Help with really basic stuff

[Da Pwnzlord]

So I'm trying to learn past tense verbs on duolingo.com.

I'm given this sentence to translate:

No nos gustó el pollo.

They tell me the correct translation is "We did not like the chicken." This confuses me. Why is "gusto" used instead of "gustamos"?


I have the same problem when asked to translate



Me gustaron esas mujeres.


Why is "gustaron" used instead of "gusto"?


Please help!

[Rusty]

Your answer can be found in any of the threads that explain 'gustar'.

This verb takes an indirect object. It is not used at all like the English verb 'like', which takes a direct object.

The best way to learn how to use this verb, and others like it, is to rephrase the translation.

Instead of "We did not like the chicken," change it to "The chicken was not pleasing to us." Then the Spanish words will make more sense.

No = not
nos = to us
gustó = was pleasing (third-person singular to agree with the subject)
el pollo = the chicken (the subject can follow the verb in Spanish)


Instead of "I liked those women," rephrase it to "Those women were pleasing to me."

me = to me (indirect object pronoun)
gustaron = were pleasing (third-person plural to agree with the subject)
esas mujeres = those women (subject)

[Da Pwnzlord]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Your answer can be found in any of the threads that explain 'gustar'.

This verb takes an indirect object. It is not used at all like the English verb 'like', which takes a direct object.

The best way to learn how to use this verb, and others like it, is to rephrase the translation.

Instead of "We did not like the chicken," change it to "The chicken was not pleasing to us." Then the Spanish words will make more sense.

No = not
nos = to us
gustó = was pleasing (third-person singular to agree with the subject)
el pollo = the chicken (the subject can follow the verb in Spanish)


Instead of "I liked those women," rephrase it to "Those women were pleasing to me."

me = to me (indirect object pronoun)
gustaron = were pleasing (third-person plural to agree with the subject)
esas mujeres = those women (subject)

That was really helpful, thank you so much.

[Rusty]

You're welcome.