Verbs Ending in -le

Question

I was wondering how to use verbs that end in -le. Some examples are 'caerle bien' meaning to like someone and 'darle la mano' meaning to shake someone's hand.

I know that if I were to say él me cae bien, it would mean I like him. I do not understand why though because in this sentence the structure to me would mean he likes me.

Thanks all in advance!

Answer 1

Hi Smw!

Your question refers to two different things. Let's start with the first one.

There is no such a thing as "verbs that end in -le". All Spanish infinitives (full verbs) end in -ar, -er or -ir (sometimes they have a "se" attached to the end, but let's ignore that now).

The "le" that you see in "gustarle" and "caerle" is the indirect object referring to a third person singular (him/her) that usually goes before the conjugated verb (le caigo bien), but it can also be attached to the infinitive. If you have a phrasal with a conjugated verb and an infinitive you can either put it before the first verb or attach it to the last ("le quiero caer bien" or "quiero caerle bien") but if you only have an infinitive you must attach it (caerle bien es muy importante para mí) -please let me know if this needs further explanation.

On the other hand,

I do not understand why though because in this sentence the structure to me would mean he likes me.

Verbs as "gustar", "encantar", "molestar" and this use of "caer" (as in "to like") work different than most verbs and the subject becomes the object. Think of it as "to be pleasing"

I like him: he is pleasing to me. This second phrase is closer to Spanish: él me cae bien. He likes me: I am pleasing to him. Le caigo bien. Check this post for further details: http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/292851/conjugation-verb

Thank you. :) - rac1, Jun 22, 2017

My pleasure! - Shamelesspanish, Jun 22, 2017

Answer 2

Hello!

Here are some links from 2011 & 2014 that might be the answer to your question.

• What does the "le" or "la" mean at the end of a verb?
• using la and le after verbs

Hope this helps.

Regards!

Answer 3

SMW, it's just like "gustarle". Neither "gustarle" or "caerle" are verbs in themselves, although they contain a verb. The two are used in the same way.

"A María le cae bien Roberto". "Roberto seems like a nice guy to María". That's a fair interpretation.