Gustan, Gusta, & Gustar

Question

what is the different between gustan, gustar, and gusta

Answer 1

Me gustan = I like them (they please me)

Me gusta = I like it (it pleases me)

"Gustar" is what in English is called a backward verb. It works backward from what you expect. Think of "gustar" as meaning "to please." I know I'll get some rebuttal on that, but that's the way I think of it, and it keeps me out of trouble.

I like the book (the book pleases me) = Me gusta el libro.

Answer 2

And of course, it also works in the other tenses the same way, such as the preterite:

Me gustó el almuerzo: I liked the lunch.

Answer 3

You may want to look at a succeeding question entitled "A él le gustan las naranjas" for some more explanation on this.