{"id":144767,"date":"2023-07-29T17:02:49","date_gmt":"2023-07-29T21:02:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/verbs-like-gustar\/"},"modified":"2025-04-02T06:53:22","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T10:53:22","slug":"verbs-like-gustar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/spanish\/verbs-like-gustar\/","title":{"rendered":"100+ Useful Spanish Verbs Like Gustar"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I taught at a Spanish language immersion camp, I tried to make small talk with an Argentinean man by saying, \u201cMe gustan los mosquitos.<\/i>\u201d\u00a0I was greeted with a wry grin: I ended up saying \u201cI like mosquitoes,\u201d instead of \u201cmosquitoes like me\u201d (les gusto a los mosquitos<\/i>).<\/p>\n

Luckily, I\u2019ve learned a lot about this verb, gustar<\/i>, since then.\u00a0Read on to learn more about gustar<\/em> and 100+ other verbs that work in a similar way\u2014and avoid making the same mistake as me.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

How to Use the Verb Gustar<\/i><\/h2>\n

Basic Structure<\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s begin with the most commonly used and confused verb of them all: gustar<\/em><\/span>. Here are the present tense conjugations of <\/span>gustar<\/span><\/i><\/a> with their indirect object pronouns<\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
For Emphasis<\/th>Conjugation<\/th>Meaning<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
(a m\u00ed)<\/em><\/td>Me<\/strong> gusta<\/em><\/td>I like<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(a ti)<\/em><\/td>Te<\/strong> gusta<\/em><\/td>You like<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(a \u00e9l\/ella\/usted)<\/em><\/td>Le<\/strong> gusta<\/em><\/td>He\/She\/You like(s) <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(a nosotros)<\/em><\/td>Nos<\/strong> gusta<\/em><\/td>We like<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(a vosotros)<\/em><\/td>Os<\/strong> gusta<\/em><\/td>You all like<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
(a ellos\/ellas\/ustedes)<\/em><\/td>Les<\/strong> gusta<\/em><\/td>They like \/ You all like<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Notice a pattern? The indirect object pronouns describe who’s doing the liking<\/strong>, but the verb form changes based on that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can think of the Spanish \u201cto like\u201d more as \u201cto be pleasing\u201d or \u201cto please.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Here\u2019s an example:<\/span><\/p>\n

Me gustan los libros.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>(I like books.)
\n<\/span>The books please me.<\/span><\/p>\n

The literal translation is like “me they please the books.”<\/p>\n

The way that <\/span>gustar <\/span><\/i>is structured in Spanish just makes a lot more sense when you look at it in terms of \u201cto be pleasing,\u201d doesn\u2019t it?<\/span><\/p>\n

So instead of following the form:<\/span><\/p>\n

person who likes + verb + object liked\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

It follows this form:<\/span><\/p>\n

indirect object pronoun (person who likes) + verb + object liked<\/b><\/p>\n

The big difference is that the verb <\/span>gustar<\/span><\/i>\u00a0changes not based upon <\/span>who<\/span><\/i> is doing the liking, but rather\u00a0<\/span>what<\/i><\/strong> it is that’s being liked<\/strong>, in this case books. <\/span>Because “books” is plural,\u00a0<\/span>gustar<\/em> takes on the third person plural.<\/span><\/p>\n

You may have also noticed that in Spanish the article is necessary (<\/span>los libros<\/span><\/i>\u00a0instead of just <\/span>libros<\/span><\/i>\u00a0here).<\/span><\/p>\n

If it\u2019s of any comfort to know, we aren\u2019t the only ones to butcher this verb. When Spanish speakers try to directly translate <\/span>me gustan los libros<\/span><\/i> into English they run into some serious issues as well. When a student once asked me \u201cDo the books like you?\u201d in English class, and as charming as that idea may sound\u2014I do hope they like me!\u2014the sentence structure wasn’t correct.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other Conjugation Rules<\/h3>\n

Gustar<\/em> also has different forms. What you like might be an object\u2014but it can also be a human being.<\/p>\n

