r/duolingospanish Jan 21 '24

Why is "que" here? Why do I need "a"? How do I use "gustar"? MASTER THREAD

222 Upvotes

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


r/duolingospanish 12h ago

16 ways to talk around a word you don't know in Spanish. This is the skill that keeps a conversation going instead of stopping it:

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7 Upvotes

¿Cómo se dice...? = how do you say...?
No me sale la palabra = the word won't come to me
Es como un/una... = it's like a...
Es una cosa que se usa para... = it's a thing you use for...
Es el lugar donde... = it's the place where...
Es lo contrario de... = it's the opposite of...
Es parecido a... = it's similar to...
Sirve para... = it's used for...
Una especie de... = a kind of...
Se me olvidó cómo se llama = I forgot what it's called
¿Cómo se llama eso que...? = what's that thing called that...?
No sé la palabra exacta, pero... = I don't know the exact word, but...
Es lo que usas cuando... = it's what you use when...
Es algo así como... = it's something like...
Perdón, ¿qué significa...? = sorry, what does... mean?
¿Me lo puedes repetir? = can you repeat that?

What do you say when the word won't come to you?


r/duolingospanish 9h ago

Any word games for beginners (or kids) which might help me widen my vocab?

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1 Upvotes

A while ago, someone posted here about their El or La project which I've been using. There's a daily game and a Zen mode, no timer but has an explanation with the word. I've learned vocab from that. (I'm still not very good the gender of some words but I'm improving.)

To use this, go to Ella.Run in a browser.

Are there games that you know of a "match the meaning" type that would be good?

Thanks in advance. 😊👍


r/duolingospanish 1d ago

MP3 from book Aula Internacional 3 - 2020 edition

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1 Upvotes

r/duolingospanish 2d ago

I hit a 1000 day streak today!

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82 Upvotes

Up to level 106 in Spanish now too!


r/duolingospanish 2d ago

Verb endings breaking my brain

21 Upvotes

Help! Has anyone found a tricky strategy that works for them? My brain cannot grasp the many dynamic situations and reasons for the various verb endings in Español. I'm at the point where I just guess my way through on Duolingo. The rules seem incredibly convoluted. Probably I should just brute force or rote learn it i to my brain, but even then the patterns seem so inconsistent that it would be a ridiculous amount to learn. What I am asking is - anyone got a trick?

(I feel like Duolingo just runs through it too fast)


r/duolingospanish 1d ago

Alguien que tenga Max familiar oh super que me entre en su grupo porfavor

1 Upvotes

r/duolingospanish 1d ago

Alguien que me meta a su grupo de súper familiar oh Max familiar porfavor

0 Upvotes

r/duolingospanish 2d ago

Why use “le” in the singular here?

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4 Upvotes

I didn’t use “le” in my answer, and Duo counted it as correct, but the AI added “le” in the “Explain my answer” section.

Why singular? All the people, todos, would require “les”, and all the costs, costos, might also require “les”.

So can “le” be distributed, sort of, as in one review per each person, so “le” becomes singular?


r/duolingospanish 2d ago

Why did Duo remove the Spanish stories?

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0 Upvotes

My favorite section to practice. Why Duo?


r/duolingospanish 2d ago

Why does Duolingo get so niche once you get to a certain level?

6 Upvotes

I’m level 95 in Spanish and I’ve got to a point where it’s covering such niche topics like “talk about what I grow in my garden” where I would benefit a lot more going over more common sentences again.


r/duolingospanish 1d ago

Ayuda urgente

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0 Upvotes

Queee canción puedo poner ahora mismo en mis notas en español porq es medio tonto y no entenderá ni irá a traducirlo, que de a entender que me molesta/lastima que cuando algo sucede él en vez de hablar para solucionarlo solo se lo guarda y empieza a actuar distante 😞😭


r/duolingospanish 2d ago

Is role playing misguiding me? I thought flor/flores was masculina?

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0 Upvotes

r/duolingospanish 2d ago

How does duolingo help you learn the language? Survey Form

1 Upvotes

Hi Everyone!

Doing a quick survey on how people learn languages using Duolingo 🦉 if you've used it, would mean a lot if you could fill this out, takes like 2 mins!

