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A1 verb #1,200 mais comum 14 min de leitura

gefallen

Top 1,200

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas gefallen em 30 segundos

Explicação gefallen in your Level:

At the A1 level, learning 'gefallen' is primarily about memorizing fixed phrases to express basic likes and dislikes. You will learn the phrase 'Das gefällt mir' (I like that) and 'Das gefällt mir nicht' (I don't like that). The focus is on recognizing that 'mir' means 'to me' and that the object you are talking about is the subject of the sentence. You will practice using it with singular nouns ('Das Auto gefällt mir') and plural nouns ('Die Schuhe gefallen mir'). You are not expected to fully master the dative case yet, but rather to use these phrases as chunks of vocabulary to survive in basic shopping or social situations. You will also learn to ask simple questions like 'Gefällt dir das?' (Do you like that?).

At the A2 level, your understanding of 'gefallen' expands to include all the personal dative pronouns (mir, dir, ihm, ihr, uns, euch, ihnen/Ihnen). You will be expected to construct sentences like 'Der Film gefällt ihm' (He likes the movie) or 'Das Haus gefällt uns' (We like the house). You will also start using the perfect tense to talk about past experiences: 'Das Konzert hat mir gefallen' (I liked the concert). At this stage, the distinction between 'gefallen' (for things you see/experience) and 'schmecken' (for food) becomes a key learning point, and you will practice avoiding the common mistake of using 'gefallen' for a good meal.

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At the B1 level, you will use 'gefallen' more flexibly within complex sentences. You will learn to use it with subordinate clauses, such as 'Es gefällt mir, dass du pünktlich bist' (I like that you are on time) or 'Mir gefällt das Buch, weil es spannend ist' (I like the book because it is exciting). You will also start using the simple past tense (Präteritum) 'gefiel' in written texts or when recounting stories. The phrase 'Was gefällt dir an...' (What do you like about...) becomes an active part of your vocabulary for deeper conversations. You will also be introduced to the reflexive use in the phrase 'sich etwas gefallen lassen' (to put up with something).

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At the B2 level, 'gefallen' is used to express nuanced opinions and critiques. You will use it in professional and academic contexts to evaluate proposals, designs, or arguments. You will be comfortable placing the dative object in the first position for emphasis: 'Mir persönlich gefällt dieser Ansatz besser' (Personally, I like this approach better). You will also use the subjunctive II (Konjunktiv II) to express hypothetical preferences: 'Es würde mir gefallen, wenn wir das Projekt vorziehen könnten' (I would like it if we could move the project forward). You will easily distinguish it from synonyms like 'zusagen' or 'ansprechen' and use them interchangeably to vary your vocabulary.

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At the C1 level, your use of 'gefallen' is native-like. You will employ nominalized forms like 'Gefallen finden an' (to take a liking to) in sophisticated discourse: 'Er hat schnell Gefallen an der klassischen Literatur gefunden' (He quickly took a liking to classical literature). You will understand and use idiomatic expressions flawlessly, such as 'jemandem zu Gefallen sein' (to be of service/pleasing to someone). You will navigate complex sentence structures where the subject and dative object are separated by multiple clauses, maintaining perfect grammatical agreement. Your use of the verb will reflect a deep understanding of German cultural communication styles, using it to soften critiques or express polite approval.

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At the C2 level, 'gefallen' is a tool for rhetorical precision. You will use it in literary analysis, philosophical discussions, or high-level negotiations. You will appreciate the etymological roots of the word and how it relates to the concept of something 'falling' into one's favor. You will use rare or archaic constructions if appropriate for stylistic effect. You will effortlessly contrast 'gefallen' with its antonym 'missfallen' in formal writing: 'Sein zögerliches Verhalten missfiel dem Gremium zutiefst' (His hesitant behavior deeply displeased the committee). Your mastery of the verb is absolute, reflecting a comprehensive command of the German language's subtleties and structural elegance.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

gefallen em 30 segundos

Means 'to like' or 'to please', used for things you see, hear, or experience.
Requires the Dative case (mir, dir, ihm, ihr, uns, euch, ihnen).
The thing you like is the subject (e.g., Das Auto gefällt mir).
Do not use it for food; use 'schmecken' instead.

