Expressing like and dislike in Spanish.
This ought to be an incredibly easy lesson because in English you just have to say "I like" or "I don't like".
However, it is much more complicated mainly because the verb "gustar" can be a little tricky for English speakers.
There is a fuller explanation of the verb "gustar"
here
I will attempt to explain this in the simplest way possible.
It is best to consider that the verb "gustar" means "is pleasing"
So "me gusta el queso" = I like cheese = cheese is pleasing to me or in Spanish syntax. To me - it is pleasing - cheese.
In Spanish we have.
The person it is pleasing to (me te le os les) + the correct conjugation of the verb gustar refering to the thing being liked + (optionally) the thing being liked.
Sorry this sounds very complicated.
At the level of this lesson you don't have to understand all the possibilities but you should know the following.
Expressing like for a singular object.
Me gusta la cerveza - I like beer.
Me gusta el chocolate- I like chocolate.
Expressing like for a plural object.
Me gustan las manzanas.
Me gustan los gatos - I like cats.
Asking someone if they like a singular object.
¿Te gusta el chocolate- Do you like chocolate?
¿Te gusta Ej juego de Tronos? - Do you like game of thrones?
Asking someone if they like a plural object.
¿Te gustan las manzanas? - Do you like apples?
¿Te gustan los gatos? - Do you like cats?
Using "gustar" with a verb.
Me gusta bailar - I like to dance
¿Te gusta descansar? - Do you like to rest?
Another verb which is similar to "gustar" is "encantar".
It is used to express strong like.
Me encanta la ciencia - I love science.
Me encanta el teatro - I adore the theatre.
The other verbs we can use to speak about likes and dislikes are easier to use.
EG:
odio los mosquitos - I hate mosquitos.
detesto la política- I hate politics.
Aborrezco la guerra - I abhor war.
I have thrown a couple of curve balls at you in the examples with:
Me gustas and Te gusto.
I wonder if you can work out their meaning using my explanation above.
I have also included some simple statements like.
Este vino es excelente - This wine is excellent.
Included in this lesson is contradictions and agreements:
I have put them in a dialogue format between Susana and Pedro.
So you will see:
A mí también. - Me also
A mí tampoco. - Me neither
A mi si. - I do
A mi no. I don't