Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Do You Like in Spanish: Te Gusta
Te Gusta · phrase · teh GOOS-tah
The Spanish phrase for 'do you like' is 'te gusta' when using the informal 'tú' form, or 'le gusta' for the formal 'usted' form. The verb 'gustar' works differently from English—the thing that is liked becomes the subject of the sentence. Understanding this structure is fundamental to expressing preferences in Spanish.
Say teh GOOS-tah for the informal version. For the formal version, say leh GOOS-tah. The stress falls on the first syllable of 'gusta.'
¿Te gusta la música clásica?
Do you like classical music?
Do You Like in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for do you like, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| te gusta | do you like | teh GOOS-tah | Default, widely understood |
| le gusta | do you like | formal 'usted' form |
How Native Speakers Use Te Gusta
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Asking about food
¿Te gusta el chocolate?
Do you like chocolate?
Asking a friend about food preferences.
Plural subject
¿Te gustan las películas de terror?
Do you like horror movies?
Asking about movie preferences with a plural noun.
Formal context
¿Le gusta la música clásica, doctora Méndez?
Do you like classical music, Dr. Méndez?
Asking politely in a formal setting using usted.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Te Gusta
Wrong verb structure
Incorrect: ¿Tú gustas la pizza?
Correct: ¿Te gusta la pizza?
In Spanish, 'gustar' works backward compared to English. The thing liked is the subject (la pizza gusta), and the person who likes it is the indirect object (te).
Forgetting plural agreement
Incorrect: ¿Te gusta los perros?
Correct: ¿Te gustan los perros?
When the liked thing is plural ('los perros'), the verb must also be plural: 'gustan' instead of 'gusta.'
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See Te Gusta used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Do You Like in Spanish
- Why does Spanish use gustar differently from English?
- The verb 'gustar' literally means 'to be pleasing to,' so 'me gusta el libro' literally translates as 'the book is pleasing to me,' which is why the sentence structure is reversed compared to English.
- When do you use gusta vs. gustan?
- Use 'gusta' when the thing liked is singular or an infinitive verb, and 'gustan' when the things liked are plural, since the verb agrees with what is liked, not with the person.
- How do you say 'I like' vs. 'do you like' in Spanish?
- 'I like' is 'me gusta' (singular) or 'me gustan' (plural), while 'do you like' is 'te gusta/gustan' (informal) or 'le gusta/gustan' (formal), simply changing the indirect object pronoun.