The German verb gefallen is one of the most essential words for expressing preferences, translating roughly to 'to like' or 'to please'. However, its grammatical structure is fundamentally different from the English 'to like'. In English, the person who likes something is the subject, and the thing being liked is the object (e.g., 'I like the book'). In German, when using gefallen, the thing that is pleasing is the subject, and the person who is pleased is the indirect object in the dative case. This means the literal translation is closer to 'The book is pleasing to me' (Das Buch gefällt mir). Understanding this inversion is a critical milestone for any German learner, as it introduces the concept of dative verbs and shifts the perspective of how preferences are articulated in the language.

Das neue Auto gefällt mir sehr gut.

The new car pleases me very much (I like the new car very much).

People use gefallen in a wide variety of everyday situations. It is the go-to verb when you want to express that something appeals to your senses, your taste, or your aesthetic appreciation. You will hear it constantly when people are shopping for clothes, looking at art, listening to music, or evaluating a new city or apartment. It is less commonly used for food, where schmecken (to taste good) is preferred, and it is distinct from mögen, which often implies a deeper, more established affection or is used with people and general concepts.

Visual Appeal: Used when looking at clothing, art, or design. Example: 'Die Farbe gefällt mir' (I like the color).
Auditory Appeal: Used for music, voices, or sounds. Example: 'Das Lied gefällt mir' (I like the song).
General Experiences: Used for movies, vacations, or events. Example: 'Der Film hat mir gefallen' (I liked the movie).

The verb is irregular, undergoing a stem vowel change in the present tense for the second and third person singular (du gefällst, er/sie/es gefällt). In the past tense, it becomes gefiel, and the past participle is gefallen. Notice that the past participle is identical to the infinitive, which is a common trait among certain strong German verbs. Furthermore, when forming the perfect tense, gefallen uses the auxiliary verb haben (e.g., es hat mir gefallen), which is crucial to distinguish it from the verb fallen (to fall), which uses sein (e.g., er ist gefallen).

Die Schuhe gefallen mir nicht.

I do not like the shoes. (Notice the plural verb form because 'Die Schuhe' is plural).

In social contexts, telling someone that you like their outfit or their home using gefallen is a standard and polite compliment. It strikes the perfect balance between expressing genuine appreciation without sounding overly intimate or exaggerated. For instance, saying 'Deine Wohnung gefällt mir sehr' (I really like your apartment) is a lovely thing to say when visiting someone for the first time. It shows observation and appreciation. Conversely, if something does not appeal to you, adding 'nicht' or 'gar nicht' (not at all) makes the statement negative: 'Das gefällt mir gar nicht' (I don't like that at all).

Wie gefällt dir Berlin?

How do you like Berlin? (A very common question asked of tourists or newcomers).

Mastering gefallen requires a solid grasp of the dative pronouns: mir (me), dir (you, informal), ihm (him/it), ihr (her), uns (us), euch (you all), and ihnen/Ihnen (them/You formal). Without knowing these pronouns, you cannot specify who is experiencing the pleasure or attraction. Practice mapping these pronouns to the subject to build fluency. The more you use it, the more natural the 'reverse' structure will feel, paving the way for other dative verbs like helfen (to help), danken (to thank), and gehören (to belong to).

Dieser Vorschlag gefällt uns am besten.

We like this proposal the best. (Literally: This proposal pleases us the most).

Hat dir das Konzert gefallen?

Did you like the concert? (Perfect tense question).

Constructing sentences with gefallen requires a shift in perspective for English speakers. The core rule to remember is: The object you like is the grammatical subject (Nominative), and you (the person liking it) are the indirect object (Dative). This means the verb conjugates according to the thing being liked, not the person liking it. If the thing you like is singular, use gefällt. If the things you like are plural, use gefallen. This is the most fundamental mechanical rule of the verb and the source of most beginner errors.

Singular Subject: Der Pullover (Nominative singular) gefällt (verb, 3rd person singular) mir (Dative pronoun). -> I like the sweater.
Plural Subject: Die Blumen (Nominative plural) gefallen (verb, 3rd person plural) ihr (Dative pronoun). -> She likes the flowers.
Dummy Subject 'Es': Es (Nominative dummy) gefällt (verb) mir hier. -> I like it here.

