Gustar conjugation Spanish verb

How gustar conjugates

Gustar is a regular -ar verb, but in practice you use only two forms in each tense: the third person singular (gusta, gustó, gustaba, gustará) with singular nouns and infinitives, and the third person plural (gustan, gustaron, gustaban) with plural nouns. The person goes in the pronoun: me, te, le, nos, les. Add a + person to clarify or emphasize: A Ana le gusta, A mí me gustan. Other persons (gusto, gustas) exist and mean I am liked, you are liked, as in Creo que le gustas.

Gustar in example sentences

• Present

  A mi jefe le gustan los informes cortos y claros.

  My boss likes short, clear reports.

• Preterite

  ¿Te gustó la presentación del nuevo producto?

  Did you like the presentation of the new product?

• Imperfect

  De niño no me gustaban nada las verduras.

  As a kid I didn't like vegetables at all.

• Future

  Creo que al cliente le gustará la segunda propuesta.

  I think the client will like the second proposal.

• Present perfect

  Nos ha gustado mucho trabajar con ustedes.

  We've really enjoyed working with you.

• Present subjunctive

  Espero que les guste el nuevo menú.

  I hope you like the new menu.

• Conditional

  Me gustaría hablar con el gerente, por favor.

  I'd like to speak with the manager, please.

• Imperfect subjunctive

  No pensé que te gustara tanto la comida picante.

  I didn't think you liked spicy food so much.

Common phrases with gustar

me gustaría + infinitive

I would like to...

¿Te gusta(n)...?

Do you like...?

gustar mucho / nada

to like a lot / not at all

si gustas / si gusta

if you'd like (a polite offer)

le gustas

he / she likes you (is attracted to you)

Mistakes to avoid

• Making the person the subject: Me gusta el café, not *Yo gusto el café*.
• Using gusta with plural things: Me gustan los tacos, not *Me gusta los tacos*.
• Forgetting the pronoun when you add a person: A Pedro le gusta el fútbol, not *A Pedro gusta el fútbol*.

Gustar tense by tense

• Gustar present
• Gustar preterite
• Gustar imperfect
• Gustar future
• Gustar conditional
• Gustar present subjunctive
• Gustar affirmative commands

Related verbs

• parecer to seem; to look like
• quedar to remain; to be left; to arrange to meet; to fit
• costar to cost; to be hard (for someone)

Most common Spanish verbs

• ser
• estar
• tener
• haber
• hacer
• ir
• poder
• decir
• dar
• ver
• saber
• querer

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