Article Directory :: Reference & Education Articles

The Difference Between Liking And "Liking" Someone In Spanish

By Jason Vachon

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 02Feb2008 Word count: 635 Viewed: 538 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

In Spanish there are two distinctive ways to say that you like someone. One of these ways is used to express that you like someone in a romantic way. The other way is used to express that you simply like them as a person or a friend.

In English we normally use just one word, "like." Context or further clarification will reveal if you like them as a person or are attracted to them in a romantic way.

Here's how you can quickly and easily distinguish between the two and avoid a lot of embarrassment or misunderstandings when you are speaking Spanish with native speakers.

When people learn Spanish they are taught to use a form of the verb "gustar" which is "to like." This is the normal way to say if your like something.

Examples:

I like to travel. Me gusta viajar. (meh goos-tah vee-ah-hahr.)

I like this movie. Me gusta esta película. (meh goos-tah ehs-tah peh-lEE-coo-lah.)

Note that in English when we say "I like" we are the one creating the action of the verb. In Spanish it is the opposite. Whatever you are saying you like is creating the action of the verb. A literal translation of the examples above would be "traveling pleases me" or "this movie pleases me." This may seem awkward at first but it's the natural way to say you like something in Spanish.

Since this is the normal way to say you like something people learning Spanish often use it in reference to people. It's a common mistake English speakers make since we use the same word whether the context is we like them as a person or we are attracted to them in a romantic way.

Example:

I like your mom. Me gusta tu madre. (meh goos-tah too mah-dreh.)

The problem with using "gustar" in reference to people is that it has sexual or romantic connotations. Ooops! You are actually saying that you are attracted to this person's mom.

The only time "gustar" does not have sexual or romantic connotations when referring to people is if they are public figures or people you don't know personally.

If you want to say you like someone simply as a person or as a friend you would use a form of the word "caer" instead of "gustar." "Caer" has no sexual or romantic connotations.

I like your mom. Me cae bien tu madre. (meh kah-eh bee-ehn too mah-dreh.)

The literal translation of "caer" is "to fall" but when referring to people it refers to what you think of them as a person.

Notice in the example above "caer" is followed by "bien." That is because you need to clarify what you think of her. "Caer" by itself is like stating that you have an impression or opinion of her without clarifying if it's good or bad.

You need to use an adjective to clear this up and get across your opinion of her. "Bien" means "good" in this case. If you don't like this person's mom you would replace "bien" with "mal" which means "bad."

I don't like your mom. Me cae mal tu madre. (meh kah-eh mahl too mah-dreh.)

Keep in mind that "caer" is expressing an opinion only when referring to people. It's not used in this manner for things or activities. Only "gustar" is used in those cases.

This will clear up a lot of misunderstandings if you are learning Spanish and want to make sure you get the correct context across when you are speaking with native Spanish speakers.

Now you can confidently express if you are attracted to someone in a romantic way or simply want to get the point across that you like someone as a person.

EasyPublish™ this article - publishers click here

More articles by Jason Vachon

Free Report!
Ten Essential Secrets Of Article Marketing ... Grab Your Free
Copy Now:

Need Content?
Regular Top Quality Content for your Blog, Ezine or Website ...
Delivered Direct,
For Free!
Click For Details