Die Jacke gefällt mir, aber sie ist zu teuer.

I like the jacket, but it is too expensive.

Word order is another critical aspect. In a standard declarative sentence, the subject usually comes first, followed by the verb, and then the dative object (e.g., Das Haus gefällt mir). However, German is flexible. For emphasis, you can place the dative object at the beginning of the sentence. When you do this, the verb must remain in the second position, pushing the subject to the third position (e.g., Mir gefällt das Haus). Both sentences mean exactly the same thing, but the latter places a slight emphasis on 'Mir' (To ME, the house is pleasing). This flexibility is a hallmark of German syntax and allows for nuanced expression.

Mir gefallen diese Schuhe besser als die anderen.

I like these shoes better than the other ones. (Emphasis on 'Mir').

When forming questions, the verb moves to the first position for yes/no questions. For example, 'Gefällt dir das Buch?' (Do you like the book?). If you are using a question word (W-word), the verb remains in the second position: 'Was gefällt dir an diesem Film?' (What do you like about this movie?). Notice the preposition 'an' (at/on) used here. The combination 'gefallen an' (+ Dative) is used to specify exactly what aspect of something you like. For instance, 'An ihm gefällt mir sein Humor' (What I like about him is his humor).

Was gefällt dir an der neuen Stadt?

What do you like about the new city?

Let's talk about tenses. In the simple past (Präteritum), the verb changes to gefiel. This is often used in written narratives or formal speech. 'Das Bild gefiel ihm sofort' (He liked the picture immediately). In spoken German, the present perfect (Perfekt) is much more common. It is formed with the auxiliary verb haben and the past participle gefallen. 'Das Essen hat mir sehr gut gefallen' (Wait, trick example! For food, use schmecken. Let's correct that: 'Das Theaterstück hat mir sehr gut gefallen' - I liked the play very much). Always ensure you use haben and not sein, as sein gefallen means someone or something physically fell down.

Der Urlaub hat uns ausgezeichnet gefallen.

We liked the vacation excellently. (Present perfect tense).

Es würde mir gefallen, wenn du öfter anrufst.

I would like it if you called more often. (Subjunctive II / Konjunktiv II).

The verb gefallen is ubiquitous in the German-speaking world. Because expressing preferences is a fundamental part of human interaction, you will encounter this word in almost every domain of daily life. From casual conversations with friends to formal business meetings, gefallen is the standard tool for evaluating and sharing opinions on objects, experiences, and ideas. Understanding its contextual nuances will help you sound more native and participate more fully in German culture.

Shopping and Retail: When trying on clothes, a shop assistant might ask, 'Gefällt Ihnen die Farbe?' (Do you like the color?). You might reply, 'Ja, sie gefällt mir sehr gut.'
Media and Entertainment: After watching a movie or reading a book, friends will ask each other, 'Wie hat dir der Film gefallen?' (How did you like the movie?).
Social Media: The 'Like' button on Facebook and other platforms is translated as 'Gefällt mir' in German. This is a direct application of the verb.

Das gefällt mir!

I like that! (Also the literal text on a Facebook 'Like' button).

In the context of dating and interpersonal relationships, gefallen plays a subtle but important role. If you find someone physically attractive or charming, you might say, 'Er gefällt mir' (I like him / I find him attractive). This is usually less intense than saying 'Ich mag ihn' (I like his personality) or 'Ich liebe ihn' (I love him). It focuses more on the initial impression, appearance, or specific appealing traits. It is a safe, somewhat guarded way to express interest without overcommitting your emotions early on.

Der neue Kollege gefällt mir gut, er ist sehr hilfsbereit.

I like the new colleague, he is very helpful.

In professional environments, gefallen is used to evaluate proposals, designs, or outcomes. A manager might review a presentation and say, 'Das Layout gefällt mir, aber der Text muss überarbeitet werden' (I like the layout, but the text needs to be revised). It provides a clear, objective-sounding way to express subjective approval. Because the subject of the sentence is the object being evaluated (the layout), it subtly shifts the focus away from the speaker's personal ego and onto the merit of the work itself, which aligns well with German professional communication styles.

