does "me gusta" mean "i like to" or "i like"

Question

does this make sense? "me gusta ciencias naturales "

You would have to say. "Me gustan las ciencias naturales." - tincontro, Nov 22, 2011

Answer 1

It does not mean "I like" or "I like to", actually.

Gustar means "to please", so by saying "me gusta", you are saying it pleases me. Obviously, that's not how we interpret it in English, so we translate it by saying I like.

Me gustan mis pantalones.

The pants please me.

I like the pants.

Another example

A Maria le gusta leer.

Reading pleases Maria.

Maria likes to read.

Very good, Sonrisa! Phrases such as "Reading pleases me" are generally considered "weak" (reading does not DO anything); it is Maria who "finds pleasure in reading" hence Maria likes =to read=/=reading=. - Lector_Constante, Nov 22, 2011

so does this make sense? - jhkjlhl, Nov 22, 2011

me gusta ciencias naturles? - jhkjlhl, Nov 22, 2011

Answer 2

A small quibble with the responses from Sonrisa and Jimmji. The essence of their responses is quite correct. If English speakers want to understand the syntax of "gustar", it is helpful to think of it as meaning "to please" (that way, one gets the proper subject [who/what is doing the pleasing]) with which the verb, of course, must agree).

On the other hand, the job of translation is not to illustrate the grammar/syntax of the original language but, rather, to render the thought naturally in the target language. Unless the author is trying to achieve some special effect, the translation should not sound unnatural/stilted.

Answer 3

I think "me gustar" can be better understood if we translate it as "... is pleasing me" in English

"Something is pleasing me" does not make sense, do you mean "Something is pleasing TO me"? Unfortunately the verb phrase "is pleasing to me" is very weak in its connotations and sounds stilted. - Lector_Constante, Nov 22, 2011

Answer 4

"Me gusta" means "I like". But if it is followed by an infinitive verb, it means "I like to...verb". If it is followed by an article and a noun, it means "I like... noun".

For example, me gusta bailar means "I like to dance." Also, me "gustan los tomates" means "I like tomatoes". Basically, it just depends on what gustar is followed by.

Answer 5

I have been struggling to get this right and Heidita pointed me in the direction of the thread in resources link text I hope that helps.