Mucho Gusto mix up

Question

Okay, so this website says that "mucho gusto" means "nice to meet you". And I have confirmed this with a Spanish speaking friend. But when I asked her to clarify this there was a language barrier and so maybe you can help me. Doesn't "mucho" mean much? And "Gusto" means great? So is "mucho gusto" also very good?

And I know that sometimes words don't neccessarilly mean what they are. Like I told my friend that she "rocks". And she made me explain myself. Is this just one of those instances like that?

Thank you so much for your answers. I do get hung up on word for word translations. I will from now on see "mucho gusto" as a pair of words. That will help me. Thank you again! - marissajprice, Jan 18, 2011

Answer 1

Well, its just that it means two different things. Yes, mucho does mean much. But when you put it with gusto it means nice to meet you. Some Spanish words are like that.

For example, the word 'mañana' means tomorrow. HOWEVER, if you put this word with 'de la' like : "... de la mañana." it now means in the morning.

If this really bothers you or whatever, than dont think of it as translating each word. Think of mucho gusto as a group of words and together as that group of words it means nice to meet you.

Answer 2

Hello Marissa, welcome to the Forum.

We do have a pretty nice online dictionary that you can use to check these things out.

"Gusto" does not mean "great"; it means "taste" or "pleasure". In this particular context it means "pleasure", so we interpret it literally as "much pleasure" or "great pleasure" (to meet you).

Answer 3

In this context gusto means joy or pleasure. A lot of joy. ¡Un placer! or as you said "nice to meet you". I wouldn't get hung up on word-for-word translations and spend more time on learning the contexts in which the phrases are applicable.

Think of it as the English word gusto if it helps.

gusto [?g?st??]

vigorous enjoyment, zest, or relish, esp in the performance of an action the aria was sung with great gusto

[from Spanish: taste, from Latin gustus a tasting; see gustation]

Answer 4

You simply cannot (oughtn't) expect to be able to do a word-for-word translation between languages. Once in a while this works but these are exceptions. "mucho gusto" = "much pleasure" (but we wouldn't say this in English). We might, however, say "it is a (great) pleasure to meet you" or "I am pleased to meet you." or "It's my pleasure." All of these convey the same general meaning but differ in the details (the manner of expression). There are, at least, a dozen other ways to convey the same meaning (in either Spanish or English).You need to be concerned with the meaning not the specific words used to express/convey that meaning.