Usage of 'Gustar' verb

Question

When translating the sentence ''I like to dance and sing'' into Spanish, what should be the correct translation? Will it be ''Me gusta a bailar y cantar'' or ''Me gustan a bailar y cantar''? 'Gusta' or 'Gustan' which form should be used? I am really confused over this----how to use the 'Gustar' verb when there are more than one infinitives in a sentence and need help. Take Best, Basudha.

Answer 1

Me gusta bailar y cantar. You use 'gusta' instead 'gustan'

Me gustan los perros (I like the dogs) You're talking about a plural subject, so you use 'gustan'

Me gusta el perro (I like the dog) Now, you have a singural subject, so you use 'gusta', and this verb works when you're using other verbs in infitive, by example, Me gusta jugar (I like to play), it doesn't matter if you're using two or more verbs.

Answer 2

This link has a very detailed and informative discussion about the verb gustar.

Here's the link:

gustar

The below is an extract that answers your immediate question:

If what is liked is an "action" or several "actions" (represented by one or more infinitives), the form of "gustar" is always singular.

Me gusta bailar, nadar y cantar. Les gusta bailar, nadar y cantar. Nos gusta bailar, nadar y cantar. Le gusta bailar, nadar y cantar.

I fixed the link - lagartijaverde, Mar 15, 2013

Answer 3

Me gusta la música y bailar. I like music and dancing.

I got this sentence here;

gustar

I will always default to the RAE but in this case it would be less awkward to say "el baile" to avoid mixing a possible misconception of a verb with noun, or just say "el baile" - 005faa61, Mar 15, 2013