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"Gustar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to like", and "caer bien" is a transitive verb phrase which is also often translated as "to like". Learn more about the difference between "gustar" and "caer bien" below.
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.
caer bien(
kah
-
ehr
byehn
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. to like
¿Te cae bien la nueva profesora de inglés?Do you like the new English teacher?
Sus hermanos me caen muy bien.I like her brothers a lot.
caerse bien
A pronominal verb phrase combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Se dio cuenta del problema.)
a. to like each other
Ya sabes que tu hermano y yo no nos caemos bien.You know your brother and I don't like each other.
b. to get on
Es evidente que Jorge y Tere no se caen bien.It's obvious that Jorge and Tere don't get on.