Não gosto disso

Grammatically, this phrase is a bit of a stickler because of the word de. In Portuguese, the verb gostar (to like) always needs the preposition de following it. So, you aren't just 'liking something'; you are 'liking *of* something.' When you want to say you don't like 'that thing we were just talking about,' you use disso. If you are holding the object in your hand, you might switch it to disto (of this), but disso is the heavy hitter for most general situations. You can place Eu (I) at the beginning—Eu não gosto disso—if you want to sound extra emphatic, like you are making a formal declaration of your hatred for raisins in rice. However, most natives just drop the Eu because the verb ending already tells us who is doing the disliking.

This phrase is the ultimate social chameleon. It sits comfortably in the 'neutral' zone, meaning you can use it with your best friend over a beer or with your boss during a Zoom call. In a casual setting, you might shorten your pronunciation or use a slightly more bored tone. In a professional setting, you might follow it up with a reason to soften the blow, such as Não gosto disso, pois prefiro outra abordagem (I don't like that, as I prefer another approach). It is never inherently rude, but because it is so direct, your facial expression does 90% of the work. If you say it with a smile, you're just picky; if you say it with a scowl, you're starting a fight about the office thermostat.

Imagine you are scrolling through a streaming app with a friend, and they suggest a cheesy horror movie that you know is terrible. You'd simply point at the screen and say, Não gosto disso, vamos ver outra coisa. Or, picture yourself at a Brazilian barbecue (churrasco) and someone offers you a drink that looks suspiciously like neon green soda. A polite Obrigado, mas não gosto disso works perfectly. It also shows up constantly in text messages. If someone sends you a meme that is more 'cringe' than 'funny,' a quick Não gosto disso kkkk (the Brazilian version of 'lol') lets them know your sense of humor is far superior to theirs. Even in the world of online shopping, if a website suggests a pair of shoes that look like they belong in a 1970s disco, you're internally shouting this phrase at your browser.

You should pull this phrase out of your pocket whenever you need to decline an offer or express an opinion on a situation, object, or idea. It is perfect for food you genuinely don't enjoy, music genres that give you a headache, or even a new company policy that makes your life harder. It is particularly useful when you want to be honest but don't want to use stronger, more aggressive words like odeio (I hate). It’s the 'Goldilocks' of negative expressions—not too soft, not too hard, just right. Use it when someone asks for your honest feedback on a design, a plan, or a gift that you know you'll never actually use but appreciate the thought behind.

Don't use Não gosto disso when you are talking about people. If you want to say you don't like 'him' or 'her,' you must use Não gosto dele or Não gosto dela. Using disso for a person makes them sound like an object, which is a great way to lose friends and alienate people. Also, try to avoid it when someone is being extremely vulnerable or sharing something they worked really hard on, like a first draft of a poem. In those cases, maybe use something softer like Não é muito o meu estilo (It’s not really my style). Saying Não gosto disso to a child showing you their finger painting is technically correct, but also a bit of a villain move. Save the bluntness for the corporate meetings or the bad Netflix recommendations.

The most frequent trap for English speakers is forgetting the de. In English, we say 'I don't like this,' but in Portuguese, you must say 'I don't like *of* this.'

Another mistake is using disso when you actually mean disso—wait, let me explain. People often mix up disso (that thing near you/just mentioned) and disto (this thing near me). While natives will understand you regardless, using disto for something you are holding makes you sound like a pro. Also, watch out for the nasal 'ão' sound in Não. If you say it like 'now,' you're talking about time, not negation. It should sound more like you're humming through your nose while saying 'now.'

If you want to sound more like a local, especially in Brazil, you might swap 'gosto' for 'curto.' Não curto isso is the cooler, younger sibling of our main phrase. It’s what you’d say on a TikTok comment or while talking about a new music release. For something a bit more sophisticated or formal, you could say Não me agrada (It doesn't please me), which makes you sound like a fancy food critic. If you want to be very emphatic, you can say Não gosto disso nem um pouco (I don't like that even a little bit). In Portugal, you might hear Não aprecio (I don't appreciate/enjoy), which carries a slightly more refined weight. Choose your version based on whether you're wearing flip-flops or a blazer.

Is it rude to say this to a waiter? Not at all, as long as your tone is polite. It is better to be honest about a dish you can't eat than to suffer in silence. Can I use it for an abstract idea? Absolutely. If someone suggests a weird plan for the weekend, Não gosto disso perfectly expresses your hesitation. Does it work for all Portuguese dialects? Yes, it is universally understood from Lisbon to Luanda to Rio. Should I always include the word 'disso'? If the object is clear, you can just say Não gosto, but disso adds a satisfying 'clunk' to the end of the sentence that makes it feel complete. Is 'não gosto' more common than 'não curto'? 'Não gosto' is more standard and universal, while 'não curto' is definitely more 'Gen Z' and Brazilian-leaning.