"Gustar" in Spanish
In Spanish, the verb "gustar" is used to give likes and dislikes. In English, we say "I like something." For example, "I like Frosted Flakes." In Spanish, the structure is more like "something is pleasing to me" or "something is nice for me." "Frosted Flakes are nice for me." --> "Los Frosted Flakes me gustan."
Asking About Likes
When you want to ask someone if they like something, use "te gusta" for singular items and "te gustan" for plural items.
We've been reading English texts and practicing answering questions in Spanish. Let's try it the other way around.
Read the texts below. Then, complete the chart with the things the students like and the things they don't like.
Hola, me llamo Clara. Tengo 15 años y soy estudiante en una escuela en Madrid. Me gusta comer el pan por la mañana. También, me gusta tomar el café, pero no me gusta beber el chocolate caliente. Me encanta leer libros en la tarde. Pero, no me gustan las manzanas.
| Things Clara likes | Things Clara doesn't like |
|---|---|
| 1) | 1) |
| 2) | 2) |
| 3) | . |
¡Hola! ¿Qué tal? Soy Carlos. Tengo 16 años y soy estudiante en un colegio en Houston. Me gusta tomar café por la mañana, pero no me gusta la leche. Tomo el café sin azúcar y sin leche. Me gustan los carros viejos. No me gustan los carros nuevos. Me gusta la comida mexicana, pero no me gusta la comida italiana. No me gustan los espaguetis. (What do you think the word *espaguetis** means? What does it sound like? What is the context for this word?)*
| Things Carlos likes | Things Carlos doesn't like |
|---|---|
| 1) | 1) |
| 2) | 2) |
| 3) | 3) |
| . | 4) |
Now it's your turn! Write a paragraph like the paragraph you wrote yesterday, but this time include three things (or activities) you like and three things (or activities) you do not like. Write you paragraph in Spanish!
| Me gusta(n) | No me gusta(n) |
|---|---|
| 1) | 1) |
| 2) | 2) |
| 3) | 3) |