Think about the first time you told someone, “I like you.”
It wasn’t just about preference—it was about connection. Whether you meant “I like your smile,” or “I like spending time with you,” that little word carried warmth, vulnerability, and care.
When I began learning Spanish, I discovered something fascinating: “like” doesn’t translate word-for-word. In Spanish, you say “me gusta”, which literally means “it pleases me.”
This tiny shift reveals something profound about culture and perspective—how languages shape the way we feel and express affection.
Today, we’ll uncover how to say “like” in Spanish, explore how it’s expressed in other languages, and understand what it tells us about the human heart.
🗺️ Table of “Like” in Different Languages
| Language | Word/Phrase for “Like” | Cultural Insight |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Gustar / Me gusta | Literally means “it pleases me”; focus is on the object, not the subject. |
| English | Like | Expresses affection, preference, or approval. |
| French | Aimer / J’aime | Also means “to love”; emotional intensity depends on context. |
| Italian | Piacere / Mi piace | “It pleases me,” similar to Spanish structure. |
| German | Mögen / Ich mag | Used for liking people, things, or activities. |
| Portuguese | Gostar / Eu gosto | Close to Spanish, but more flexible in tone. |
| Turkish | Beğenmek / Sevmek | Distinguishes between “to like” and “to love.” |
| Arabic | Uhibbu / A’jabani | Can mean admiration or love depending on intensity. |
| Japanese | Suki (好き) | Means “like,” but often implies deeper affection. |
| Korean | Joahaeyo (좋아해요) | Used for liking someone or something politely. |
| Mandarin (Chinese) | Xǐhuān (喜欢) | Covers a range from liking to loving. |
| Hindi | Pasand karna (पसंद करना) | Common way to say “I like,” with emotional nuance. |
| Swahili | Kupenda / Ninapenda | Means both “like” and “love” — affection is communal. |
| Russian | Nravitsya (Нравится) | Literally “it is pleasing to me,” similar to Spanish. |
| Greek | Mou aresi (Μου αρέσει) | Means “it pleases me”; same structure as gustar. |
🇪🇸 How Do You Say “Like” in Spanish?
In Spanish, “like” = “gustar.”
To say “I like,” you don’t say “yo gusto”—you say “me gusta.”
That’s because, in Spanish, the structure literally means “it pleases me.”
✅ Examples:
- I like coffee → Me gusta el café.
- I like you → Me gustas.
- I like movies → Me gustan las películas.
Cultural Insight:
Spanish culture values expression through feeling and connection. When you say “me gusta,” you’re not asserting ownership or choice—you’re expressing that something brings you pleasure or joy. It’s less about control and more about emotional harmony.
🇪🇺 How to Say “Like” in European Languages
Europe’s romance languages share emotional depth when expressing “like.”
- French — J’aime: Can mean “I like” or “I love,” depending on tone and context.
- Italian — Mi piace: Literally “it pleases me,” like gustar.
- Portuguese — Eu gosto: Expresses preference and affection, used broadly.
- German — Ich mag: Direct but heartfelt; often used in friendships or relationships.
- Greek — Mou aresi: Similar to Spanish me gusta, highlighting shared Mediterranean expressiveness.
European expressions of “like” reveal warmth balanced with tradition—a linguistic dance between heart and mind.
🌏 How to Say “Like” in Asian Languages
In Asia, expressions of “like” often reflect respect, subtlety, and emotional restraint rather than direct expression.
- Japanese — Suki desu (好きです): A tender way to say “I like you,” often carrying romantic undertones.
- Korean — Joahaeyo (좋아해요): Used politely; “saranghae” (I love you) is reserved for deeper emotion.
- Mandarin — Xǐhuān (喜欢): Covers liking things, people, or activities.
- Hindi — Mujhe pasand hai (मुझे पसंद है): Literally “it is liked by me,” same passive structure as Spanish.
- Arabic — A’jabani / Uhibbu: “A’jabani” expresses admiration; “uhibbu” expresses love.
