Vocabulary
mahilig
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like
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gustó
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like, want
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batà
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kid
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Maynilà
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Manila
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*ibig
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like, want
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**nais
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like, want
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*Ibig is here for demonstration only. No need to memorize yet, but you will see it later performing a different function.
**For demonstration only - no need to memorize.
Grammar
This lesson will show you how to say that you like or want a noun using mahilig or gusto. How to do this with verbs will be covered in a future lesson. If you do not know it already, please go to Appendix A and memorize kita before attempting this lesson.
Mahilig
Use mahilig to say you like something *indefinite, or in general.
Mahilig + experiencer + indefinite object. (Tag.) = Experiencer likes indefinite object. (Eng.)
Notes: The experiencer is the one who likes, and takes ang form. The indefinite object is the thing that is liked, and takes sa form.
Ex: Mahilig ako sa adobo.
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= I like adobo.
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Ex: Mahilig si Luis sa pera.
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= Luis likes money.
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**Ex: Mahilig sila sa tsokolate.
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= They like chocolate.
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Gusto
Gusto means to want or to like, depending on the context.
Gusto...ng - to want something indefinite.
Gusto + experiencer + indefinite object. (Tag.) = Experiencer wants indefinite object. (Eng.)
Notes: The experiencer is the one who wants, and takes ng form. The indefinite object is the thing that is wanted and takes ng form.
Ex: Gusto ko ng adobo.
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= I want adobo.
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Ex: Gusto po ni Luis ng pera.
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= Luis wants money. (resp.)
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**Ex: Gusto nila ng tsokolate.
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= They want chocolate.
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Gusto...ang - to like or want something *definite, or specific.
Gusto + experiencer + definite object. (Tag.) = Experiencer likes/wants definite object. (Eng.)
Notes: The experiencer is the one who likes/wants, and takes ng form. The definite object takes ang form.
In theory, the gusto…ang construction can mean “like” or “want”:
**Ex: Gusto ko ang mga tsokolateng ito.
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= I like/want these chocolates.
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Ex: Gusto ni Analyn ang eskwelahan nila.
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= Analyn likes/wants their school.
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Ex: Gusto nila ang masayang bata.
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= They like/want the happy kid.
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But in the case of proper nouns and personal pronouns, it is pretty unusual to mean “want”, so the meaning normally defaults to “like”:
Ex: Gusto ko ang Maynila.
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= I like Manila (not “I want Manila”).
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Ex: Gusto kita.
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= I like you (not normally “I want you”, although it is possible).
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Ex: Gusto ni David sina Maria at Angel.
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= David likes Maria and Angel (not normally “David wants Maria and Angel”).
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*More on Definite vs Indefinite.
Previously, you learned that dps can make something definite. It turns out that possessive phrases, proper nouns and pps are definite. Definite objects can be any of those, and take ang form. Indefinite objects cannot be any of those things, and take ng form.
Ex: Gusto ko ang adobong yun.
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= I want/like that adobo. (definite)
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Ex: Gusto ko ang adobo.
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= I want/like the adobo. (definite – this can also mean indefinite “I like adobo”, but we are using mahilig to like something indefinite in this book)
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Ex: Gusto ko ang adobo mo.
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= I want/like your adobo. (definite)
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Ex: Gusto ko si Maria.
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= I like Maria. (definite)
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Ex: Gusto ko siya.
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= I like her. (definite)
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But:
Ex: Gusto ko ng adobo.
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= I want adobo. (indefinite)
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**More about mga.
It may surprise you to know that sometimes plural items do not take mga. The Definite vs Indefinite distinction comes into play again here. When you are talking about a definite group of things, you should use mga. But when you are talking about something indefinite, it should be omitted:
Ex: Gusto ni Mark ang mga sasakyang yun.
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= Mark likes those cars. Mark likes a specific, or definite, group of cars, so mga is used.
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Ex: Mahilig si Mark sa sasakyan.
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= Mark likes cars. Mark likes cars in general, or indefinitely, so mga is not used.
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Ibig and Nais
Ibig and nais are generally interchangeable with gusto in this usage, but less common. Ibig is actually used quite often in some other structures, but sounds bookish or formal when functioning as gusto does above, in colloquial conversation. Nais is even less common. Therefore, we will not use these in this way.
Sample sentences
Q1
We (incl.) like money!
Mahilig tayo sa pera!
Q2
They want cars and houses.
Gusto nila ng sasakyan at bahay.
Q3
She likes me and she has money. (meron)
Gusto niya ako at meron siyang pera.
Q4
Mother and Jessica like Manila.
Gusto nina nanay at Jessica ang Maynila.
Q5
Do you like this first date? (on the calendar)
Gusto mo ba ang unang petsang ito?
Q6
The kids like chocolate.
Mahilig ang mga bata sa tsokolate.
Q7
The kid wants money. (resp.)
Gusto po ng bata ng pera.
Q8
Yes, I like you.
Oo, gusto kita.
Q9
I like Cebu.
Gusto ko ang Cebu.
Q10
He likes his delicious drinks.
Gusto niya ang mga masasarap niyang inumin.
Drills - Lesson 12