Now we aren\u2019t only working with the <\/span>gusta\u00a0<\/span><\/i>and <\/span>gustan<\/span><\/i>\u00a0forms. <\/span>Gusto\u00a0<\/span><\/i>(first person singular),\u00a0<\/span>gustas\u00a0<\/span><\/i>(second person singular) and <\/span>gust\u00e1is\u00a0<\/span><\/i>(third person plural) are added to the list:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Pronoun<\/th>Conjugation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Yo<\/em><\/td>Gusto<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
T\u00fa<\/em><\/td>Gustas<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00c9l\/Ella\/Usted <\/em><\/td>Gusta<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nosotros <\/em><\/td>Gustamos<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vosotros <\/em><\/td>Gust\u00e1is <\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ellos\/Ellas\/Ustedes <\/em><\/td>Gustan<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Here’s an imaginary scenario: <\/span>My best guy friend, Jaime, likes me. There’s this other guy, Enrique, that I like, but he happens to like my best friend Elena. What would this look like in Spanish? Probably a little bit like a <\/span>telenovela<\/span><\/i> (soap opera)!<\/span><\/p>\n

Me:<\/b> A Jaime le <\/span><\/i>gusto<\/i><\/b> (Jaime likes me) <\/span>pero a m\u00ed me <\/span><\/i>gustas <\/i><\/b>t\u00fa<\/i> (but I like you) <\/span>y Elena me ha dicho que a ti te <\/span><\/i>gusta<\/i><\/b>\u00a0ella<\/em> (and Elena has told me that you like her). <\/span><\/p>\n

Enrique:<\/b> A m\u00ed me <\/span><\/i>gust\u00e1is<\/i><\/b>\u00a0las dos\u00a0pero solo como amigas<\/span><\/i> (I like both\u00a0of you guys but only as friends). <\/span><\/p>\n

The same rules still apply here. The conjugation of the verb <\/span>gustar <\/span><\/i>is still dictated by the object of affection, but the problem is that your mind will want to connect the verb endings with the subject. <\/span><\/p>\n

Le gusto,\u00a0<\/i>(he\/she likes me)\u00a0for example<\/span>, has the -o<\/em>\u00a0ending which we naturally connect with the first person singular\u00a0<\/span>yo<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(I). It can therefore appear that here <\/span>you<\/span><\/i> are the one liking when in reality you’re the one being liked. <\/span><\/p>\n

The key to avoiding confusion is to create possible sentences<\/a> that could arise in conversation and practice them ahead of time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Most Important Spanish Verbs Like Gustar<\/h2>\n

Now that you\u2019ve got the basic concept down, the rest of the verbs should come pretty easily. Here’s a starting list of pesky verbs that function just like <\/span>gustar<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Encantar <\/i>(to love something)<\/h3>\n

While this verb <\/span>can<\/span><\/i> be used to refer to the love of people, and means more to be delighted or charmed by someone in certain\u00a0contexts,\u00a0<\/span>amar\u00a0<\/span><\/i>is more associated with the love of people while <\/span>encantar<\/span><\/i> tends to be used more in reference to things.\u00a0For example:<\/span><\/p>\n

A Daniel le encant\u00f3 el partido.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>(Daniel loved the game.)<\/span><\/p>\n

As with\u00a0<\/span>gustar<\/span><\/i>, the conjugation of this verb is dictated by the thing being loved (el partido). <\/em>The third person singular has been used in the past simple tense because <\/span>partido<\/span><\/i> (game) is singular. <\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>A Daniel<\/span><\/i> at the beginning of the sentence can be used to emphasize the subject (maybe you didn\u2019t like the game but he really did). It can also clarify who loved the game if you’ve been talking about more than one person (the article <\/span>le\u00a0<\/span><\/i>could refer to anyone, male or female<\/a>). <\/span><\/p>\n

2. Costar <\/i>(to cost)<\/h3>\n

The verb costar<\/em> can be used in two different senses in Spanish. The first possible usage has to do with money:<\/p>\n

Esas zapatillas le costaron a Sara cuarenta d\u00f3lares.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>(Those tennis shoes cost Sara forty dollars.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Here we’re looking at the third person plural in the simple past tense because <\/span>zapatillas <\/span><\/i>(tennis shoes) is plural. <\/span><\/p>\n

