Why Is “Me Gusta” So Tricky? 25 Simple Phrases You Can Use Today

Learning how to say “I like” in Spanish is one of the first big hurdles new learners face. At first, it feels like it should be simple. Just swap out the English words, right? But then you run into me gusta and me gustan… and suddenly you’re not sure which to use.

I’ll never forget the moment it clicked for my daughter. After just two days of practice, she looked up from coloring and said with a proud smile, “Me gusta jugar.” I nearly cried. It was such a small phrase, but it unlocked her confidence. That’s what I want for you and your child: simple wins that make Spanish feel doable.

In this post, you’ll finally understand how me gusta works, learn when to use gusta vs. gustan, and walk away with 25 plug-and-play phrases you can start using right away.

What Does Me Gusta Really Mean?

Here’s the key: gustar doesn’t work like the English verb “to like.” Instead, it literally means “to be pleasing.”

So when you say Me gusta la pizza, you’re not saying “I like pizza.” You’re actually saying, “Pizza is pleasing to me.”

Think of it like this:

• In English → I like pizza (the person is the subject).
• In Spanish → Pizza is pleasing to me (the thing is the subject).

That little mental flip is the secret to understanding me gusta.

The Rules Made Simple

Here’s a step-by-step guide you can share with your child:

1. Decide who likes it.
   • me = to me
   • te = to you
   • le = to him/her
   • nos = to us
   • les = to them/you all
2. Look at what is being liked.
   • If it’s an activity → use gusta + the verb in its “to do” form (infinitive).
     • Example: Me gusta leer (I like to read).
   • If it’s one thing → use gusta + singular noun (with an article).
     • Example: Me gusta la manzana (I like the apple).
   • If it’s more than one thing → use gustan + plural noun.
     • Example: Me gustan los tacos (I like tacos).
3. Optional: Add emphasis with “A + person.”
   • A mi hijo le gusta el fútbol.
   • A mis hijos les gustan los perros.

Quick Reference Chart

Who Likes It?	Singular Thing / Activity	Plural Things
I	Me gusta la pizza / leer	Me gustan los tacos
You	Te gusta el helado / bailar	Te gustan los juegos
He/She	Le gusta la música / correr	Le gustan los gatos
We	Nos gusta la clase / cantar	Nos gustan las flores
They/You all	Les gusta el cine / pintar	Les gustan los deportes

Examples in Context

1. Me gusta leer libros en la tarde. – I like to read books in the afternoon.
2. Nos gustan los gatos de mi abuela. – We like my grandma’s cats.
3. A Sofía le gusta bailar salsa. – Sofía likes to dance salsa.
4. Te gustan los colores brillantes. – You like bright colors.
5. A mis amigos les gusta el helado de chocolate. – My friends like chocolate ice cream.

Exceptions & Tricky Spots

• Don’t forget the article! In Spanish, you usually need el, la, los, las.
  • Me gusta pizza ❌
  • Me gusta la pizza ✅
• Don’t confuse me gusto. This means “I find myself pleasing,” not “I like.” Save it for advanced learners!

Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

• ❌ Yo gusto los perros.
  ✅ Me gustan los perros.
• ❌ Me gusta los tacos.
  ✅ Me gustan los tacos. (plural = gustan)
• ❌ Me gusta es leer.
  ✅ Me gusta leer. (no “es” needed)
• ❌ Me gusta perros.
  ✅ Me gustan los perros. (use the article!)

25 Plug-and-Play Phrases

Here are ready-to-use examples grouped by theme. Use them as flashcards or conversation starters:

Food

1. Me gusta la pizza.
2. Me gustan las manzanas.
3. Me gusta el helado.
4. Me gustan los tacos.
5. Me gusta el jugo de naranja.

Activities

6. Me gusta leer.
7. Me gusta dibujar.
8. Me gusta cantar.
9. Me gusta correr.
10. Me gusta bailar.
11. Me gusta pintar.
12. Me gusta jugar.

Animals & Nature

13. Me gustan los perros.
14. Me gustan los gatos.
15. Me gustan los pájaros.
16. Me gusta el caballo.
17. Me gusta el mar.
18. Me gustan las flores.

School & Home

19. Me gusta la clase de arte.
20. Me gustan los libros.
21. Me gusta la música.
22. Me gustan los juguetes.
23. Me gustan los colores.
24. Me gusta la ciencia.
25. Me gusta el recreo.

Parent Tip: Print these phrases, cut them into cards, and play a matching game with your child. One pile for me gusta and another for me gustan.

Mini Practice Section

Fill in the blanks with me gusta or me gustan.

1. ________ los helados de fresa.
2. ________ leer por la noche.
3. ________ las flores en primavera.
4. ________ la música latina.
5. ________ los juegos de mesa.

Answer Key:

1. Me gustan
2. Me gusta
3. Me gustan
4. Me gusta
5. Me gustan

Final Encouragement

Learning me gusta is like opening a doorway into real conversations. Once your child can say what they like, they’re no longer memorizing words but expressing themselves. That’s the kind of confidence that builds momentum for middle schoolers starting Spanish from scratch.

So, celebrate every small win. Try two or three of the phrases above this week, and notice how quickly your child starts making them their own. And if you’d love more step-by-step guidance, games, and encouragement, book a free trial class with Homeschool Spanish Academy. We’ll make sure Spanish feels fun and approachable from day one.

Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these

Want more free Grammar Resources? Check these out!

• Ser vs. Estar at the Museum: Which One Do We Use to Describe Art?
• Why Is “Me Gusta” So Tricky? 25 Simple Phrases You Can Use Today
• How to Teach Spanish Grammar Without Spoiling the Fun
• How Do I Ask Questions in Spanish Without Sounding Like a Robot?
• When to Use Me, Te, Le, Nos… and Why It Feels Like a Guessing Game
• What’s the Difference Between Por and Para, and How Do I Use Them at Work?
• The Spanish Verbs That Trip Up Every Beginner (and How to Finally Use Them Right)
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