2 verbs for like

Question

Are there 2 different verba for like first one is " gustar" and 2nd one is "quisiera" And how is one different from the other. I mean in what context are they used. For instance : A mi me gusta ir a la playa. And the second example is : Quisiera comprar una libra de tomate.

Welcome to SD amiga. - ian-hill, Nov 16, 2014

Answer 1

Hmm I am not the best to answer this but lets give it a go.

You are in two completely different verbs.

Gustar

Querer

I like martinis-- me gustan los martinis.

Quisiera un martini -- I would like a martini (as in ordering at a restaurant).

Gustar has its own special habits, and I would suggest a visit to "word reference.com" for clarification for both verbs. I am also sure several members here can clarify this better for you.

typo I'm sure... gustan :) - Tosh, Nov 16, 2014

The prince of typos strikes again ! - pacofinkler, Nov 16, 2014

¿Quien Paco, Tú? - sanlee, Nov 17, 2014

Jejej yes of course me - pacofinkler, Nov 18, 2014

Answer 2

Gustar and Querer are the two verbs you are referring to. They are both tricky.

You use gustar for things that you like and/or like to do. It kind of works backwards in that you (or the person doing the liking) is the object and the thing being liked is the subject. But that is a whole other topic.

Querer is: to like, to want, to love. And is used in many ways.

Examples:

• I would like an ice cream; Me gustaría/querría un helado. Both are fine.
• I like ice cream. Me gusta helado.
• I want ice cream. Quiero helado.
• I like Anna. Me gusta Anna. Le quiero a Anna. Both work but with very different meanings. I want Anna or I love/care for Anna. The use of Gustar here can be sensitive depending on where you are. That is to say Gustar has different connotations when referring to things or people.

Take a little time to read the dictionary entries on both of these verbs. There are a lot of good examples.

Welcome to SpanDict.

Te quiero a Anna. "Te" refers to 'you'. If you're speaking directly to her, you can say: "Te quiero(, Anna)." If you're talking about her, you say: "La quiero." or "Quiero a Anna." - Suzanne_Romijnders, Nov 16, 2014

"Me gusta a Anna." I think you're trying to use the indirect-object-'a', but verbs like gustar work differently from others. 'Anna' is not the object, she is the subject, 'yo' is the object, that's why you can write: "(A mí) me gusta Anna." - Suzanne_Romijnders, Nov 16, 2014

Otherwise you make a good point. :) - Suzanne_Romijnders, Nov 16, 2014

Thanks Suzy. I continue making these same mistakes - gringojrf, Nov 16, 2014

Answer 3

OP, the SpanishDict translator offers many example sentences in which gustar, but also other verbs such as caer bien, querer, encantar, tener gracia, darse la gana etc. etc. etc. if you just prompt it with the English 'like'. Then you can see exactly in which situation to use what.

The most common one is gustar, I advise you to start with that. Querer is also a very useful one, but it's more often used for 'want' and 'love'.

I explained here how to use verbs like gustar. If you have any further questions, let me know and I'll be happy to provide more examples or try a different approach. ^3^

Answer 4

Thank you so much for your feed back. I am just a novice at the language.. but I do so love it !!

Welcome to the forum! - rac1, Nov 18, 2014

Answer 5

A mi me gusta ir a la playa. - I like going to the beach. To me it is a pleasure to go to the beach,

Quisiera comprar una libra de tomate. - I would like to buy a pound of tomatoes.

(polite request instead of "Quiero comprar una libra de tomate - I want to buy a pound of tomatoes)

There is no need of the "A mí " in your first sentence, other than being emphatic :) - Clío, Nov 16, 2014