Gustar grammar

Question

I learned in an intro Spanish class this week how to say I like to do something. We were taught to say A mí me gusta cocinar and A nosotros nos gusta cocinar, for example. Further, we were taught that the A me can be dropped, so Me gusta cocinar or Nos gusta cocinar (which makes sense to me). At this point, though, we haven't really discussed too much grammar in the class, so we were basically told to ignore what's going on in the A mí me part. I'm curious though!

I'd really appreciate if someone could elaborate on the grammatical function of each part of the sentence. Thanks in advance!

Great question...welcome to the forum! - --Mariana--, Sep 17, 2012

Answer 1

Sure.

A mí me gusta leer.

The italicized part signifies to whom the action is being recieved. This part is optional since the idirect object pronoun that follows this relays the same message. This is only included for emphasis.

The bolded part is the indirect object pronoun. It explains to whom the action is preformed.

The boded and italicized part is the verb gustar, which is conjugated to suit our subject (in this case our subject is "leer," as it acts as a noun.)

Remember that in Sanish, this sentence literally means "To read (S) is pleasing(V) to me(IO)."

Thanks! - wbyoung, Sep 16, 2012

Answer 2

This lesson explains how gustar, and other verbs like it, works - you may find it useful. Gustar

Good source! Thanks! - rheit, Sep 17, 2012

Thanks Rheit :) - Kiwi-Girl, Sep 17, 2012

Answer 3

As Brady says,

This is only included for emphasis.

For example.....

I say, "Me gusta el helado." (I like ice cream)

Then you say, "Pues, a mí me gusta la torta." (Well, I like cake)

This "a mí emphasizes the "Well, i like something different than you do."

You'd really only use "a mí, a ti, a él, etc.) to compare what you or they like to others.