The second usage of this verb refers to difficulty:<\/span><\/p>\n

Me cuesta subir la cuesta. <\/span><\/i>(<\/span>It’s difficult for me to go up the hill.)<\/span><\/p>\n

The literal translation is: It costs<\/em> me to go up the hill.<\/p>\n

As you can see, the third person singular form,\u00a0<\/span>cuesta,<\/span><\/i>\u00a0can also be used as a noun to mean “hill.”<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Molestar <\/i>(to be a bother)<\/h3>\n

This false friend has been the cause of much confusion for many English speakers. The correct Spanish equivalent for “molest” is actually <\/span>acosar.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

La m\u00fasica de nuestro compa\u00f1ero de cuarto nos molesta much\u00edsimo.<\/span><\/i> (Our roommate’s music bothers us so much.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Music here is singular, so <\/span>molestar <\/span><\/i>is also singular.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Quedar <\/i>(remain)<\/h3>\n

Quedar<\/em> is one of those multi-use types of verbs<\/a> that will annoy the heck out of you in the beginning, but it’s indispensable\u00a0in conversation. Here I’ve provided two popular uses of this verb in Spanish. In this first sentence, quedar\u00a0<\/em>is used to mean “to remain”:<\/p>\n

S\u00f3lo me quedan tres asignaturas m\u00e1s y ya me grad\u00fao.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>(I only have three more classes left before I graduate.)<\/span><\/p>\n

The literal translation reads like: “Only for me remain three classes more and already I graduate.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Here the verb <\/span>quedar<\/span><\/i> is plural because it refers to the word <\/span>asignaturas<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(classes).<\/span><\/p>\n

Quedar <\/span><\/i>can also be used mean “to meet.” Here in Spain, it’s common to say:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00bfA qu\u00e9 hora hemos quedado?<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(What time are we going to meet at?)<\/span><\/p>\n

The literal translation of this sentence reads like: “At what time have we met?”<\/span><\/p>\n

Oddly enough, this phrase uses the present perfect to refer to a future event. When translated directly to English it’s confusing since it sounds like something that has already happened.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Sobrar <\/i>(to be left over)<\/h3>\n

Knowing the verb sobrar\u00a0<\/em>will automatically add several more Spanish words to your vocabulary. If you know that sobrar<\/em>\u00a0means “to be left over” then you can easily deduce that l<\/em>as sobras <\/em>is the word for\u00a0“leftovers.” In Spanish schools, the word sobresaliente<\/em>\u00a0is used to refer to an outstanding grade (one that goes above and beyond what is necessary to pass).<\/p>\n

Here’s an example of a common usage of the verb sobrar:<\/em><\/p>\n

Nos ha sobrado mucha comida de la fiesta que hicimos el otro d\u00eda.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>(There is a lot of food left over from the party that we had the other day.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Note that instead of <\/span>han sobrado\u00a0<\/span><\/i>(which would be the plural version of the present perfect) we have chosen <\/span>ha<\/span><\/i>\u00a0which is singular in reference to <\/span>comida<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(food). <\/span><\/p>\n

Also note that in Spanish they don’t use the verb “to have” when speaking of throwing a party like we do in English. Instead they use the verb <\/span>hacer<\/span><\/i>\u00a0which means “to do or to make.”<\/span><\/p>\n

In more slang terms, sobrar\u00a0<\/em>can be used to say that something is unnecessary. For example, if someone makes a rude or out-of-place remark in a group someone might say something like this:<\/p>\n

Ese comentario sobra.\u00a0<\/em>(That remark is\u00a0unnecessary.)<\/p>\n

6. Importar <\/i>(to be important to)<\/h3>\n

This verb, like many Spanish verbs, has a couple of different meanings including “to import” and “to be of interest.” However, the most common usage in Spanish is “to be important to.”<\/p>\n

Antes la familia le importaba mucho pero ahora s\u00f3lo le importan los amigos.<\/span><\/i> (His family used to be important to him but now only his friends are.)<\/span><\/p>\n

