Difference between these two terms

Question

What is the difference between these two terms

1. A las mujeres les gustan al tenis

and

1. Las mujeres les gustan al tenis

They both show the same meaning in translate. When do we use 1 as opposed to 2 ?

Answer 1

You should use (see the typos corrected):

A las mujeres les gusta el tenis.

Because, in Spanish, if want to write 'I like tennis', you must write "A mí me gusta el tenis" (Tennis is liked for me).

In addition, you have to use the definite article "el" (or "la") before the object that is liked and (this is important) you must use gusta instead of gustan because of the number of that object; that is: tennis is singular, then use gusta. Some examples:

• Me gustan los bombones. - I like chocolates.
• Le gustan los amaneceres. - He likes sunrises.
• Les gustan los libros. - They like books.
• Me gusta el baloncesto. - I like basketball.
• Le gusta el fútbol. - She likes soccer.
• Les gusta la comida mejicana. - They like Mexican food.

You can omit the article when the object of the like is an action:

• Me gusta leer poesía. - I like to read poetry.
• Le gusta jugar en la calle. - He likes to play outside.
• Les gusta hacer barbacoas los domingos. - They like to have barbecues on Sundays.

I hope this helps.

See katydew's answer on why you need the 'A' in "A las mujeres".

[Feel free to correct my English. Thank you]

Answer 2

Inteligible has given an excellent answer with a really good explanation.

You could say, "Les gusta el tenis", but adding the 'A las mujeres' clears up who likes tennis. As soon as you add the 'who', you have to add the 'A' & it has to go with the person or persons.

Remember that the translator can be used as a guide, but there are often mistakes in the translations, so it shouldn't be taken as perfect usage or grammar.

Answer 3

la primero lo tiene a.