gostar de + Noun/Infinitive

The verb gostar is a regular -ar verb, but it is a 'transitive indirect verb,' meaning it requires a bridge to connect to a noun or verb. In almost all cases, that bridge is the preposition de.

1. Basic Structure:
To say 'I like music,' you say Eu gosto de música. Without the 'de', the sentence is grammatically incomplete. Note: Traditional prescriptive grammar requires the preposition before conjunctions like que (e.g., Gosto de que você venha), but in modern everyday usage, it is overwhelmingly common and accepted to drop it to sound more natural (e.g., Gosto que você venha). When using gostar (de) que to introduce a new subject, it requires the subjunctive mood.

2. Mandatory Contractions:
When the object is preceded by a definite article, a demonstrative pronoun, or a third-person pronoun, the preposition de must merge with it:

• de + o = do / de + os = dos (I like the book(s) -> Gosto do livro / dos livros)
• de + a = da / de + as = das (I like the beach(es) -> Gosto da praia / das praias)
• de + este = deste (I like this one -> Gosto deste)
• de + ele = dele (I like him -> Gosto dele)

Note that de does not contract with pronouns like você or mim (e.g., Gosto de você). Before possessive pronouns, the definite article itself is optional depending on the dialect. If you use the article, contraction is mandatory (Gosto do meu carro); if you omit the article, there is no contraction (Gosto de meu carro).

3. Using with Verbs:
When you like doing an activity, use the infinitive form of the verb after 'de'.
Example: Gosto de viajar (I like to travel).

4. Expressing Preference:
To say you prefer or like something more, use gostar mais de. When comparing two things, traditional grammar maintains the preposition for both items (do que de) to keep grammatical parallelism. However, in everyday spoken Portuguese, it is incredibly common and accepted to drop the second 'de'.
Example: Gosto mais de chá do que (de) café (I like tea more than coffee).

5. Adverb Placement:
Adverbs of intensity like muito (a lot) or pouco (a little) are placed directly after the verb, between the verb and the preposition.
Example: Eu gosto muito de música (I like music a lot).

6. Polite Requests:
To say 'I would like' when making polite requests (like ordering food or shopping), use the conditional form gostaria de (e.g., Gostaria de um café, por favor). In European Portuguese, the imperfect form gostava de is also frequently used for this exact same purpose.

7. Cultural Nuance with People:
When using gostar de with people (e.g., Gosto de você or Gosto dele/dela), it often implies romantic interest or deep affection, serving as a step just below amar (to love). For casual acquaintances or friends, context is key, or speakers might use other expressions to avoid misunderstandings.