Dieser Entwurf gefällt der Geschäftsführung.

The management likes this draft. (Notice 'der Geschäftsführung' is in the dative case).

Die Idee gefällt mir überhaupt nicht.

I don't like the idea at all. (A strong, clear rejection).

Hoffentlich gefällt dir dein Geschenk.

Hopefully you like your gift. (Commonly written on birthday cards).

Because gefallen operates differently from the English 'to like', it is a frequent source of errors for learners. The most prominent mistake is trying to force the English Subject-Verb-Object structure onto the German sentence. An English speaker naturally wants to say 'Ich gefalle das Buch' to mean 'I like the book'. This is entirely incorrect and actually means 'I am pleasing to the book' (which makes no sense). You must train your brain to flip the sentence: The book is the subject, and you are the dative object: 'Das Buch gefällt mir'.

Mistake: Wrong Subject: Incorrect: Ich gefalle den Film. Correct: Der Film gefällt mir.
Mistake: Accusative instead of Dative: Incorrect: Das Buch gefällt mich. Correct: Das Buch gefällt mir.
Mistake: Conjugating for the person: Incorrect: Die Schuhe gefällt mir. Correct: Die Schuhe gefallen mir. (Because shoes are plural).

Das Bild gefällt mir.

I like the picture. (Correct usage with Dative 'mir').

Another very common mistake is confusing gefallen with schmecken. In English, we use 'like' for everything: 'I like the movie', 'I like the shirt', 'I like the pizza'. In German, gefallen is used for things you see, hear, or experience, but NOT for things you eat or drink. If you say 'Die Pizza gefällt mir', a German will assume you like how the pizza looks (perhaps it has a nice arrangement of pepperoni), but it says nothing about the taste. To say you like the taste of food, you must use schmecken: 'Die Pizza schmeckt mir'.

Die Musik gefällt mir, aber der Kuchen schmeckt mir nicht.

I like the music, but I don't like the cake. (Demonstrating the difference).

A third area of confusion involves the past tense. Because the past participle of gefallen is also gefallen, learners sometimes mix up the auxiliary verbs haben and sein. The verb fallen (to fall) uses sein (e.g., 'Der Apfel ist gefallen' - The apple has fallen). The verb gefallen (to please) uses haben (e.g., 'Der Apfel hat mir gefallen' - I liked the apple). Using the wrong auxiliary verb completely changes the meaning of your sentence and can lead to highly comical misunderstandings. Always double-check your auxiliary verb when speaking in the perfect tense.

Der Film hat mir gefallen.

I liked the movie. (Using 'hat', not 'ist').

Diese Farben gefallen uns.

We like these colors. (Plural subject 'Farben' takes plural verb 'gefallen').

Es hat ihr nicht gefallen.

She didn't like it. (Using dative 'ihr' for 'her').

While gefallen is highly versatile, German offers several other verbs to express liking, preference, or appeal. Knowing when to use which verb is a mark of an advanced speaker. The most common alternative that learners encounter early on is mögen. Unlike gefallen, mögen functions like the English 'to like'—the person is the subject, and the thing liked is the accusative object (e.g., 'Ich mag das Buch'). However, mögen often implies a deeper, more permanent affinity or a general preference, whereas gefallen is often used for a specific instance, a first impression, or aesthetic appeal.

mögen: To like (general preference, people, concepts). 'Ich mag Hunde' (I like dogs). Active structure.
lieben: To love. Stronger than gefallen or mögen. 'Ich liebe dieses Lied' (I love this song).
ansprechen: To appeal to. More formal. 'Das Design spricht mich an' (The design appeals to me).

Ich mag klassische Musik, aber dieses moderne Stück gefällt mir auch.

I like classical music (general), but I also like this modern piece (specific instance).

Another excellent alternative, especially in formal or professional contexts, is zusagen. It functions grammatically exactly like gefallen (taking a dative object) but carries a slightly more formal tone, often translating to 'to appeal to' or 'to be acceptable to'. For example, 'Dieses Angebot sagt mir zu' (This offer appeals to me / is acceptable to me). It is frequently used in business correspondence or when evaluating formal proposals. Using zusagen instead of gefallen in a professional email demonstrates a high level of vocabulary proficiency.

