3-12

 1.3 Gustar and similar verbs

Practicamos:

1.A ella ___ gusta romper con los novios.

2.A ___ me gustan las personas seguras.

3.__ ellos ___ gustan los compromisos.

4.¿A ___ te gusta compartir la comida?

5.A ___ nos gusta coquetear mucho.

© 2015 by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. 1.3-13