In this sentence where we move from the past imperfect to the simple present, the verb <\/span>importar <\/span><\/i>changes from singular to plural to accommodate first <\/span>la familia<\/span><\/i>\u00a0which is singular and then <\/span>los amigos<\/span><\/i>\u00a0which is plural. <\/span><\/p>\n

7. Aburrir <\/i>(to bore)<\/h3>\n

Besides the common meaning of “to bore,” this verb can also be used to mean “to tire,” “to annoy” or “to irritate.” In its reflexive form (aburrirse<\/strong>)<\/em> the meaning changes to mean “to become bored” in a general sense. Here’s an example of the non-reflexive usage of this verb:<\/p>\n

El b\u00e9isbol me aburre mucho.<\/span><\/i> (Baseball really bores me.)<\/span><\/p>\n

The third person singular is used here to refer to the singular noun <\/span>b\u00e9isbol.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Remember that in cases like this, the article must be added before the noun <\/span>(<\/span><\/i>el <\/i><\/b>b\u00e9isbol) <\/span><\/i>unlike in English where we simply say \u201cbaseball.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Preocupar <\/i>(to worry)<\/h3>\n

Besides the common meaning of “to worry,” this verb can also be used to mean “to interest,” “to concern” or “to care about.” Like many of the verbs in this list, this one has a reflexive form (preocuparse<\/strong>)\u00a0<\/em>which means “to become worried.” Here’s an example of\u00a0the non-reflexive usage of this verb:<\/p>\n

Me preocupas mucho.<\/span><\/i> (You really worry me.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Here the subject (me) is speaking directly to another person (you), so <\/span>preocupar <\/span><\/i>takes on the second person form of <\/span>preocupas\u00a0<\/span><\/i>rather than <\/span>preocupa<\/span><\/i>\u00a0or <\/span>preocupan.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

9. Faltar <\/i>(to be lacking something)<\/h3>\n

Along with the definition of\u00a0“to be lacking something,” faltar\u00a0<\/em>can also be used to refer to attendance.\u00a0Faltar al trabajo,\u00a0<\/em>for example, means “to miss work.” However, the most common usage of this word is in reference to lack. Here’s an example of this usage:<\/p>\n

Me faltan dos jugadores en el equipo. <\/span><\/i>(I lack two players in the team.)<\/span><\/p>\n

10. Atraer <\/i>(to attract)<\/h3>\n

In its reflexive form, atraerse<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/em>refers to the equal attraction between two things. So if we wanted to say that Mar\u00eda and Pedro were attracted to each other we would say:<\/p>\n

Mar\u00eda y Pedro se<\/strong> atraen.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

But, alas, attraction is not always reciprocated and that’s where the non-reflexive form comes in. Here’s an example of its usage:<\/p>\n

Hugo no le atrae mucho a Marina<\/span><\/i>.<\/span>\u00a0(Marina is not very attracted to Hugo.)<\/span><\/p>\n

The literal translation of this is: Hugo doesn\u2019t attract a lot to Marina.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hugo is singular so here we use <\/span>atrae<\/span><\/i>\u00a0instead of <\/span>atraen.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Notice that the clarification\/emphasis addition of <\/span>a Marina\u00a0<\/span><\/i>is placed at the end rather than at the beginning of the sentence this time but still functions in the same way. We also could have formatted the sentence as:<\/span><\/p>\n

A Marina no le atrae mucho Hugo.<\/span><\/i> (Marina is not very attracted to Hugo.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Another colloquial sort of way to express this sentiment is to use the phrase <\/span>llamar la atenci\u00f3n.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Hugo no le llama mucho la atenci\u00f3n a Marina.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(Hugo doesn\u2019t really catch her eye\/spark her interest.)<\/span><\/p>\n

The literal translation of this is: Hugo doesn\u2019t her call a lot the attention.<\/span><\/p>\n

11. Convenir <\/i>(to be in someone\u2019s interest)<\/h3>\n

The verb convenir\u00a0<\/em>probably makes you think of two things in English: convene and convenient. In this case, the word “convenient” is kind of helpful in remembering the definition of this Spanish verb. If something is convenient for you then it’s probably in your interest (though not always!).<\/p>\n