Der Vorschlag hat dem Kunden sehr gefallen.

The proposal pleased the client very much. (Could also use 'zugesagt' here).

For negative preferences, the direct antonym is missfallen (to displease). It is conjugated similarly but is quite formal and less common in everyday speech. Instead of saying 'Das missfällt mir', most Germans will simply negate gefallen by saying 'Das gefällt mir nicht'. However, in literature or formal critiques, missfallen is a powerful word. 'Sein Verhalten hat mir zutiefst missfallen' (His behavior displeased me deeply). Understanding these nuances allows you to tailor your language to the specific social or professional context you find yourself in.

Das gefällt mir gar nicht.

I don't like that at all. (The standard way to express dislike).

Ihre neue Frisur gefällt mir besser als die alte.

I like your new hairstyle better than the old one.

Das Buch gefällt mir, weil es spannend ist.

I like the book because it is exciting.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The English phrase 'it fell to me' (meaning it became my responsibility or my luck) shares the same conceptual root. In German, if something 'falls' to you in a good way, it 'pleases' you (es gefällt dir).

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ɡəˈfalən/

US /ɡəˈfalən/

ge-FAL-len

Rima com

fallen prallen lallen knallen schallen wallen krallen ballen

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'g' like a 'j' (it must be a hard 'g').
Stressing the first syllable (GE-fallen instead of ge-FAL-len).
Pronouncing the 'a' like the 'a' in 'apple' (it should be an 'ah' sound).
Fully pronouncing the final 'en' (it should be reduced to a syllabic 'n').
Confusing it with 'gefehlt' (missed) due to similar spelling.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize, but learners might misinterpret who likes what if they miss the dative pronoun.

Escrita 6/5

Requires remembering the reverse syntax and correct dative pronoun, which is hard for beginners.

Expressão oral 7/5

Thinking in reverse on the fly ('The book pleases me' instead of 'I like the book') takes significant practice.

Audição 5/5

Word order can be tricky if the dative pronoun comes first ('Mir gefällt...').

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

ich mir du dir das Buch gut nicht

Aprenda a seguir

schmecken gehören helfen danken passen

Avançado

zusagen ansprechen missfallen Gefallen finden an sich gefallen lassen

Gramática essencial

Dative Verbs

Verbs like gefallen, helfen, danken, and gehören take a dative object instead of an accusative object.

Word Order with Dative Pronouns

The dative pronoun can be placed in position 1 for emphasis: 'Mir gefällt das Haus'.

Perfect Tense Auxiliary Verbs

'gefallen' uses 'haben' in the perfect tense (hat gefallen), unlike 'fallen' which uses 'sein' (ist gefallen).

Dummy Subject 'Es'

'Es' is used as a placeholder subject when talking about general situations: 'Es gefällt mir hier'.

Subjunctive II (Konjunktiv II)

To express a polite wish or hypothetical, use 'würde gefallen' or 'gefiele': 'Es würde mir gefallen, wenn...'.

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Exemplos por nível

Das Auto gefällt mir.

The car pleases me (I like the car).

'Das Auto' is the subject (Nominative), 'mir' is the indirect object (Dative).

Die Schuhe gefallen mir.

The shoes please me (I like the shoes).

Use 'gefallen' because 'Die Schuhe' is plural.

Gefällt dir das Buch?

Does the book please you? (Do you like the book?).

Question format: Verb comes first.

Das gefällt mir nicht.

That does not please me (I don't like that).

Add 'nicht' to the end to make it negative.

Berlin gefällt mir sehr.

Berlin pleases me very much (I like Berlin a lot).

'sehr' intensifies the liking.

Gefällt es dir hier?

Does it please you here? (Do you like it here?).

'es' is a dummy subject referring to the general place/situation.

Der Hund gefällt mir.

The dog pleases me (I like the dog).

'Der Hund' is masculine nominative.

Die Farbe gefällt mir gut.

The color pleases me well (I like the color).

'gut' is often added to 'gefallen' for emphasis.

Der Film hat mir gut gefallen.

The movie pleased me well (I liked the movie).

Perfect tense using 'hat' + 'gefallen'.

Gefällt ihm das Geschenk?

Does the gift please him? (Does he like the gift?).

