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"Alegrar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to cheer up", and "gustar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to like". Learn more about the difference between "alegrar" and "gustar" below.
alegrar(
ah
-
leh
-
grahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. to make happy
Nos alegraste mucho con la noticia de que vamos a ser abuelos.You've made us really happy with the news that we're going to be grandparents.
2. (to enliven)
alegrarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
3. (to rejoice)
c. to be glad
Me alegro de que lo preguntes, porque me había olvidado de mencionarlo.I'm glad you ask, since I had forgotten to mention it.
a. to get tipsy (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Una cerveza no es suficiente para alegrarme.One beer is not enough to get me tipsy.
b. to get merry (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Se alegró con solo un sorbo de vino.She got merry with just one sip of wine.
gustar(
goos
-
tahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to enjoy)
b. to fancy (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Me gusta mucho tu primo. ¿Cómo se llama?I really fancy your cousin. What's his name?
a. to be liked
Las columnas de Rita gustan mucho. Las vamos a seguir publicando.Rita's columns are liked a lot. We'll keep on publishing them.
b. to be popular
No entiendo por qué gusta tanto el vino espumante. Lo detesto.I can't understand why sparkling wine is so popular. I hate it.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
4. (to test)
5. (to desire) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