Here’s an example:<\/p>\n

Los cambios en el horario no me convienen nada.<\/em> (The changes in the schedule are not in my interest at all.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Here <\/span>los cambios\u00a0<\/span><\/i>(the changes) is plural and therefore we use<\/span>\u00a0convienen\u00a0<\/span><\/i>rather than <\/span>conviene.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

12. Parecer <\/i>(to appear to be)<\/h3>\n

Aside from its usage as a verb,\u00a0parecer\u00a0<\/em>can also be used as a noun to mean “opinion.”\u00a0Cambiar de parecer\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0the more commonly used\u00a0cambiar de opini\u00f3n\u00a0<\/em>both mean to change your mind or have a change of heart. Here’s an example of what this Spanish word looks like when functioning\u00a0as a verb:<\/p>\n

Me parece muy buena gente.<\/em> (They seem to be\/appear to be really good people)<\/span><\/p>\n

Since <\/span>gente\u00a0<\/span><\/i>(people) is singular, the verb <\/span>parecer <\/span><\/i>changes to <\/span>parece\u00a0<\/span><\/i>here.<\/span><\/p>\n

13. Doler (o:ue) <\/i>(to be painful)<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s important to note that the verb doler<\/em> becomes irregular (o<\/em> changes to ue<\/em>) in many conjugations in the simple present:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Pronoun<\/th>Conjugation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Yo<\/em><\/td>Due<\/strong>lo<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
T\u00fa<\/em><\/td>Due<\/strong>les<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00c9l\/Ella\/Usted <\/em><\/td>Due<\/strong>le<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nosotros <\/em><\/td>Dolemos<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vosotros <\/em><\/td>Dol\u00e9is<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ellos\/Ellas\/Ustedes <\/em><\/td>Due<\/strong>len<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

In the following example, however, the verb stays regular:<\/p>\n

Despu\u00e9s de andar tanto por la calle me dol\u00edan los pies.<\/i> (After walking around so much on the street my feet were hurting me.)<\/p>\n

Here we use the imperfect past tense and the third person plural to refer to pies<\/i>\u00a0(feet).<\/p>\n

14. Picar <\/i>(to itch)<\/h3>\n

Picar<\/em> is yet another Spanish verb with a wide variety of\u00a0meanings. Let’s start with an example of one of its most common uses:<\/p>\n

Nos pican mucho las picaduras que tenemos en las piernas.<\/em> (The bug bites we have on our legs really itch.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Since <\/span>picaduras\u00a0<\/span><\/i>(bug bites) is plural we’ve used the third person plural conjugation <\/span>pican\u00a0<\/span><\/i>here.<\/span><\/p>\n

As you can see, the <\/span>pica<\/span><\/i>\u00a0in <\/span>picaduras<\/span><\/i> comes from the verb <\/span>picar<\/span><\/i>. The verb <\/span>picar <\/span><\/i>can also be used as the verb \u201cto bite.\u201d For example:<\/span><\/p>\n

Siempre me pican mucho los mosquitos.<\/span><\/i> (Mosquitos always bite me a lot.) <\/span><\/p>\n

So, in the end, both the verbs \u201cto itch\u201d and \u201cto bite\u201d are represented by the Spanish verb <\/span>picar.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Not only that, but this verb is also used to mean \u201cto bite\u201d in the sense of spiciness. For example:<\/span><\/p>\n

La salsa pica mucho.<\/span><\/i> (The salsa is really spicy.)<\/span><\/p>\n

But wait, there\u2019s more! <\/span>Picar <\/span><\/i>is also slang for the phrase \u201cto pick on\u201d but is always used in a pretty lighthearted sense. For example, a child might use this word to complain to their mother when a sibling is teasing them:<\/span><\/p>\n

M\u00e1ma, me est\u00e1 picando Sandra. Me dice que no s\u00e9 cantar.<\/span><\/i> (Mom, Sandra is picking on me. She says I don\u2019t know how to sing.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Important Phrases with These Tricky Verbs<\/h2>\n

