Expressing Love, Like and Want in Spanish

Spanish verbs: gustar, encantar, querer, amar.

There are many different words used to express these ideas in Spanish. The meaning the speaker is trying to convey will determine which one is appropriate. With 21 Spanish-speaking countries, many have different rules as to when to use amar, gustar and encantar.

Generally, most countries agree with the following:

Four Verbs Meaning To Like in Spanish

Amar

The verb amar (to love) shares Latin roots with the English word amorous and enamored. The use of the verb expresses a profound affection for someone. Ejemplo: Mamá, te amo mucho.

Examples:

Yo amo mucho a mis padres. - I love my parents very much.
Te amo. - I love you.

Querer

There's also the verb querer, which can also mean both to love (someone) or to want (something). You've probably heard Te quiero (I love you) and Yo quiero una hamburguesa (I want a hamburger).

Examples:

Yo quiero un coche nuevo. - I want a new car.
Cada día te quiero más. - Each day, I love you more.

Encantar

Then there is the verb encantar (to love or to enchant), which is used to express love in the sense of liking something very much. For example: Me encanta esta ciudad (I love this city) and Me encanta esos pantalones (I love those pants).

Note: the verb encantar is used indentically to gustar: it agrees with the object of affection (la ciudad, esos pantalones) instead of the speaker. The construction, if expressed literally in English, might be: Those pants enchant me.

Examples:

Me encanta la pizza de queso. - I love cheese pizza.
Me encanta el trabajo. - I love the job.

Gustar

Gustar is used to express like or to be pleasing. In English, the verb gustar is in fact literally translated as to please. It is figuratively translated as to like. If it literally meant to like, yo gusto would mean I like, and it certainly does not mean that, because it literally means: I please...

Examples:

Me gusta la clase. - I like the class.
- Literally: The class is pleasing to me.
Me gustan los deportes. - I like sports.
Me gusta nadar. - I like to swim.
Me gusta el fútbol. - I like soccer.
Me gustan el fútbol y el baloncesto. - I like soccer and basketball.

Learn More

View the following presentation on the verbs amar, querer, and gustar. Take notes as you view the material as you will be responsible for the content. Be sure your speakers are turned up!

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.