'ihm' is the dative pronoun for 'er' (he).

Das Haus gefällt uns.

The house pleases us (We like the house).

'uns' is the dative pronoun for 'wir' (we).

Die Musik gefällt ihr nicht.

The music does not please her (She doesn't like the music).

'ihr' is the dative pronoun for 'sie' (she).

Wie hat dir der Urlaub gefallen?

How did the vacation please you? (How did you like the vacation?).

Question in the perfect tense.

Diese Jacke gefällt mir besser.

This jacket pleases me better (I like this jacket better).

Using the comparative 'besser'.

Gefallen euch die neuen Möbel?

Do the new furniture pieces please you all? (Do you guys like the new furniture?).

'euch' is the dative pronoun for 'ihr' (you all, plural).

Das Bild gefiel mir sofort.

The picture pleased me immediately (I liked the picture immediately).

Simple past tense 'gefiel'.

Es gefällt mir, dass du immer pünktlich bist.

It pleases me that you are always on time.

'Es' anticipates the 'dass' clause.

Was gefällt dir an dieser Stadt am meisten?

What do you like most about this city?

'gefallen an' + Dative specifies what aspect you like.

Mir gefällt die Idee, am Wochenende ans Meer zu fahren.

I like the idea of driving to the sea on the weekend.

Dative pronoun 'Mir' in position 1 for emphasis.

Das lasse ich mir nicht gefallen!

I won't put up with that!

Idiomatic reflexive use: 'sich etwas gefallen lassen'.

Obwohl es regnete, hat mir der Ausflug gefallen.

Although it rained, I liked the trip.

Using 'gefallen' in a main clause after a concessive subordinate clause.

Der neue Lehrer gefällt den Schülern sehr gut.

The students like the new teacher very much.

Dative plural noun 'den Schülern'.

Gefiele es dir, wenn wir heute Abend ins Kino gehen?

Would you like it if we went to the cinema tonight?

Subjunctive II (Konjunktiv II) 'gefiele'.

Das Kleid hat mir im Geschäft besser gefallen als zu Hause.

I liked the dress better in the store than at home.

Comparing past experiences.

Mir persönlich gefällt dieser architektonische Entwurf am besten.

Personally, I like this architectural design the best.

Adding 'persönlich' to emphasize subjective opinion.

Es würde mir sehr gefallen, wenn Sie mir die Unterlagen zeitnah zusenden könnten.

I would very much appreciate it if you could send me the documents promptly.

Polite formal request using Konjunktiv II.

An seinem Schreibstil gefällt mir besonders die klare Struktur.

What I particularly like about his writing style is the clear structure.

Complex sentence with 'gefallen an'.

Die ständigen Unterbrechungen während des Meetings haben mir gar nicht gefallen.

I didn't like the constant interruptions during the meeting at all.

Plural subject 'Die ständigen Unterbrechungen'.

Er hat schnell Gefallen an seinem neuen Hobby gefunden.

He quickly took a liking to his new hobby.

Nominalized phrase 'Gefallen finden an'.

Dass er sich nicht entschuldigt hat, gefällt mir ganz und gar nicht.

The fact that he didn't apologize doesn't please me at all.

A 'dass' clause acting as the subject of 'gefallen'.

Wie gefällt Ihnen die aktuelle Entwicklung auf dem Finanzmarkt?

How do you like the current development in the financial market?

Formal 'Ihnen' in a professional context.

Ich muss mir seine unverschämten Bemerkungen nicht länger gefallen lassen.

I don't have to put up with his insolent remarks any longer.

Modal verb 'muss' with 'sich gefallen lassen'.

Die Inszenierung des Theaterstücks gefiel dem kritischen Publikum außerordentlich gut.

The staging of the play pleased the critical audience exceptionally well.

Advanced vocabulary 'Inszenierung', 'außerordentlich'.

Es missfällt mir zutiefst, wie in dieser Debatte mit Fakten umgegangen wird.

It deeply displeases me how facts are handled in this debate.

Using the antonym 'missfallen' for strong formal expression.

Er tat es nur, um seinem Vorgesetzten zu Gefallen zu sein.

He only did it to be of service/pleasing to his superior.

