Verbs like "Gustar"

Quick Answer

Verbs like gustar are famously hard to get right in Spanish, especially when you're just starting out. However, with a little bit of explaining and a lot of practice, you'll be a pro at using these verbs in no time.

The most recognizable verb in this category of verbs like gustar is obviously gustar itself, which is often translated as to like, though it literally means to be pleasing to.

How Gustar Works

With gustar and verbs like it, the subject of the sentence is the thing being liked, while the thing doing the liking is expressed via an indirect object.

Spanish	Literal English Translation	Everyday English Translation
Me gustan las manzanas.	Apples are pleasing to me.	I like apples.

In the above Spanish sentence, manzanas (apples) is the subject, so gustar is conjugated in the third person plural to match the plural word manzanas.
The indirect object me is used to show to whom the apples are pleasing.

Forming Verbs like Gustar

Verbs like gustar all use indirect object pronouns.

Te gustan los monos.

You like monkeys.

Nos gusta la película.

We like the movie.

Gustar-like verbs are always conjugated to match the subject noun (the thing being liked).

For example:

Me gusta el libro.

I like the book.

Me gustan los libros.

I like books.

If a sentence with a verb like gustar begins with the subject, more focus is given to the thing being liked (the subject) than the liker (the indirect object.)

For example:

Me gustan los frijoles.

I like beans.

No me gusta el arroz, pero los frijoles me gustan.

I don't like rice, but I do like beans.

Sentences with verbs like gustar may include the preposition a, plus a pronoun or noun that matches the indirect object. This is usually included to draw attention to or make explicit whatever is doing the liking.

For example:

Me agrada su visita.

I am pleased by your visit.

Me agrada su visita a mí.

I am pleased by your visit.

Common Verbs Like Gustar

Below you will find a list of common verbs that function like gustar.

Spanish	English	Spanish	English
aburrir	to bore	faltar	to be lacking
agradar	to please	fascinar	to fascinate
alegrar	to gladden	fastidiar	to annoy
apasionar	to love	gustar	to please
apetecer	to feel like	hacer falta	to be missed
atraer	to attract	importar	to matter
bastar	to be enough	interesar	to interest
caber	to fit, to fill	molestar	to bother
convenir	to be better for	parecer	to appear to be
corresponder	to be responsible for	picar	to itch
costar	to cost	preocupar	to worry
disgustar	to disgust	quedar	to remain
doler	to hurt	repugnar	to disgust
encantar	to delight	sobrar	to be left over
extrañar	to surprise	tocar	to be responsible for

Check out these examples with verbs like gustar.

Spanish	English
Les interesaría ir al cine?	Are you interested in going to the movies?
A nosotros nos molesta el ruido.	We are bothered by the noise.
A muchas mujeres les encantan los cuentos de amor.	Many women really like love stories.
Los días fríos me gustan.	I like cold days.
Los coches deportivos le atraen.	Sports cars are attractive to her.
Lavar la ropa nos corresponde.	Washing the clothes is our responsibility.
La política te interesa.	Politics interest you.