Me gusta vs me gustaría
What you enjoy. What you would enjoy doing.
The short answer
Me gusta says that you like something or enjoy an activity. Me gustaría says that you would like something or would like to do it. Compare Me gusta viajar, “I like travelling”, and Me gustaría viajar, “I would like to travel”. The action can stay the same while your message changes.
me gusta
A stated liking
Describe a taste or an activity you enjoy.
Me gusta cocinar.
I like cooking.
me gustaría
A wish or preference
Describe something you would like.
Me gustaría cocinar.
I would like to cook.
Compare the same activity in two situations
If a friend asks about your hobbies, me gusta can describe what you enjoy. If the conversation turns to a possible plan, me gustaría can express your wish. The second phrase does not itself confirm that a plan has been arranged.
Me gusta visitar museos.
I like visiting museums.
This describes an interest.
Me gustaría visitar el museo mañana.
I would like to visit the museum tomorrow.
This expresses a wish about a possible activity.
Plural agreement remains important in both
With a plural noun, the forms normally become me gustan and me gustarían. With a single infinitive activity, use me gusta or me gustaría. The person experiencing the liking is still expressed by me in all these examples.
Me gustan las vacaciones largas.
I like long holidays.
The plural noun vacaciones takes gustan.
Me gustarían unas vacaciones más largas.
I would like a longer holiday.
The wish uses gustarían because vacaciones is plural.
Try it yourself
Choose the word or verb form that fits the situation. Say the complete sentence before checking your answer.
State that cooking is something you enjoy, using gusta or gustaría.
Me ___ cocinar.
Check answer 1
Me gusta cocinar.
Gusta states the liking rather than presenting a wish.
Express a wish to visit tomorrow, using gusta or gustaría.
Me ___ visitar el museo mañana.
Check answer 2
Me gustaría visitar el museo mañana.
Gustaría expresses what you would like to do.
State that you like long holidays, using the present of gustar.
Me ___ las vacaciones largas.
Check answer 3
Me gustan las vacaciones largas.
Vacaciones is plural, so the present form is gustan.
Make it your own
Choose an activity you enjoy. Say it with me gusta, then use me gustaría to express a wish involving the same activity. Explain the difference in your own words.
Grammar references
For further detail, see these Spanish-language dictionary and usage entries. Examples and practice questions above are written for this guide.