Idiomatic phrase 'jemandem zu Gefallen sein'.

An der vorgeschlagenen Reform gefällt mir die konsequente Ausrichtung auf Nachhaltigkeit.

What I like about the proposed reform is its consistent focus on sustainability.

High-level professional vocabulary and syntax.

Solch ein respektloses Verhalten lasse ich mir unter keinen Umständen gefallen.

I will not put up with such disrespectful behavior under any circumstances.

Strong negation 'unter keinen Umständen'.

Dem Verfasser gefiel es, seine Argumentation mit rhetorischen Fragen zu spicken.

It pleased the author to pepper his argumentation with rhetorical questions.

'gefallen' taking an infinitive clause as the subject.

Ob das neue Design der breiten Masse gefallen wird, bleibt abzuwarten.

Whether the new design will please the general public remains to be seen.

Future tense in a subordinate 'Ob' clause.

Sie fand zunehmend Gefallen an der Idee, sich selbstständig zu machen.

She increasingly took a liking to the idea of becoming self-employed.

'Gefallen finden an' with an extended infinitive clause.

Die subtile Ironie in seinem Werk gefällt mir weitaus besser als der plumpe Sarkasmus seiner frühen Jahre.

I like the subtle irony in his work far better than the clumsy sarcasm of his early years.

Complex comparative structure with abstract nouns.

Es mag ihm wohl gefallen haben, im Mittelpunkt zu stehen, doch der Preis dafür war hoch.

It may well have pleased him to be the center of attention, but the price for it was high.

Modal verb 'mag' with perfect infinitive 'gefallen haben'.

Dass diese Maßnahme nicht jedem gefallen würde, war von vornherein einkalkuliert worden.

That this measure would not please everyone had been factored in from the outset.

Passive voice 'war einkalkuliert worden' combined with Konjunktiv II.

Er ist nicht der Typ, der sich derlei Anmaßungen widerspruchslos gefallen ließe.

He is not the type who would put up with such presumptions without contradiction.

Konjunktiv II of 'lassen' (ließe) in a relative clause.

An der Symphonie gefiel den Rezensenten vor allem die kühne Dissonanz im zweiten Satz.

What the reviewers liked most about the symphony was the bold dissonance in the second movement.

Specific domain vocabulary (music criticism).

Gefiele es den Herrschaften, nun im Speisesaal Platz zu nehmen?

Would it please the ladies and gentlemen to take their seats in the dining room now?

Highly formal, slightly archaic Konjunktiv II request.

Ihre Ausführungen haben mir insofern gefallen, als sie eine völlig neue Perspektive eröffneten.

I liked your explanations insofar as they opened up a completely new perspective.

Conjunction 'insofern, als' (insofar as).

Man kann es eben nicht allen recht machen, irgendwem wird es immer missfallen.

You just can't please everyone; it will always displease someone.

Philosophical statement contrasting 'recht machen' and 'missfallen'.

Colocações comuns

sehr gut gefallen

gar nicht gefallen

besonders gefallen

auf Anhieb gefallen

besser gefallen

am besten gefallen

Gefallen finden an

sich gefallen lassen

jemandem zu Gefallen sein

überhaupt nicht gefallen

Frases Comuns

Das gefällt mir.

— I like that. The standard way to express approval.

Das gefällt mir sehr gut.

Wie gefällt es dir hier?

— How do you like it here? Used to ask about someone's impression of a place.

Wie gefällt es dir in Berlin?

Wenn es dir gefällt...

— If you like it... Used to defer to someone else's preference.

Wir können das kaufen, wenn es dir gefällt.

Das lasse ich mir nicht gefallen!

— I won't put up with that! A strong expression of refusing to tolerate bad treatment.

Seine Beleidigungen lasse ich mir nicht gefallen!

Gefällt mir!

— I like it! Also the literal translation of the Facebook 'Like' button.

Klick einfach auf 'Gefällt mir'.

Was gefällt dir daran?

— What do you like about it? Asking for specific reasons for a preference.

Was gefällt dir an diesem Film so sehr?

Es würde mir gefallen, wenn...

— I would like it if... A polite way to make a request or express a wish.

Es würde mir gefallen, wenn du kommst.

Das muss dir nicht gefallen.