Now that we\u2019ve learned some of the most commonly used verbs that follow the same pattern as <\/span>gustar, <\/span><\/i>I\u2019ll leave you with some extremely popular Spanish phrases whose verbs also follow the same pattern.<\/span><\/p>\n

Volver loco <\/i>(drive crazy, drive mad)<\/h3>\n

You’ve probably heard this phrase before in a reggaeton song.<\/p>\n

Me vuelves loco <\/span><\/i>(You drive me crazy)<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s an example of the\u00a0usage of this phrase in its reflexive form:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Andr\u00e9s se ha vuelto loco <\/span><\/i>(Andr\u00e9s has gone crazy)<\/span><\/p>\n

Caer bien \/ mal <\/i>(to give a good\/bad impression)<\/h3>\n

Both caer fatal\u00a0<\/i>and caer gordo<\/i>\u00a0can be used to mean that someone has given you a really bad impression or you really don\u2019t like them.<\/p>\n

Ese t\u00edo me ha ca\u00eddo gordo.<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>That guy has given me a really bad impression\/I really don\u2019t like that guy.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Literal translation: That uncle me has fallen fat.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quedar bien \/ mal <\/i>(to suit\/to not suit)<\/h3>\n

This phrase is usually used in reference to style and fashion in general. For example:<\/p>\n

Ese vestido te queda fenomenal.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>(That dress suits you really well\/looks amazing on you.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Dar asco <\/i>(to be loathsome)<\/h3>\n

Take the Spanish verb dar <\/em>then\u00a0add a noun: this is a common formula for a huge portion of Spanish phrases. Dar asco<\/em> is just one of many. For example,\u00a0dar calabazas\u00a0<\/em>(give pumpkins) is a colloquial\u00a0phrase used in Spanish to mean “to reject.”<\/p>\n

The phrase\u00a0dar ca\u00f1a\u00a0<\/em>is normally used as a command meaning “to get a move on” or “to hurry up.” While both these phrases are quite\u00a0slang in nature,\u00a0dar asco\u00a0<\/em>is an extremely common, everyday sort of Spanish phrase:<\/p>\n

Las ara\u00f1as me dan asco.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Spiders disgust me.<\/span><\/p>\n

Literal translation: The spiders me give disgust.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another phrase that can also be used in this sense (but is not limited to it) is <\/span>dar cosa<\/span><\/i>:<\/span><\/p>\n

Las ara\u00f1as me dan cosa.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Spiders give me the creeps.<\/span><\/p>\n

Literal translation: The spiders me give thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s another example with the phrase <\/span>dar cosa\u00a0<\/span><\/i>that doesn\u2019t have quite the same connotation:<\/span><\/p>\n

Me da cosa abrir el regalo porque el papel es tan bonito.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>(I feel funny about opening the gift because the wrapping paper is so beautiful.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Hacer falta <\/i>(to be needed\/necessary)<\/h3>\n

The phrase no hace falta<\/i>\u00a0is a very common one here in Spain and is used to mean \u201cit\u2019s not necessary.\u201d When we want to say that something is necessary, this is how the phrase functions in Spanish:<\/p>\n

En esta casa hace falta aire acondicionado.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>(This house needs air conditioning.)<\/span><\/p>\n

