gustar

to please

verb goos-TAHR Less Common

Origin: From Latin gustare ('to taste').

Also means

to like

Usage Note

Gustar is famously back-to-front for English speakers: the subject is what is liked, not who does the liking — me gusta el café literally means 'coffee pleases me'. The verb agrees with the subject (the thing liked), so me gustan los libros uses the plural. Saying yo gusto el café is an error. Gustar also means 'to taste' in formal or literary use, and in Mexico ¿gusta? is a polite offer ('would you like some?').

Examples

"Me gustan mucho las películas de acción."

Natural Translation

I really like action movies.

Literal Translation

To-me please-a-lot the movies of action.

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