Why can't I say "Le amo"?

Question

It has to be "Lo amo/La amo" because the "you" is the direct object. Yet I say "le encanta" and "le gusta". For example' "Le encanta el pescado". "It enchants him" - shouldn't "he" be a direct object as well?" The more I think about it the more confused I become - so I hope my question made sense! Gracias!

Answer 1

I'll try not to get too technical here, but "gustar" and "encantar" are intransitive verbs, meaning that they can't accept a direct object, whereas "amar" is a transitive verb, meaning that it can accept a direct object.

"Gustar" is often inaccurately (when it comes to understanding how the verb works) translated as "to like" or "to please" when it should be "to be pleasing (to)." "Encantar" is the same way and really means "to be enchanting (to)." In your examples, "he" is actually an indirect object because of the way the verb works. For example, "(a él) le encanta el pescado" sounds better in English as "the fish enchants him," but translated more literally it would be "the fish is enchanting to him" or, to try and keep the syntactical structure, "to him is enchanting the fish."

"Amar," however, being transitive, accepts a direct object. So, "I love you (formal)" would be "lo/a amo" because "you" is directly receiving the action of love and thus, is the direct object.

Out of interest, you may want to look at the leísmo variation in which "le" is used in the place of "lo," especially when referring to people.

Oh my goodness. Thank you so much! This has been bothering me for a couple of hours! (I know - get a life, right!?) I read up on leismo - and it helped me understand why "le" is used sometimes. Part of my confusion came from an AP Spanish teacher who - lalacita1, Jul 15, 2011

I see nothing wrong wrestling with an issue like for a few hours. It shows dedication! ;0) - freeze10108, Jul 15, 2011

My word you have done the impossible here mate , i understood what you were saying , well that is a first , so I thank you . Oh , and it made sense too . - ray76, Jul 15, 2011

Worth a vote. - ray76, Jul 15, 2011

Excelent answer, freeze! - LuisCache, Jul 15, 2011

Answer 2

Welcome lalacita1 , and thank you for a good question.

And freez10108 , for a well answered reply .

It was my pleaure. : ) - freeze10108, Jul 15, 2011