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How to Say "to enjoy" in Spanish

English → Spanish

disfrutar

dis-fru-TARdis.fɾuˈtaɾ

verbA1general
Use 'disfrutar' when you are actively experiencing pleasure from an activity, situation, or object, often with a sense of appreciation.
A child sits happily under a tree, taking a bite out of a bright red apple with a wide smile, illustrating the concept of enjoyment.

Examples

Estoy disfrutando mucho de la comida.

I am enjoying the food a lot.

¿Estás disfrutando de tus vacaciones?

Are you enjoying your vacation?

Disfruto mucho leer libros de historia.

I really enjoy reading history books.

Ella disfruta la tranquilidad de vivir en el campo.

She enjoys the quietness of living in the countryside.

Using 'de' (Optional)

You can use 'disfrutar' either directly with the thing you enjoy ('disfrutar la música') or by adding 'de' ('disfrutar de la música'). Both ways are correct, but using 'de' is often slightly more common or formal in some regions.

Reflexive Use for 'Enjoy Yourself'

If you want to say 'enjoy yourself' (meaning 'have a good time'), you use the reflexive form: '¡Que te disfrutes!' or '¡Que lo disfrutes!' (Enjoy it!).

Mixing up 'Enjoy' and 'Like'

Mistake: “Me disfruto el chocolate. (I enjoy the chocolate.)”

Correction: Disfruto el chocolate. OR Me gusta el chocolate. (I like the chocolate.) 'Disfrutar' usually refers to experiencing pleasure during an action, not just a general preference.

gustar

goos-TARɡusˈtaɾ

verbA1general
Use 'gustar' to express a general liking or preference for something, where the thing itself is pleasing to you, rather than you actively enjoying it in the moment.
A smiling child holds a bright red apple, showing clear enjoyment and preference for the fruit.

Examples

Me gusta viajar por el mundo.

I like traveling the world.

Me gusta mucho el chocolate.

I really like chocolate. (Literally: Chocolate is very pleasing to me.)

Nos gustan las películas de acción.

We like action movies. (The verb 'gustan' is plural because 'películas' is plural.)

¿Te gusta viajar a otros países?

Do you like traveling to other countries?

The 'Backwards' Verb Rule

Unlike English, the person doing the liking is not the main subject. The thing being liked is the subject, and the verb must agree with it. Use 'gusta' for singular things/activities, and 'gustan' for plural things.

The Required 'Me/Te/Le' Structure

You MUST use the small pronoun (me, te, le, nos, os, les) to show who is doing the liking. This pronoun is essential and cannot be dropped.

Using 'Yo gusto' to say 'I like'

Mistake: “Yo gusto el café.”

Correction: Me gusta el café. (The correct way is 'The coffee is pleasing to me.')

Forgetting the Plural Form

Mistake: “Me gusta los perros.”

Correction: Me gustan los perros. (Since 'perros' is plural, the verb must be 'gustan.')

vacilar

ba-see-larbaθiˈlaɾ

verbB2informal
Use 'vacilar' to describe having a good time, relaxing, or 'vibing' with friends, often in a casual, social setting.
A group of happy people dancing together under colorful hanging lanterns.

Examples

Los jóvenes van a la plaza a vacilar.

The young people are going to the square to hang out and have fun.

Fuimos a la playa a vacilar con los amigos.

We went to the beach to party and hang out with friends.

¡Qué buena música! Vamos a vacilar un rato.

What great music! Let's vibe/have fun for a while.

Me gusta vacilar la vida.

I like to enjoy life/have a good time.

Intransitive Use

In this party context, the verb usually stands alone without needing an object. You just go to 'vacilar'.

Gustar vs. Disfrutar

The most common confusion is between 'gustar' and 'disfrutar'. Remember, 'gustar' expresses a general liking (the thing pleases you), while 'disfrutar' implies actively experiencing pleasure in a specific moment or activity.

Related Translations

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