DELE A1 Guide: Verb Gustar – To Like and Preferences
Want to practice first? Try a General Gustar Quiz!
Key Takeaways
- Master Gustar conjugation and sentence structure
- Learn indirect object pronouns (me, te, le) with Gustar
- Understand how to express likes and dislikes
- Learn common activities and things people like
- Essential for DELE A1 personal conversations
Welcome to your complete guide to the verb Gustar, essential for talking about preferences, likes, and dislikes on the DELE A1 exam. Gustar means “to be pleasing to” and has a unique structure that’s crucial for basic communication.
What is the Verb Gustar?
Gustar is different from most Spanish verbs. It means “to be pleasing to” rather than “to like.” The thing that is liked becomes the subject of the sentence, and the person who likes it is expressed with an indirect object pronoun.
Gustar Conjugation Chart
Basic Conjugation Structure
| Indirect Object | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| me | gusta/gustan | Me gusta el café |
| te | gusta/gustan | Te gusta la música |
| le | gusta/gustan | Le gustan los libros |
| nos | gusta/gustan | Nos gusta viajar |
| os | gusta/gustan | Os gusta el fútbol |
| les | gusta/gustan | Les gusta bailar |
DELE A1 Tip: Use gusta for singular nouns and infinitives, and gustan for plural nouns. This is one of the most common mistakes on the A1 exam!
When to Use Gusta vs Gustan
Gusta (Singular/Infinitives)
- Me gusta el chocolate (I like chocolate)
- Te gusta estudiar (You like to study)
- Le gusta el coche (He likes the car)
Gustan (Plural Nouns)
- Me gustan las manzanas (I like apples)
- Te gustan los deportes (You like sports)
- Les gustan las películas (They like movies)
Common Activities with Gustar
Popular Likes for DELE A1
- la música – music
- el cine – movies
- los deportes – sports
- la comida – food
- viajar – to travel
- leer – to read
- bailar – to dance
- estudiar – to study
Example Sentences
- Me gusta la música española
- Te gustan los deportes acuáticos
- Le gusta bailar salsa
- Nos gusta viajar a la playa
Asking About Preferences
Question Forms for DELE A1
- ¿Qué te gusta hacer? (What do you like to do?)
- ¿Te gusta el fútbol? (Do you like soccer?)
- ¿Le gustan las películas? (Does he like movies?)
- ¿Qué les gusta comer? (What do they like to eat?)
Expressing Dislikes
Using “No” with Gustar
- No me gusta el café (I don’t like coffee)
- No te gustan los vegetales (You don’t like vegetables)
- No le gusta trabajar los sábados (He doesn’t like working Saturdays)
- No nos gusta el frío (We don’t like the cold)
DELE A1 Exam Practice
Speaking Section Examples
- Talk about your hobbies: “Me gusta leer y escuchar música”
- Ask about preferences: “¿Qué te gusta hacer los fines de semana?”
- Describe family likes: “A mi hermano le gustan los deportes”
- Express dislikes: “No me gusta madrugar”
Writing Section Examples
- Write about what you like to do
- Describe your family’s preferences
- List your favorite foods and activities
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t use subject pronouns incorrectly: ❌ “Yo gusto el café” ✅ “Me gusta el café”
- Remember gusta/gustan: ❌ “Me gustan viajar” ✅ “Me gusta viajar”
- Use indirect objects correctly: ❌ “Gusta el libro” ✅ “Me gusta el libro”
Practice with Our Free Spanish Tools
Master Gustar with our interactive conjugation tool:
Click here to open our Spanish Conjugation Tool!
Practice creating sentences with different objects and pronouns.
Next Step: Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to check your understanding of verb Gustar?
Take our DELE A1 Verb Gustar Quiz here to confirm you’re ready for this part of the exam.
What’s Next in Your DELE A1 Journey?
- Ready for more expressions? Study Common Spanish Phrases
- Need conversation practice? Review Question Words Guide
- Practice all A1 grammar? Take a Full A1 Grammar Test
Good luck with your DELE A1 preparation!
