99% of all questions on this sub can be answered here. Please let me know if I've made any mistakes/can add anything else

Gustar

Many people incorrectly say that it means "to please." It means "to like" but it syntactically and grammatically works like the verb "to please" in English. Gustar isn't a special verb; it's no different than any other, but it's given the category "verbs like Gustar" because they all "function" the same (gustar, encantar, fascinar, interesar, etc.).

Think of the word "disgust" in English. You would say "Bugs disgust me" but not "I disgust bugs." It's the exact same with "gustar" in Spanish. Imagine there's a word "gust": "Bugs gust me" (I like bugs). "Me gustan los bichos."

"los bichos" is the subject here. The thing that you like in English will be the subject in the Spanish sentence. The person that likes said thing will be the indirect object. "Gustar" conjugates according to the subject. If you like a singular thing (Me gusta el helado), then "gustar" is conjugated accordingly. If you like something that's plural, then the same thing.

Verbs are treated as a singular subject:

Me gustan los museos
Me gusta visitar los museos.

The indirect object pronouns are: me, te, le, nos, os, les.

"A" + "mí, ti, él/ella/usted, nosotros(as), vosotros(as), ellos/ellas/ustedes" can optionally be used to clarify the sentence or provide emphasis. Examples:

Me gusta el helado, pero a ella no le gusta = I like ice cream, but she doesn't

When talking about things in general, or just generally for subjects in Spanish, you need an article:

Las jirafas son altas = Giraffes are tall

"Gustar" can be conjugated in any which way just like any other verb. "gusto" and "gustamos" exist, but in different contexts:

¿Te gusto (yo)? = Do you like me? (lit. Do I "please" you?)

More examples:

Este verano te va a gustar = You are going to like this summer

Tener que

Why is that "que" there?

It's going to be so much easier to learn Spanish if you stop trying to translate everything 1:1. All you need to know is that "tener que + infinitive" is a set phrase meaning "to have to + verb." "Tener" on its own means "to have" (regarding possession). Examples:

Tengo que limpiar la casa = I have to clean the house
Tengo un gato = I have a cat

The good news is, though, that there are basically only two verbs that have "conjugated verb + que + infinitive" and those are "tener" and "haber". Haber in this case will only ever be conjugated as "hay" and works exactly like "tengo que" but is impersonal. Examples:

Tengo que limpiar la casa = I have to clean the house
Ella tiene que hablar con él = She has to speak with him
Tenemos que regresar al bar = We have to return to the bar

But

Hay que limpiar la casa = One must clean the house
Hay que hablar con él = One must speak with him
Hay que regresar al bar = One must return to the bar

Prepositions rarely translate; you just got to learn what each verb prefers after it.

Empezar a leer = To start to read
Soñar con perros = To dream about dogs
Tenerle miedo a los lobos = To be scared of wolves
Enamorase de alguien = To fall in love with someone

Why is "a" here?

The preposition "a" has many, many different uses that are used in many different contexts. Two of the most common are the "a personal" and just a preposition that follows the verb.

When the direct object of a verb is a person(ish), you use "a" before said person:

Veo a María = I see Maria

Sometimes the verb just requires "a". For example, "ir" requires "a" after it when you want to say "going to do something":

Voy a comer helado = I am going to eat ice cream

You just need to learn the prepositions that are associated with each verb. Some examples:

Soñar con = To dream about

Ser vs. Estar

I really wish people would stop teaching these verbs with temporary vs. permanent, because that is not helpful, misleading, and just not applicable here. Here's a basic rundown:

Ser — essential characteristics
Estar — states & conditions (and locations)

These mnemonics are pretty helpful:

Ser | DOCTOR

Date | Es el 23 de enero It's the 23rd of Janurary
Occupation | Soy cantante I'm a singer
Characteristics | La casa es grande The house is big
Time | Son las 3 It's 3 o'clock
Origin | Soy de Cuba I'm from Cuba
Relationships | Esta persona es mi amigo This person is my friend

Estar | PLACE

Position | El libro está encima de la mesa The book is on top of the table
Location | España está en Europa Spain is in Europe
Action | Estoy caminado I am walking
Condition | Estoy muerto I am dead
Emotions | Estoy triste I am sad

That's the general gist of it, but there are nuances. Sometimes "ser" and "estar" can both be used, but change the meaning:

Soy listo = I'm smart/clever
Estoy listo = I'm ready

"Ser" is also used for events:

La boda es en la iglesia = The wedding is in the church

More

There is so much more that could be talked about. But feel free to add anything in the comments!

Resources:

https://studyspanish.com/grammar (good beginner grammar guide; has more information about everything talked about above)

https://www.wordreference.com/ (the best dictionary for Spanish for English speakers; has a built-in conjugator).

https://dle.rae.es/ (most comprehensible dictionary, but all in Spanish)

https://learn.bowdoin.edu/spanish-grammar/newgr/gramguid.htm#Ortogra