Expressing Likes/Dislikes: GOSTAR DE

In English, you say "I like pizza." The verb connects directly to the object. Portuguese works a bit differently. It uses a preposition as a bridge. That bridge is always the word de. You can think of it like "I am fond of pizza." Every time you use gostar, you must use de. This applies to objects, people, and even activities. The verb itself changes based on who is talking. This is called conjugation. However, the de stays remarkably loyal. It is always there, right after the verb. Sometimes, de likes to merge with other words. It can hug an article like o or a. This creates contractions like do or da. It sounds like a lot, but it becomes a habit quickly. It is just like adding salt to a meal. It feels wrong without it!

1. 1Building a sentence with gostar follows a clear path. Follow these steps to get it right every time:
2. 2Pick your subject. This is the person doing the liking.
3. 3Conjugate the verb gostar. Match it to your subject (e.g., Eu gosto, Ela gosta).
4. 4Add the preposition de. This is the mandatory glue.
5. 5Check if a contraction is needed. If you like a specific thing, use do or da.
6. 6Add the thing you like. This can be a noun or another verb.
7. 7If you use another verb, keep it in the infinitive. For example, Eu gosto de cantar. You don't need to change the second verb. It stays in its basic form. This makes it very easy to talk about hobbies. For specific objects, remember the contractions. De + o becomes do. De + a becomes da. It is like a quick math equation for your mouth!

Use this pattern whenever you express a preference. It works for food in a restaurant. "I like the fish" becomes Eu gosto do peixe. It works for hobbies during a job interview. "I like to solve problems" becomes Eu gosto de resolver problemas. Use it for people you enjoy spending time with. "I like my teacher" becomes Eu gosto da minha professora. It is also great for travel and places. You can say you like a city or a beach. It is a very positive and friendly verb. Use it to build bridges with native speakers. Everyone loves talking about things they enjoy! It is the perfect icebreaker for any social situation. Even at a formal party, gostar is your best ally.

Don't use gostar for very intense love. If you are head over heels, use amar. It is much stronger and more passionate. Also, don't use it for temporary enjoyment. If you are "digging" a song right now, use curtir. It is more informal and trendy. For choosing between two things, use preferir. It is better for making a specific choice. Gostar is for general likes and stable preferences. Also, never use it without the de. In English, we omit prepositions often. In Portuguese, this is a major red flag. It sounds incomplete to a native ear. Imagine a car without wheels. It just won't go anywhere! Keep the de and you are safe.

The biggest mistake is skipping the de. Many English speakers say Eu gosto café. This is wrong! It must be Eu gosto de café. Another slip-up is the contraction. People often say de o instead of do. While understandable, it sounds a bit robotic. Native speakers always contract these words. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes when typing fast! Another mistake is conjugating the second verb. Never say Eu gosto de canto. Always keep it as Eu gosto de cantar. Think of it like a train. The first car (gostar) provides the power. The rest of the cars just follow along. Finally, don't mix it up with the Spanish "me gusta." The structure is totally different. Stick to the Portuguese way and you'll be fine.

Let’s compare gostar with amar and adorar. Gostar is the foundation. It is for things you like. Adorar is one step higher. Use it when you really enjoy something. It is like saying "I adore" or "I love" for things. Amar is the peak. It is usually reserved for family, partners, or deep passions. There is also preferir. This verb does not use de. It uses the preposition a. For example, Eu prefiro café a chá. This can be confusing for beginners. Just remember: gostar and de are married. They are a package deal. Other verbs have their own rules. Focus on mastering this pair first. It is the most common one you will use.