3.2 Gustar & Similar Verbs

How gustar works

Gustar doesn't mean 'to like' literally — it means 'to be pleasing.' The thing liked is the subject, so you use gusta (singular thing) or gustan (plural things): 'Me gusta el arte,' 'Me gustan las pinturas.'

Indirect object pronouns

Gustar uses me, te, le, nos, os, les: me gusta (I like), te gusta (you like), le gusta (he/she likes), nos gusta (we like), les gusta (they like).

Similar verbs

Encantar (to love/delight), interesar (to interest), importar (to matter), and molestar (to bother) work the same way: 'Me encanta la música,' 'Nos interesa el arte.'

Key terms

gustar

to be pleasing (= 'to like'); use gusta / gustan

Me gusta / Me gustan

I like (one thing) / I like (many things)

me, te, le, nos, os, les

indirect object pronouns used with gustar

encantar

to love / delight (Me encanta...)

Similar verbs

interesar, importar, molestar — work like gustar

Try an AP-style question

Which is correct?

1. Me gustan los libros.
2. Me gustamos los libros.
3. Me gusta los libros.
4. Yo gusto los libros.