100+ More Spanish Verbs Like Gustar<\/h2>\n

Aside from the examples above, there are tons of other Spanish words that follow the same conjugation rules as “gustar.” Most of them are related to emotions and preferences:\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Spanish Verb<\/th>Meaning<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Agobiar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To overwhelm, to burden<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Agotar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To exhaust<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Agradar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To please<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alegrar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To make happy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aliviar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To relieve<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alterar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To upset<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alucinar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To amaze, to hallucinate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Amargar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To embitter, to sour<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Angustiar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To distress<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Apetecer <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To feel like \/ to crave<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Asombrar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To astonish<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Asquear <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To disgust<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Apasionar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To be passionate about<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Asustar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To frighten, to scare<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Atormentar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To torment, to torture<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aterrar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To terrify<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aturdir <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To stun, to bewilder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Avergonzar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To embarrass, to shame<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bastar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To be enough<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cabrear <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To annoy, to anger<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Caer <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To like, to appeal to<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Calmar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To calm, to soothe<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cansar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To tire, to weary<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cautivar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To captivate, to charm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Complacer <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To please, to satisfy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Conmocionar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To shock<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Conmover <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To move emotionally<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Consolar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To console, to comfort<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Contentar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To satisfy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dar miedo <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To scare, to frighten<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dar pena <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To feel sorry for<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dar verg\u00fcenza <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To feel embarrassed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Deleitar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To delight, to please<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Desagradar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To displease<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Desalentar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To discourage<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Desconcertar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To confuse, to bewilder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Desesperar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To despair<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Desilusionar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To disappoint, to disillusion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Divertir <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To amuse, to entertain<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Embelesar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To captivate, to enchant<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Embriagar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To intoxicate, to enrapture<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Emocionar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To excite, to move emotionally<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Empalagar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To be too sweet, to be sickeningly sweet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Enamorar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To fall in love with, to enchant<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Encantar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To love, to delight<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Enfadar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To anger<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Enfurecer <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To infuriate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Enorgullecer <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To make proud<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Entristecer <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To sadden<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Entusiasmar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To enthuse, to excite<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Enojar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To make angry<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Envalentonar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To embolden, to encourage<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Escandalizar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To scandalize<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Estremecer <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To shudder, to shake<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Estresar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To stress<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Exasperar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To exasperate, to irritate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Extra\u00f1ar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To surprise, to find odd<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fascinar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To fascinate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fastidiar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To bother, to annoy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fatigar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To tire, to weary<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Halagar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To flatter, to compliment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Horrorizar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To horrify<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Impactar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To impact, to have an impact<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Impresionar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To impress<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Incomodar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To inconvenience, to bother<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Indignar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To anger, to outrage<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Inquietar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To worry, to disturb<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Inspirar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To inspire<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Interesar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To interest<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Intrigar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To intrigue<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Irritar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To irritate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maravillar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To marvel, to amaze<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Marear <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To make dizzy, to confuse<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mortificar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To mortify<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Obsesionar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To obsess<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ofender <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To offend<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Perjudicar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To harm, to damage<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Perturbar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To disturb, to perturb<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Provocar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To provoke<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Reconfortar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To comfort, to console<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Repugnar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To disgust<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Satisfacer <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To satisfy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sorprender <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To surprise<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sosegar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To calm, to soothe<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tentar <\/a>\n <\/em><\/td>To tempt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

How to Practice Verbs Like Gustar<\/h2>\n

Since these verbs don’t follow the usual structure, here’s how you can master them more quickly:\u00a0<\/p>\n

Prepare Your Mind for a Break in the Pattern<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the biggest reasons why we fail over and over again with verbs like <\/span>gustar <\/span><\/i>is that we don\u2019t mentally separate them from the rest. To remember these kinds of verbs, they absolutely must be studied separately<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Use this article to group together all of the verbs that don\u2019t follow the familiar \u201csubject + verb + object\u201d formula<\/a>, and you\u2019re already one step closer to dominating this difficult grammatical concept. <\/span><\/p>\n

Anticipate Mistakes<\/strong><\/p>\n

We often don’t anticipate how it’s very, very easy to make mistakes in conversation when using verbs like <\/span>gustar<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your mind will need more time to correctly conjugate these verbs<\/a>. Practice forming sentences<\/strong> with these types of verbs\u2014especially with <\/span>gustar\u2014<\/span><\/i>on your own so that you can be mentally quick in conversation and you\u2019ll be ahead of the game when the time comes to put them to use.<\/span><\/p>\n

Listen to the Words in Use<\/strong><\/p>\n

The best way to learn words like\u00a0gustar<\/em> is to hear them in use by actual Spanish speakers.<\/p>\n

Watch out for these words and phrases in native Spanish content<\/strong>, such as books<\/a> and online videos<\/a>. FluentU<\/a>, for instance, features authentic Spanish media clips with interactive subtitles that break down the vocabulary and grammar for you.

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

<\/p> \r\n

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

P.S. If you decide to sign up now, you can take advantage of our current sale!<\/a><\/i>\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n \"FluentU\r\n

\r\n