when to use me gusta or me gustaria

Question

Wich expression sould I use Me gusta comer or Me gustaria comer

what is the difference

Answer 1

l like to eat beans... = me gusta comer frijoles.

I would like to eat beans =me gustaría comer frijoles.

Answer 2

Hi Tio,

Your first sentence, "Me gusta comer", means "I like to eat" (Literally, it pleases me to eat.) The second, "Me gustaría comer", means "I would like to eat" (Literally, it would please me to eat). So, which you use depends on what you would like to say.

The first sentance uses the present tense of the verb gustar, and the second uses the conditional tense.

J

Thanks J...excelent response...very clear - TioSamy, Sep 8, 2010

Answer 3

The 2nd sentence is considered more polite when making requests, but most polite is the imperfect subjunctive (quisiera)

polite suggestion:

Me gustaría ir al cine.

Quisiera ir al cine.