25+ Ways To Say "Like" In Spanish: The Ultimate Guide To Mastering *Gustar* And Modern Slang

Learning how to say "like" in Spanish is the single biggest hurdle for most new learners, and it's not because of one word, but an entire grammatical concept that flips the English structure on its head. As of December 2025, Spanish fluency demands moving far beyond the textbook phrase *Me gusta*, especially if you want to sound natural when talking about everything from your favorite Netflix show to a new friend or even a romantic interest.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the complex "verb like *gustar*" construction, provides the crucial distinction between platonic and romantic liking, and arms you with the modern, regional slang used in Spain and Latin America. Mastering these nuances is the key to unlocking authentic conversation and achieving true topical authority in your Spanish speaking.

The Core of Liking: Mastering the Verb *Gustar*

The verb *gustar* is the foundation of expressing "to like," but its literal translation is closer to "to be pleasing to." This is why its grammar feels backwards compared to English. The thing or person you like is the subject of the sentence, and you, the person doing the liking, are the indirect object.

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The Essential *Gustar* Structure: The "Backwards" Verb

Unlike regular verbs, *gustar* is almost exclusively used in the third-person singular (*gusta*) or third-person plural (*gustan*). The person who likes something is indicated by an Indirect Object Pronoun (IOP) placed before the verb.

• Me gusta: I like (singular thing or action).
• Te gusta: You like (singular thing or action).
• Le gusta: He/She/You (formal) like (singular thing or action).
• Nos gusta: We like (singular thing or action).
• Os gusta: You all (Spain, singular thing or action).
• Les gusta: They/You all (Latin America, singular thing or action).

When the thing you like is plural, the verb changes to *gustan* (third-person plural):

• *Me gusta el café.* (I like coffee.)
• *Me gustan los libros.* (I like books.)

Emphasis and Clarification: Using the Prepositional Phrase

Since *le* and *les* are ambiguous (they can mean he, she, you formal, or they), you often need to clarify who is doing the liking by adding a prepositional phrase using the word *a* (to). This phrase can also be used for emphasis on any pronoun. [cite: 5 (from S1)]

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• *A mí me gusta.* (I, personally, like it.)
• *A ella le gusta la película.* (She likes the movie.)
• *A Juan le gustan los deportes.* (Juan likes sports.)

Beyond *Me Gusta*: 15+ Verbs and Phrases to Express Approval

Relying only on *gustar* will make your Spanish sound repetitive and basic. Native speakers use a wide spectrum of verbs to express varying degrees of liking, from mild enjoyment to passionate love. These are often referred to as "verbs like *gustar*" because they follow the exact same grammatical structure. [cite: 1 (from S1), 5 (from S1)]

Expressing Intense Liking and Love

To convey a stronger feeling than a simple "like," use these intensifiers:

• Encantar (To love/To be delighted by): This is the most common way to say you "love" an object or activity.
  • *Me encanta el chocolate.* (I love chocolate.)
• Fascinar (To fascinate): Used for things that truly captivate you.
  • *Nos fascina la arquitectura antigua.* (Ancient architecture fascinates us.)
• Apasionar (To be passionate about): Used for intense hobbies or interests.
  • *Les apasiona el fútbol.* (They are passionate about football.)
• Chiflar (To be crazy about/To be mad about - Spain): A strong, informal expression of liking.
  • *Me chifla ese cantante.* (I'm crazy about that singer.)

The Crucial Difference: Liking People (Platonic vs. Romantic)

This is where context and verb choice are paramount. Using the wrong verb can lead to an awkward misunderstanding!

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1. Platonic Liking (To get along with someone)

Use the phrase *Caer Bien* (literally, "to fall well"). This is used for friends, colleagues, or anyone you like as a person, but not romantically. It also follows the *gustar* structure.

• *Me caes bien.* (I like you/I get along with you - Platonically.)
• *Nos cae bien tu nuevo jefe.* (We like your new boss.)

2. Romantic Liking (To be attracted to someone)

Use the verb *Gustar*. When used with a person as the object, it almost always implies romantic or sexual attraction.

