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"Ser" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to be", and "gustar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to like". Learn more about the difference between "ser" and "gustar" below.
ser(
sehr
)
A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
copular verb
a. to be
Es alto y rubio.He's tall and blond.
Mi abuela es profesora.My grandma is a teacher.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to be
Soy de Nueva York.I'm from New York.
a. to be
El lápiz es para escribir, no para lanzar.Pencils are for writing, not for throwing.
a. to be
¿Cuánto es el total? - Son diez dólares.How much does it come to? - It's ten dollars.
a. to be made of
El casillero antiguo de mi abuela es de roble.My grandma's antique dresser is made of oak.
a. to be
Este reloj es de mi madre.This watch is my mother's.
a. to be
La fiesta será en mi casa.The party will be at my place.
a. to root for
Yo soy del mejor equipo del mundo: FC Barcelona.I root for the best team in the world: FC Barcelona.
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
impersonal verb
a. to be
Son las siete de la mañana.It is seven in the morning.
Era de noche cuando llegaron.It was night when they arrived.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
auxiliary verb
a. to be
El edificio fue diseñado por un equipo de arquitectos.The building was built by a team of architects.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. being
Hay un ser vivo en el lago, pero no sé qué es.There's a living being in the lake, but I don't know what it is.
a. person
Su papá es un ser muy agradable.Her dad is a very nice person.
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gustar(
goos
-
tahr
)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to like
Me gusta la comida mexicana.I like Mexican food.
b. to please
A ella le gustó ver a su hijo tan contento.She was pleased to see her son so happy.
a. to like
¿Crees que le gusto?Do you think she likes me?
b. to fancy
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(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.).
transitive verb
a. to taste (food)
¿Puedes gustar esta salsa? ¿Le pongo más sal?Can you taste this sauce? Should I add more salt?
5. (to desire)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. to want
¿Gustan algo más?Do you want anything else?
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