translated as "to like", analyzable in structure as "to please" [with dative ‘someone’] (the thing being liked is the subject, while the "liker" is in the dative case ("indirect object")). See the usage notes for more. Compare similar structures in Italian piacere, Romanian plăcea, German gefallen and Russian нравиться (nravitʹsja).; to want, to please; to taste, to try (determine the flavour of something by putting it in one's mouth); to experiment, to try; to like, to enjoy
“Me gusta esta manzana.” — I like this apple.
Synonyms: agradar, parecer bien, caer bien, estar enamorado de, encularse de, querer, desear, probar
Borrowed in this form from Latin gustāre. Replaced the inherited Old Spanish form gostar. See gusto. The use of this verb to mean "like" is a uniquely Ibero-Romance development. Compare Portuguese gostar.