• *Me gustas.* (I like you - Romantically.)
• *Le gusta mi amiga.* (He likes my friend.)

3. Loving a Person (Romantic or Familial)

For deep, lasting love—whether romantic, familial, or deep friendship—you must use the verb *Querer* (to want/to love) or *Amar* (to love, often more intense/poetic).

• *Te quiero.* (I love you - Common for friends, family, and romantic partners.)
• *Te amo.* (I love you - Typically reserved for romantic partners or very deep love.)

Liking an Activity or Feeling Like Doing Something

When you like an action, the infinitive form of the verb is used, and *gustar* remains in the singular form (*gusta*). [cite: 4 (from S1)]

• *Me gusta viajar.* (I like to travel.)
• *Les gusta bailar.* (They like to dance.)

To express that you "feel like" doing something or "crave" something, use *Apetecer* (to feel like/to crave). It also follows the *gustar* structure. [cite: 19 (from S1)]

• *Me apetece una pizza.* (I feel like a pizza.)
• *¿Te apetece ir al cine?* (Do you feel like going to the cinema?)

Modern Slang: How to Say "Cool" or Use "Like" as a Filler Word

To truly sound like a native in December 2025, you need to incorporate modern expressions of approval and understand the use of filler words that mimic the English "like."

Slang for "Cool" or "Great" (Expressing Approval)

These adjectives are used to describe something as "cool," "great," or "awesome," and they vary significantly by region. Using them instantly boosts your conversational fluency.

• Guay (Spain): The most common and versatile word for "cool" or "great" in Spain.
  • *¡Esa camisa es muy guay!* (That shirt is very cool!)
• Chévere (Caribbean, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador): Widely used across many Latin American countries to mean "cool" or "excellent."
  • *Todo estuvo chévere en la fiesta.* (Everything was cool at the party.)
• Padre (Mexico): A very common and positive expression in Mexico.
  • *¡Qué padre!* (How cool/great!)
• Bacán (Chile, Peru): Another regional favorite for "cool."
• Genial (Universal): Means "brilliant" or "great" and is understood everywhere.
  • *La idea es genial.* (The idea is brilliant.)
• Molar (Spain, informal verb): A verb that literally means "to be cool" or "to like." It’s an alternative to *gustar* for things that are cool.
  • *Esa canción me mola mucho.* (I really like that song/That song is really cool to me.)
• Flipante (Spain, informal adjective): Means "mind-blowing" or "awesome."

The Filler Word "Like"

Just like in English, Spanish speakers—especially younger ones—use filler words that function similarly to the English "like" to pause or introduce a thought. [cite: 6 (from S1), 14 (from S1)]

• Como: The most common filler word, literally meaning "as" or "like."
  • *Y yo estaba, como, no sé qué hacer.* (And I was, like, I don't know what to do.)
• Tipo: Used similarly to *como*, particularly common in some regions like Argentina.
  • *Me dijo, tipo, que no podía venir.* (He told me, like, that he couldn't come.)

Summary of Key Entities for Topical Authority

To ensure your Spanish is rich and authoritative, integrate these essential entities into your vocabulary:

Verbs and Phrases: *Gustar*, *Encantar*, *Fascinar*, *Agradar*, *Apetecer*, *Caer bien*, *Querer*, *Amar*, *Molar*, *Chiflar*, *Tener ganas de*.

Key Forms: *Me gusta*, *Me gustan*, *Te gusta*, *Le gusta*, *Nos gusta*, *Os gusta*, *Les gusta*, *Me caes bien*, *Te quiero*, *Te amo*.

Slang and Filler: *Guay*, *Chévere*, *Padre*, *Bacán*, *Genial*, *Flipante*, *Como*, *Tipo*, *A mí*, *A ti*.

The verb *gustar* is a gateway to a massive and expressive part of the Spanish language. By understanding its unique structure, differentiating between *gustar* and *caer bien* for people, and peppering your speech with modern slang like *chévere* or *guay*, you will move from a mere student to a truly confident and natural Spanish speaker.