If you’ve ever asked yourself how to say “like” in Spanish, you’re not alone.
This little word seems simple, but in Spanish, it takes on different meanings depending on context — “to enjoy,” “to be fond of,” or even “to resemble.”
Whether you’re a new learner or brushing up on conversational skills, this guide will show you exactly how to use “like” naturally in Spanish, with examples, dialogues, and cultural insights from real speakers.
⚡ Quick Answer
Translation: Gustar (goo-STAHR)
Cultural Note: In Spanish, expressing “like” isn’t as direct as in English. Instead of saying “I like something,” you say “Something pleases me” — a reflection of the Spanish language’s poetic rhythm.
🧠 The Core Meaning: “Like” = Gustar
In most cases, “like” in Spanish translates to gustar, which literally means “to please.”
That’s why the sentence structure is different from English.
| EnglishSpanishLiteral Meaning | ||
|---|---|---|
| I like apples. | Me gustan las manzanas. | Apples please me. |
| She likes music. | Le gusta la música. | Music pleases her. |
| We like this movie. | Nos gusta esta película. | This movie pleases us. |
In other words, the thing you like becomes the subject, and the person liking it becomes the indirect object.
🎯 How to Form Sentences Using Gustar
Here’s the basic pattern:
[Indirect Object Pronoun] + gusta/gustan + [thing you like]
| Pronoun | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Me | to me | Me gusta el café. (I like coffee.) |
| Te | to you | ¿Te gusta el fútbol? (Do you like soccer?) |
| Le | to him/her/you (formal) | Le gusta viajar. (He r She likes to travel.) |
| Nos | to us | Nos gusta bailar. (We like dancing.) |
| Os | to you all (Spain) | ¿Os gusta el helado? (Do you like ice cream?) |
| Les | to them/you all | Les gusta cantar. (They like to sing.) |
✅ Pro Tip:
Use gusta for singular nouns or verbs, and gustan for plural nouns.
💐 20 Polite Ways to Say “Like” in Spanish
Want to sound polite or formal? Try these refined alternatives to gustar.
They’re great for writing, work, or meeting new people.
| Expression | Meaning / Usage |
|---|---|
| Me gusta mucho… | I really like… |
| Me encanta… | I love / I adore… |
| Me agrada… | I find it pleasant… |
| Me interesa… | I’m interested in… |
| Me parece bien… | It seems good to me… |
| Me fascina… | I’m fascinated by… |
| Me entusiasma… | I’m excited about… |
| Me atrae… | I’m attracted to… |
| Me importa… | It matters to me… |
| Me cae bien… | I like (a person’s vibe) |
| Admiro… | I admire… |
| Prefiero… | I prefer… |
| Valoro… | I appreciate… |
| Disfruto de… | I enjoy… |
| Tengo cariño por… | I’m fond of… |
| Me encanta la idea. | I love the idea. |
| Estoy a gusto con… | I feel comfortable with… |
| Me gusta tu forma de pensar. | I like your way of thinking. |
| Me encanta este lugar. | I love this place. |
| Me alegra conocerte. | I’m glad to meet you. |
👉 These forms sound warm, natural, and polite — perfect for real conversations or written messages.
😂 10 Funny or Casual Ways to Say “Like” in Spanish
In everyday chat or social media, people use fun, slang-like ways to express “like.”
| Expression | Meaning / Context |
|---|---|
| Me flipa (Spain) | I’m wild about it |
| Me mola (Spain) | I think it’s cool |
| Me late (Mexico) | I dig it / I like it |
| Me encanta ese rollo | I love that vibe |
| Me gusta un buen | I like it a lot (playful) |
| Me fascina, bro | I’m obsessed, bro |
| Me re gusta (Argentina) | I like it a lot |
| Me encanta todo eso | I love all that |
| Está chido (Mexico) | It’s cool |
| Está brutal (Spain) | It’s awesome |
In short, slang adds personality. However, make sure you match the region — me mola sounds natural in Madrid, but me late is better in Mexico.
💬 How to Use “Like” in Conversation
Let’s see gustar and its variations in real conversations.
🗣 Everyday Example
Sara: ¿Te gusta el cine español?
(Do you like Spanish movies?)Luis: ¡Sí! Me encanta Pedro Almodóvar.
(Yes! I love Pedro Almodóvar.)
Notice: Te gusta asks “Do you like…?” while me encanta adds enthusiasm.
💼 Polite Example (Work or Study)
Colleague: ¿Le gusta trabajar en equipo?
(Do you like working in a team?)You: Sí, me agrada mucho colaborar con otros.
(Yes, I really enjoy collaborating with others.)
Polite forms like le gusta or me agrada show professionalism and respect.
📝 How to Write a Message or Note Using “Like”
Writing in Spanish becomes easier when you know natural ways to express interest.
Example Message:
Hola Marta,
Me gusta mucho tu estilo. ¡Tienes un gran talento para la fotografía!
Saludos,
Daniel
Translation:
Hi Marta,
I really like your style. You have great talent for photography!
Best,
Daniel
💡 Tip: “Me gusta tu estilo” is perfect for compliments — it’s friendly yet polite.
🌎 Cultural Insights: “Like” Across Spanish-Speaking Regions
Spanish speakers use gustar differently depending on the country. Let’s explore:
🇪🇸 Spain
People use me mola (I like it) informally. It’s common among young people.
🇲🇽 Mexico
You’ll often hear me late or está chido — both very local and friendly.
🇦🇷 Argentina
The phrase me re gusta (I really like it) adds emphasis with “re.”
🇨🇴 Colombia
Colombians often say me encanta instead of me gusta to sound more expressive.
These variations make Spanish feel alive — every country adds its own personality to the word like.
⚠️ Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
❌ Mistake #1: Saying “Yo gusto de música”
Fix: Say Me gusta la música.
Because the correct subject is “music,” not “I.”
❌ Mistake #2: Forgetting Plural Forms
Wrong: Me gusta los gatos
Correct: Me gustan los gatos (I like cats).
❌ Mistake #3: Mixing Up Encantar and Gustar
Both mean “like,” but encantar is stronger — closer to “love.”
✅ Tip: If you could live without it, use gustar. If not, use encantar.
🧠 Master Spanish by Expressing What You Like
Once you understand gustar, Spanish suddenly feels much easier.
You’ll express what you enjoy, admire, or love — and sound natural doing it.
Furthermore, you’ll start noticing how flexible the word like becomes in Spanish.
Because of this, you’ll sound more native and confident in any conversation.
In short, mastering gustar opens the door to deeper cultural connections.
🙋♀️ Frequently Asked Questions
❓What’s the main word for “like” in Spanish?
It’s gustar. It literally means “to please.”
❓Why is “me gusta” backward from English?
Because in Spanish, the thing you like is the subject, not the person.
❓What’s the difference between me gusta and me encanta?
Me gusta = I like it.
Me encanta = I love it.
❓Is there slang for “like”?
Yes — me mola (Spain), me late (Mexico), and me re gusta (Argentina).
❓Can “like” mean “similar” in Spanish?
Yes! Use como or parecido a. Example: Eres como tu madre. (You’re like your mother.)
💬 Conclusion: Go Use Me Gusta Like a Native!
Now you know how to say like in Spanish — politely, casually, and naturally.
Use me gusta in your next chat, write me encanta when you’re passionate, and try local slang like me late or me mola when traveling.
In the end, the more you use it, the more fluent you’ll sound — and the more Spanish will start to feel like second nature.
So go ahead and tell someone what you love today:
👉 ¡Me gusta aprender español! 🇪🇸
