Topic arcade · Spanish grammar
Gusta vs Gustan, learned by playing
In Spanish you do not "like" things, things are pleasing to you. So the verb agrees with the thing liked: one thing is gusta, more than one is gustan. Learn it the way it sticks: fast, repeated, with the rule after every answer and the sentence spoken aloud. 64 real sentences, two arcade games, no sign-up.
The idea in one minute
Look at the thing that is liked, not at who likes it. Me, te, le, nos and les say who, and they never change the verb. One thing or an action: GUSTA. Two or more things: GUSTAN.
A singular noun (el, la, este, mi) or an infinitive.
- One thing: Me gusta el helado de fresa. — I like strawberry ice cream.
- An action (infinitive): A Pedro le gusta bailar salsa. — Pedro likes to dance salsa.
A plural noun (los, las, estos, mis).
- More than one thing: Me gustan los tacos de pollo. — I like chicken tacos.
Play it
A good order: start with Rush to build the reflex, then Slice to see the words side by side. The classic quiz is a calm way to check yourself.
Gusta or Gustan Rush
Sentences fall toward two bins. Send each one to GUSTA or GUSTAN before it lands, and see the rule every time.
Gusta or Gustan Slice
Four verb forms fly up and one fits the blank. Slice gusta or gustan and see the rule each time.
Gusta vs Gustan
Gusta or gustan? Pick the right form for each sentence, a calm multiple-choice check.
One thing or many
The same person likes both. Only the number of things changes the verb.
| GUSTA | GUSTAN |
|---|---|
| Me gusta el helado. I like the ice cream. | Me gustan los helados. I like the ice creams. |
| A Ana le gusta bailar. Ana likes to dance. | A Ana le gustan los bailes. Ana likes the dances. |
| Nos gusta la playa. We like the beach. | Nos gustan las playas. We like the beaches. |
Questions
When do I say gusta and when gustan?
Gustar agrees with the thing that is liked, not with the person who likes it. One thing, or an action, takes gusta (me gusta el helado, me gusta bailar). More than one thing takes gustan (me gustan los helados, me gustan las películas).
What does me, te, le, nos or les do?
They say who likes it: me (I), te (you), le (he, she, you formal), nos (we) and les (they, you all). They never change the verb: it is me gusta and me gustan, te gusta and te gustan.
Why is it gusta when I like two actions?
Actions are singular, even in a list. Me gusta cantar y bailar uses gusta. Only separate plural things, like los perros y los gatos, take gustan.
What are 'a mí', 'a ti' and 'a mi hermana' for?
They stress or clarify who likes it: a mi hermana le gusta el chocolate. The verb still follows the thing that is liked, not the person named.
Which game should I start with?
Start with Gusta or Gustan Rush to build the reflex, then try Gusta or Gustan Slice, where four verb forms fly up and you slice the one that fits. The classic quiz is a calm way to check yourself.
Is it free, and do I need an account?
It is free and plays in your browser with no sign-up. Sign in only if you want to save your results and add sentences to your review deck.
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