Verb GOSTAR (to like)

The grammar of gostar revolves entirely around the "verb + preposition" combo. Unlike some other languages that change the whole sentence structure (we are looking at you, Spanish!), Portuguese keeps it straightforward. You are the subject, you perform the action of liking, and the thing you like follows. The only hurdle is the little word de. This preposition often merges with whatever comes after it. If you like "the" coffee, and coffee is masculine (o café), the de and o join forces to become do. If you like "the" beach (a praia), they become da. This is called a contraction. It sounds fancy, but it is just a way to make the language flow faster. If you are using a verb instead of a noun, like "I like to dance," the de stays exactly as it is: Gosto de dançar. There is no need to change the second verb; just keep it in its original "dictionary" form (the infinitive). It is like a grammar traffic light—the de gives you the green light to connect your feelings to the world.

1. 1To build a perfect sentence with gostar, just follow these five simple steps:
2. 2Identify who is doing the liking. Is it Eu (I), Você (You), or Nós (We)?
3. 3Conjugate the verb gostar to match that person. For example, Eu gosto or Nós gostamos.
4. 4Drop in the mandatory preposition de immediately after the verb.
5. 5Check if you need an article (like "the"). If you do, merge it with de (e.g., do, da, dos, das).
6. 6Add the noun or the infinitive verb at the end.
7. 7Let's look at the present tense conjugations:
8. 8Eu gosto (I like)
9. 9Tu gostas (You like - informal, mainly Portugal)
10. 10Ele/Ela/Você gosta (He/She/You like)
11. 11Nós gostamos (We like)
12. 12Eles/Elas/Vocês gostam (They/You all like)
13. 13If you want to say you like something a lot, just add muito right after the conjugated verb: Eu gosto muito de viajar. It is that easy! Just remember: even native speakers mess this up when they are in a hurry, so don't sweat the small stuff too much.

You should use gostar in almost every scenario where you want to express a positive preference. It is perfectly suited for daily life. Use it when you are ordering food at a restaurant: Eu gosto de comida picante (I like spicy food). Use it when you are meeting new people at a party: Eu gosto de música brasileira (I like Brazilian music). It is also the correct verb for talking about hobbies and routines. If you enjoy running in the park every morning, gostar is your go-to. Interestingly, you can also use it for people. In many contexts, Gosto de você means "I like you" in a friendly or slightly more than friendly way. It is less intense than amar (to love), making it safe for new friendships and early dates. Think of it as your all-purpose tool for building rapport and sharing your personality with the world.

While gostar is versatile, it isn't a magic wand for every situation. Do not use it when you want to express a specific desire or a "want" in the moment. For example, if you are in a shop and want to buy a shirt, don't say Eu gosto desta camisa. That just means you appreciate its style. Instead, use Eu quero (I want). Also, avoid using it for deep, soul-consuming romantic love unless you are just starting out. For your spouse or your family, amar is much more appropriate. Another trap is using it for physical sensations of pleasure that aren't exactly "liking" an object. If you are enjoying a specific moment, like a massage or a cool breeze, you might use aproveitar (to enjoy/make the most of). Finally, don't use gostar without the de if a noun follows. Saying Eu gosto chocolate sounds like a broken robot. The de is your grammatical lubricant—don't leave home without it!

The number one mistake for English speakers is omitting the preposition de. It is very tempting to say Eu gosto pizza because it mirrors the English structure. Resist the urge! Another common slip-up happens with the plural form. Many learners forget to add the m at the end of gostam when talking about a group of people. Eles gosta is a very common error. You should also watch out for the contraction maze. Remember that de + este (this) becomes deste. If you say Gosto de este livro, it’s technically understandable, but it marks you as a beginner immediately. Try to embrace the contractions! Also, don't confuse gosto (the verb form) with gosto (the noun meaning "taste"). While they look the same, their roles are very different. Lastly, don't try to use que after gostar to mean "that". If you want to say "I like that you are here," the structure becomes a bit more complex (Gosto de que você esteja aqui), which is a bit beyond A1, so stick to simple nouns and verbs for now!

Many learners get confused between Portuguese gostar and Spanish gustar. In Spanish, the thing you like is actually the subject of the sentence (e.g., "The pizza pleases me"). In Portuguese, it is much simpler and more similar to English. You are the subject! You are the one doing the liking. The only real difference from English is that mandatory de. If you know French, you might recognize a similar pattern with avoir envie de, but for the most part, gostar stands alone in its simplicity. Compared to the verb adorar (to adore), gostar is more casual and common. While adorar doesn't require a preposition (Eu adoro chocolate), gostar always does. This makes adorar feel a bit "easier" to use, but gostar is much more frequent in natural conversation. Mastering the de requirement will make all your other prepositional verbs much easier to learn later on.