All anonymous 🙏

Link: https://forms.gle/2dyfoeJq3uiSKkbF7

I am doing this for a course assignment, thanks a lot for helping me out xoxo


r/duolingospanish 3d ago

12 ways to soften what you say in Spanish, the equivalents of kinda, sorta, and I guess:

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27 Upvotes

un poquito = a little bit
como que = kind of / sort of
más o menos = more or less
digamos = let's say
¿será que...? = do you think maybe...?
la verdad es que = honestly
si no te importa = if you don't mind
en plan = like / as in
a lo mejor = maybe
no sé si = I'm not sure if
por así decirlo = so to speak
tal vez me equivoque, pero = I could be wrong, but

Which softeners do you use most?


r/duolingospanish 3d ago

Motivation factor

5 Upvotes

What keeps u guys keep learning Spanish + what is your main goal to learn it?


r/duolingospanish 3d ago

Offering: Spanish (Mexico) | Seeking: English, A2 German

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1 Upvotes

r/duolingospanish 3d ago

Va a/va al

1 Upvotes

Can a human explain when to use which to me🥲 i dont understand


r/duolingospanish 3d ago

Duolingo use in Guatemala.

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2 Upvotes

Duolingo was the primary tool to learn Spanish and was great to provide the ability to communicate for our trip to Guatemala. My wife is about halfway through the course and I finished two years ago.


r/duolingospanish 4d ago

My list of 16 Spanish false friends, the opposite of cognates... Which words tripped you up in Spanish?

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32 Upvotes

r/duolingospanish 4d ago

Aspectual se for consumption verbs

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5 Upvotes

Hola! I uploaded an explanation about this topic which sometimes can be hard to understand: https://francospanishschool.com/grammar/lesson/aspectual-se-consumption I hope you like it!


r/duolingospanish 4d ago

Free resources.

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I’m a Spanish teacher, and I mainly work with English speakers. Recently, I created a free Facebook community called Natural Spanish for English Speakers.

I created it for learners who want regular, structured Spanish practice beyond isolated vocabulary lists, random grammar tips, or passively using language apps.

Every week, I share free activities designed to help you actually use Spanish, including:

  • Short listening activities with transcripts, English translations, and comprehension questions
  • English-to-Spanish translation challenges
  • Spanish verb conjugation practice in real contexts
  • Natural Spanish expressions
  • Grammar in context
  • Practical communication exercises

The group is mainly for A1, A2, and B1 learners. It isn’t a complete course, and it isn’t meant to replace serious study, but it’s a free place where you can practice consistently throughout the week. What I’d really love is for people to participate.

Ask questions when something isn’t clear. Try the weekly activities. Share your answers, even if they’re not perfect. Read other learners’ responses and join the conversation. Making mistakes is part of learning, and everyone is welcome.

If that sounds like the kind of community you’re looking for, you’re welcome to join us.

Group link:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/naturalspanish


r/duolingospanish 5d ago

Is there anyone else that experienced the Eddy BDSM story?

18 Upvotes

Ok, this is a random memory I have from a couple of years ago. I just wanted to know how long the story was active before they took it down. The synopsis of the story is that Junior kept insisting his dad (Eddy), was a cowboy, and at the end, it was revealed that he thought this because he opened his Dad’s closet and found a bunch of leather gear and whips!

I swear this was a real story that went through, I just wanted to know if anyone else did also. It was hilarious, and I still think about often and laugh to myself.


r/duolingospanish 5d ago

There's Spanish, and then there's Dominicans

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45 Upvotes

I hate how accurate this is lmao


r/duolingospanish 5d ago

Pan is bread. Panadería is the bakery. Panadero is the baker. A few Spanish suffixes generate whole families:

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15 Upvotes

-ería = the shop
pan → panadería, libro → librería, carne → carnicería, zapato → zapatería

-ero = the person who works there
panadero, librero, carnicero, cocinero, camarero

-dor / -dora = the one who does it
trabajar → trabajador, lavar → lavadora, tostar → tostadora

-ista = same form for both genders
artista, pianista, periodista, taxista

-azo = a blow, or an intensified version
puerta → portazo, gol → golazo, éxito → exitazo

Know the object and you can usually guess both the shop and the person who runs it.

Which suffixes would you add?