Using gustar in Spanish + verb to say like [doing something]

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"To like" in Spanish: gustar 

In Spanish, to express like or dislike [to do/doing something] we use the verb gustar. It works differently to the way it is expressed in English.

Have a look and listen to this example:

Me gusta montar en bici.I like to ride a bike.

Notice the construction in English:

Subject (I) + verb (like) + what is liked (riding a bike)

In Spanish however the order is different.
If we translate it literally we would say: Riding a bike pleases me,  with riding a bike being the subject of the sentence.

We always use the singular form of verb gustar when followed by actions!

For example, this is incorrect: Me gustan bailar y cantar.

If you want to ask someone whether s/he likes doing something, just remember to add the question marks and change the intonation.
Have a look and listen to this example:

¿Te gusta viajar por Europa?Do you like travelling around Europe?

The answer can be positive or negative:

, me gusta viajar por Europa.Yes, I like travelling around Europe.

No, no me gusta viajar por Europa.No, I don't like travelling around Europe.

Notice how on the negative answer we have added a no at the beginning of the sentence.

Here are other negative answers as examples:

No, no me gusta comer chocolate.No, I don't like eating chocolate.

No, no te gusta beber vinos españoles.No, you don't like to drink Spanish wines.

No, no me gusta bailar.No, I don't like to dance.

Important note:

A common error for English speakers is to use a gerund form (-ing) after gustar. Remember that in Spanish we use the infinitive (-ar/-er/-ir)

Me gusta bailando
Me gusta bailar
I like dancing.

 See also Using gustar in Spanish to say you like something

 

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Examples and resources

No, no me gusta comer chocolate.No, I don't like eating chocolate.
Me gusta montar en bici.I like to ride a bike.
No, no te gusta beber vinos españoles.No, you don't like to drink Spanish wines.
¿Te gusta viajar por Europa?Do you like travelling around Europe?
No, no me gusta viajar por Europa.No, I don't like travelling around Europe.
, me gusta viajar por Europa.Yes, I like travelling around Europe.
No, no me gusta bailar.No, I don't like to dance.
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