Expressing Likes & Dislikes

Talking about your preferences and things you enjoy or don't enjoy.

Local
¿Te gusta el café colombiano?
teh GOOS-tah ehl kah-FEH koh-lohm-bee-AH-noh
Do you like Colombian coffee?
"Gustar" works backwards from English — literally "does the coffee please you?"
You
¡Me encanta! Es el mejor café que he probado.
meh ehn-KAHN-tah! ehs ehl meh-HOR kah-FEH keh eh proh-BAH-doh
I love it! It's the best coffee I've ever tried.
"Me encanta" is stronger than "me gusta" — use it when you really love something.
Local
¿Y qué tal la música salsa? ¿Te gusta bailar?
ee keh tahl lah MOO-see-kah SAHL-sah? teh GOOS-tah by-LAR
And what about salsa music? Do you like to dance?
You
Me gusta la música, pero no me gusta mucho bailar. Bailo muy mal.
meh GOOS-tah lah MOO-see-kah, PEH-roh noh meh GOOS-tah MOO-choh by-LAR. BY-loh MOO-ee mahl
I like the music, but I don't really like dancing. I dance very badly.
Add "no" before "me gusta" to express dislike. Self-deprecating humor about dancing is always a good icebreaker.
Local
¡No importa! Aquí todos bailan. Te va a gustar.
noh eem-POR-tah! ah-KEE TOH-dohs BY-lahn. teh vah ah goos-TAR
It doesn't matter! Here everyone dances. You're going to like it.