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How to express likes in Spanish: El verbo GUSTAR

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likes in Spanish


Hello everyone! In this article, you will learn all about the verb “GUSTAR” in Spanish. I’ll explain how it’s formed and give you examples to help you understand it better. You’ll find a YouTube lesson and interactive exercises to practice. Don’t miss out! Let’s get started!

How to express likes in Spanish

YouTube Video Lesson

How to express likes in Spanish

How to conjugate the verb GUSTAR

To express likes and dislikes in Spanish, we use the verb “GUSTAR”

This verb is a “peculiar” verb in the sense that do not work like most verbs. Whereas in English, we follow this pattern:

I like going to the cinema ➡️ SUBJECT + VERB + OBJECT

In Spanish, we follow this pattern:

Me gusta ir al cine ➡️ INDIRECT OBJECT PRONOUN + VERB + SUBJECT

In Spanish, we don’t use GUSTAR with the personal pronouns (yo, tú, él /ella /usted, nosotros/-as, vosotros/as, ellos/-as /ustedes) like in the others “normal” verbs. Instead of this, we use the indirect object pronouns:

me, te, le, nos, os, les

Moreover, we don’t conjugate The verb GUSTAR with the six different endings, as the “normal” verbs are conjugated. We have only these two forms:

GUSTA ➡️ followed by a singular noun or an infinitive verb.

GUSTAN ➡️ followed by a plural noun

Remember that when we use GUSTAR followed by a noun, we always need to use an article before this noun, whether it is singular, plural or uncountable. The article will agree in gender and number with the noun.

Examples

Me gusta la música clásica

Me gustan los museos de arte

How to express likes in Spanish

Interactive exercises

EXERCISE 1

Complete the sentences with (me, te, le, nos, os, les)

EXERCISE 2

Complete the sentences with GUSTA / GUSTAN

EXERCISE 3

Put these words in the right column.

How to express likes in Spanish

Downloadable Infographics: El VERBO GUSTAR

Likes in Spanish

Spanish Present Tense: Conjugating Regular Verbs step by step

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The present tense in Spanish

Today, let’s learn the conjugation of the present tense in Spanish (regular verbs).

This is the first verb to learn if you are a beginner in Spanish and… yes, I know, the conjugation can be boring, but it is necessary if you want to speak and progress with your Spanish.

Take a look at the YouTube Video Lesson (Spanish audio with English subtitles) read the explanation below, and practice with the interactive exercises.

Spanish present tense

YouTube Video Lesson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cGAZ1uzMAc&t=14s

Spanish present tense

El presente : la conjugación

In Spanish, verbs are conjugated in three different ways, depending on their endings:

-ar (first conjugation), -er (second conjugation) and -ir (third conjugation)

hablar – to speak

comer – to eat

vivir – to live

Conjugating is making a verb agree with its subject (yo, tú, él, ella…)

Follow this 3 Steps to conjugate the verbs in the present tense:

1. Choose an infinitive: hablar

2. Remove ending: habl – ar

3. Add the right ending for each pronoun (yo, tú, él…) at the end. (Take a look at the infographic below to see the new endings).

Examples:

yo habl-o (I speak)

Yo hablo español con mis amigos españoles

tú habl –as (you speak)

¿Tú hablas español?

él /ella habl- a (he/she speaks)

Ella habla un poco de español

For each type of verb -ar, -er, or -ir, we match the verb with each personal subject pronoun, and these new endings are different for each -ar, -er, and -ir verb, as you can see in the following table.

The present tense in Spanish

Spanish present tense

Some regular verbs in the present tense: Slides

Spanish present tense

Interactive exercises

EXERCISE 1

EXERCISE 2

EXERCISE 3

Spanish present tense

Practice at your own pace…

Spanish present tense (regular verbs)

Download the infographic + 15 exercises to practice the conjugation + Solutions in a PDF document

SHOP

Well done! Now, remember to keep practicing your Spanish with your Spanish

You can also to improve and get fluent more quickly with the help of a Spanish teacher. Find out how can I help you with my private online lessons

Why Spanish children receive Christmas presents on the 6th of January.

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Three kings day in Spain

Did you know that in Spain children receive their gifts on the 6th of January?

What’s more, they don’t receive presents from Santa Claus, but from the Three Kings.

Do you want to learn more about the Three kings day in Spain?

The Three Kings Day in Spain

In the first week of January , while the rest of the world is returning to their normal routines after the Christmas vacation, Spanish children are impatiently awaiting the arrival of the Three Kings. It’s another very traditional Christmas celebration of Christian origin.

It is said that the Three Kings (Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar) travelled by camel from the East to Bethlehem guided by a star to see the newborn baby Jesus. Upon arrival, they offered three gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Today, on the night of the 5th of January, the Three Kings (Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar) also bring presents for all the children who have behaved well throughout the year. In order to get the presents, Spanish children write a letter to the Three Kings asking for the specific things they would like to receive. Children that have misbehaved that year are given a lump of coal instead of presents. However, they don’t usually mind because it’s typically a sweet edible treat, rather than normal coal.

This day is called The Epiphany or the Feast of the Three Kings, and it’s the last Christmas holiday in Spain. It’s celebrated on the 5th and 6th of January.

carbón dulce

Niños con regalos

The 5th of January: The three kings’ Parade

On the evening of the 5th of January in many towns and villages throughout Spain we find the (Cabalgatas de los Reyes Magos), large parades where you can see the Three Kings, among other characters, on floats accompanied by music and dances. The kings toss sweets and candy to the crowds of children and announce that that night all the well-behaved children will receive gifts.

Children and adults alike try to catch as many sweets as they can. After the parade, the children should go to sleep early because if the Three Kings see that they are awake, they won’t leave any presents. But before going to bed, it’s important to prepare some drinks and sweet treats for the kings, who will be tired from their long journey when they arrive. It’s also a good idea to leave some water for the camels.

The 6th of January: Three Kings’Day

This day is usually spent with the family. Children wake up to discover the gifts that the Three Kings have brought and enjoy playing with their new toys. After lunch, the Roscón de Reyes is eaten. This is a type of dessert that comes with a golden paper crown (corona de papel dorado) and has a bean and a figurine of one of the Three Kings inside. The person who find the figurine is crown “the king of the house” and has to wear the paper crown, and the person who finds the bean has to pay for the roscón.

This is the last day of the Christmas vacation; the next day the normal daily routine begins again.

Are you familiar with this holiday?

Have you seen the Three Kings’ parade?

Who bring the gifts in your country?

I look forward to hearing your answers!!!

Do you like to learn about Spanish culture? Check your knowledge in Spanish culture with this QUIZ

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