Does "me Gusta" Mean "i Like To" Or "i Like" | SpanishDict Answers

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HomeQ&Adoes "me gusta" mean "i like to" or "i like"does "me gusta" mean "i like to" or "i like"1vote

does this make sense? "me gusta ciencias naturales "

32558 viewsupdated Nov 22, 2011posted by jhkjlhlYou would have to say. "Me gustan las ciencias naturales." - tincontro, Nov 22, 2011

5 Answers

2votes

It does not mean "I like" or "I like to", actually.

Gustar means "to please", so by saying "me gusta", you are saying it pleases me. Obviously, that's not how we interpret it in English, so we translate it by saying I like.

Me gustan mis pantalones.

The pants please me.

I like the pants.

Another example

A Maria le gusta leer.

Reading pleases Maria.

Maria likes to read.

updated Nov 22, 2011edited by SonrisaDelSolposted by SonrisaDelSolVery good, Sonrisa! Phrases such as "Reading pleases me" are generally considered "weak" (reading does not DO anything); it is Maria who "finds pleasure in reading" hence Maria likes =to read=/=reading=. - Lector_Constante, Nov 22, 2011so does this make sense? - jhkjlhl, Nov 22, 2011me gusta ciencias naturles? - jhkjlhl, Nov 22, 20111vote

A small quibble with the responses from Sonrisa and Jimmji. The essence of their responses is quite correct. If English speakers want to understand the syntax of "gustar", it is helpful to think of it as meaning "to please" (that way, one gets the proper subject [who/what is doing the pleasing]) with which the verb, of course, must agree).

On the other hand, the job of translation is not to illustrate the grammar/syntax of the original language but, rather, to render the thought naturally in the target language. Unless the author is trying to achieve some special effect, the translation should not sound unnatural/stilted.

updated Nov 22, 2011posted by samdie1vote

I think "me gustar" can be better understood if we translate it as "... is pleasing me" in English

updated Nov 22, 2011posted by jimmji41"Something is pleasing me" does not make sense, do you mean "Something is pleasing TO me"? Unfortunately the verb phrase "is pleasing to me" is very weak in its connotations and sounds stilted. - Lector_Constante, Nov 22, 20111vote

"Me gusta" means "I like". But if it is followed by an infinitive verb, it means "I like to...verb". If it is followed by an article and a noun, it means "I like... noun".

For example, me gusta bailar means "I like to dance." Also, me "gustan los tomates" means "I like tomatoes". Basically, it just depends on what gustar is followed by.

updated Nov 22, 2011posted by tincontro0votes

I have been struggling to get this right and Heidita pointed me in the direction of the thread in resources link text I hope that helps.

updated Nov 22, 2011posted by MaryMcc🚀 Remove adsSpanishDictionary.com is the world's most popular Spanish-English dictionary, translation, and learning website.FEATURESTranslationConjugationVocabularyLearn SpanishGrammarWord of the DayABOUTAbout UsPrivacyTermsSite MapHelpContact UsSOCIAL NETWORKSFacebookXXInstagramAPPSAppleiOSAndroidAndroid IXL learning logo