- Tagalog — Gusto ko: A simple, affectionate phrase meaning “I like.”
- Turkish — Beğenmek: Used for liking people or things with appreciation.
Asian languages show that liking isn’t always direct—it’s poetic, humble, and deeply emotional.
🌍 How to Say “Like” in African Languages
African cultures often merge like and love into a single powerful concept—emphasizing connection over distinction.
- Swahili — Ninapenda: Means “I like” or “I love,” depending on tone.
- Zulu — Ngiyakuthanda: Literally “I love you,” often used affectionately.
- Yoruba — Mo feran: “I like” or “I love” interchangeably.
- Amharic — Ewedehalehu: Means “I love you” but can show fondness too.
- Hausa — Ina sonka: Expresses deep affection, not just preference.
- Shona — Ndinokuda: Similar dual meaning—love and like intertwined.
- Lingala — Nalingi yo: A declaration of both liking and loving.
In many African languages, to like someone means to value them deeply. It’s an emotion embedded in community and respect.
🌺 How to Say “Like” in Indigenous & Island Languages
Indigenous and island languages often tie affection to nature and spirit.
- Hawaiian — Aloha: Beyond “love,” it also conveys liking, peace, and unity.
- Maori — Aroha: Represents love, compassion, and appreciation.
- Samoan — Alofa: Means both “to like” and “to love,” expressing care.
- Cherokee — Gvgeyuhi: A feeling of liking or affection for others.
- Tahitian — Here: Signifies affection and kindness.
- Fijian — Loloma: Means love, kindness, or deep liking.
- Guaraní — Rohayhu: Expresses affection toward others.
- Inuit — Nagligivagit: Used for both “I like you” and “I love you.”
These languages remind us that affection is holistic—woven into land, people, and spirit alike.
💡 Cultural Insight: The Philosophy Behind “Liking”
The Spanish gustar tells us something unique: affection is a feeling received, not possessed.
Unlike English, which says “I like coffee” (I → action → coffee), Spanish reverses it: “coffee pleases me.”
It’s a reminder that love, admiration, and appreciation flow both ways. Across the world, languages reflect how people view emotion—some as ownership, others as shared experience.
🌸 Proverbs & Sayings About Affection
- Spanish: “El amor entra por los ojos.” — Love (and liking) enters through the eyes.
- French: “Aimer, c’est agir.” — To love is to act.
- Japanese: “Suki ni natta mono wa, meguriau.” — Those we like, we are destined to meet.
- Turkish: “Sevgi bir dildir, herkes anlar.” — Love is a language everyone understands.
- Swahili: “Upendo hauna mipaka.” — Love knows no boundaries.
Every culture teaches that affection starts small—with something as simple as “I like.”
❓ FAQs
Q1: How do you say “like” in Spanish?
You use the verb gustar. Example: Me gusta el chocolate = “I like chocolate.”
Q2: Why does Spanish use “me gusta” instead of “yo gusto”?
Because gustar means “to please.” So, instead of saying “I like it,” you say “it pleases me.”
Q3: What’s the difference between “me gusta” and “me encantaría”?
Me gusta = I like; me encanta = I love (stronger feeling).
Q4: How do you say “I like you” in Spanish?
Me gustas. (Used in both romantic and friendly contexts.)
Q5: Is “gustar” used only for people?
No — it’s used for things, activities, and experiences too (e.g., Me gusta viajar = “I like to travel”).
❤️ Conclusion: The Universal Beauty of “Liking”
From me gusta to suki desu, from ninapenda to piacere, every language expresses liking differently—but the emotion is universal.
Learning how to say like in Spanish isn’t just about grammar—it’s about understanding how people feel and connect around the world.
So next time you say “me gusta,” remember: you’re sharing appreciation, joy, and humanity—all in two little words.
💬 Now it’s your turn!
What’s your favorite way to say “I like you” or “I like it” in your language? Share it in the comments below and let’s celebrate global affection! ❤️🌍
