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Spanish grammar help

cuja1

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iHola! Mucho gusto!

I'm very new to Spanish, and I just found out 'I like..' is 'Me gusta...' as opposed to 'Yo gutsa...'. In laymen terms, why is me used instead of yo? In future, what is the best way to learn which one to use?

Gracias :)

It's because gustar means "to be liked by". So when you say Me gusta la casa, you are saying the house is liked by me. But it's easier to just think of it as I like the house.
 
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Lauren1023

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The expanded form of what you're saying is Yo me gusta. But you don't use the "yo" very often unless you'd REALLY want to emphasize that it's you that likes it. For example: (Yo) me gusta leer libros.

But if the thing you like is plural you'd use "gustan" For example: (Yo) me gustan libros.

This is because, as someone mentioned before, the literal translation of what you're saying is. Reading is liked by me or books are liked by me. But since this is awkward in English it's translated as to like.

Be very careful with using gustar with people. I don't know how it is in every country, but here in Mexico, if you use gustar with a person. For example: Me gusta a mi amigo. I like my friend. You are saying that you have a romantic interest and not just that you generally like the person.

Hope this helps!
 
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Radrook

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Me, pronounced "meh" with a short vowel sound, means "I" "me".
"Yo" again with a short vowel sound means "me" and sometinmes "I".

The expanded form of what you're saying is Yo me gusta. But you don't use the "yo" very often unless you'd REALLY want to emphasize that it's you that likes it. For example: (Yo) me gusta leer libros.

But if the thing you like is plural you'd use "gustan" For example: (Yo) me gustan libros.

This is because, as someone mentioned before, the literal translation of what you're saying is. Reading is liked by me or books are liked by me. But since this is awkward in English it's translated as to like.

Be very careful with using gustar with people. I don't know how it is in every country, but here in Mexico, if you use gustar with a person. For example: Me gusta a mi amigo. I like my friend. You are saying that you have a romantic interest and not just that you generally like the person.

Hope this helps!

Among Mexicans the word "cojer" "coje" "cojiendo" "to take" is also understood to mean having coitus or sex. So care has o be taken with that as well. Among Puerto Ricans, you have to watch out not to use the word "bicho" to refer to an insect since to them it means the penis in a vulgar way.

Another anomaly is the term "ahora" which is used by Mexicans and Guatemalans to mean later but which means "now" for most other Latinos.
Then there is the "vos" used by Argentinians which to other Latinos is equivalent to "tu" which is the familiar "you" used among family friends and acquaintances as opposed to the formal "you" which is "usted" employed among coworkers, and strangers and as a sigjh of respect for age or social standing.
 
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Radrook

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Think of 'Me gusta.... ' as 'pleases me' or please me', according to singularity or plurality of the following subject.

The use of the word can be tricky.

Gusto = taste, pleasure, honor,

Me gusta = I like

Me gusta comer. = I like to eat.

Me gusto'. = I liked it.

Les gusto'. = They liked it.

Me gusta'va = I used to like it.

Te gustari'a? = Would you like to?

Les gusta'ron los dulces? = Did you people like the candies?

Me gustara' = I will like it

Me estará' gustando. = I will be liking it

Les gustara' = They will like it.

Les estará gustando'. = They will be liking it.

Le gustara' = He or she will like it.

Le estara' gustando. = He or she will be liking it.

Les estara gustando = They will be liking it

Les estaban gustando = They were liking it

Le estaba gustando = He or she was liking or enjoying it.

Mucho gusto! = It is an honor! [After being introduced to someone.]

Me gustaria = I would like to....
Te gustaria? = Would you like to?
Les gustarian? = Would you folks like to?

Les gustó'. = They liked it.


Not all the above words carry the emphasis mark. I placed it for those who might need help in pronunciation.
 
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paul becke

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The use of the word can be tricky.

Gusto = taste, pleasure, honor,

Me gusta = I like

Me gusta comer. = I like to eat.

Me gusto'. = I liked it.

Les gusto'. = They liked it.

Me gusta'va = I used to like it.

Te gustari'a? = Would you like to?

Les gusta'ron los dulces? = Did you people like the candies?

Me gustara' = I will like it

Me estará' gustando. = I will be liking it

Les gustara' = They will like it.

Les estará gustando'. = They will be liking it.

Le gustara' = He or she will like it.

Le estara' gustando. = He or she will be liking it.

Les estara gustando = They will be liking it

Les estaban gustando = They were liking it

Le estaba gustando = He or she was liking or enjoying it.

Mucho gusto! = It is an honor! [After being introduced to someone.]

Me gustaria = I would like to....
Te gustaria? = Would you like to?
Les gustarian? = Would you folks like to?

Les gustó'. = They liked it.


Not all the above words carry the emphasis mark. I placed it for those who might need halp in pronunciation.

Thank you, Radrook.
 
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