— You don't have to like it. Used when stating a hard truth or an unavoidable situation.

Es ist die Regel, das muss dir nicht gefallen.

Gefällt dir, was du siehst?

— Do you like what you see? Can be used playfully or flirtatiously.

Na, gefällt dir, was du siehst?

Mir gefällt der Gedanke.

— I like the thought/idea. Expressing approval of a concept.

Mir gefällt der Gedanke, ans Meer zu ziehen.

Frequentemente confundido com

gefallen vs mögen

'Mögen' means 'to like' but uses the person as the subject (Ich mag das Buch). 'Gefallen' uses the object as the subject (Das Buch gefällt mir).

gefallen vs schmecken

'Schmecken' is strictly for food and drink. 'Gefallen' is for things you see, hear, or experience.

gefallen vs fallen

'Fallen' means 'to fall'. It is the root word but has a completely different meaning and uses 'sein' in the past tense, whereas 'gefallen' uses 'haben'.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Gefallen finden an (+ Dative)"

— To take a liking to something. Implies a process of growing to like it.

Ich habe langsam Gefallen an klassischer Musik gefunden.

formal

"sich (Dative) etwas gefallen lassen"

— To put up with something, to tolerate bad behavior.

Du darfst dir das nicht gefallen lassen!

neutral

"jemandem einen Gefallen tun"

— To do someone a favor. (Uses the noun 'der Gefallen').

Kannst du mir einen Gefallen tun?

neutral

"jemandem zu Gefallen sein"

— To act in a way that pleases someone else, often subserviently.

Er redet nur, um dem Chef zu Gefallen zu sein.

formal

"wie es einem gefällt"

— As one pleases, however one likes.

Du kannst das Zimmer einrichten, wie es dir gefällt.

neutral

"Gefallen macht schön"

— Pleasing makes beautiful. A proverb meaning that if you like someone, they appear beautiful to you.

Mach dir keine Sorgen um dein Aussehen, Gefallen macht schön.

literary

"sich in einer Rolle gefallen"

— To enjoy playing a certain role or projecting a certain image.

Er gefällt sich in der Rolle des strengen Lehrers.

neutral

"etwas gefällt jemandem ausnehmend gut"

— Someone likes something exceptionally well.

Der Wein gefällt mir ausnehmend gut.

formal

"auf Gefallen stoßen"

— To meet with approval.

Sein Vorschlag stieß auf großes Gefallen.

formal

"um jeden Preis gefallen wollen"

— To want to please at any cost.

Sie will immer um jeden Preis gefallen.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

gefallen vs mögen

Both translate to 'to like' in English.

'Mögen' is active (I like it). 'Gefallen' is passive-like (It pleases me). 'Mögen' is often used for general preferences (I like dogs), while 'gefallen' is used for specific instances (I like that specific dog).

Ich mag Hunde, und dieser Hund gefällt mir besonders.

gefallen vs schmecken

English uses 'like' for food, so learners use 'gefallen' for food.

'Schmecken' is for taste. 'Gefallen' is for sight/sound/experience.

Die Pizza schmeckt mir (I like the taste). Das Restaurant gefällt mir (I like the look/vibe of the restaurant).

gefallen vs lieben

Learners overuse 'lieben' to mean 'like very much'.

'Lieben' means 'to love' and is very strong in German. 'Gefallen' is the appropriate word for liking things strongly without emotional devotion.

Ich liebe meine Frau. Ihr neues Kleid gefällt mir.

gefallen vs gehören

Both are dative verbs starting with 'ge-'.

'Gehören' means 'to belong to'. 'Gefallen' means 'to please'.

Das Auto gehört mir (It's mine). Das Auto gefällt mir (I like it).

gefallen vs gefehlt

Spelling and pronunciation are very similar.

'Gefehlt' is the past participle of 'fehlen' (to miss/be lacking). 'Gefallen' is 'to please'.

Du hast mir gefehlt (I missed you). Du hast mir gefallen (I liked you).

Padrões de frases

[Subject] gefällt mir.

Das Haus gefällt mir.

[Subject] gefällt mir nicht.

Der Hund gefällt mir nicht.

Wie gefällt [Dative Pronoun] [Subject]?

Wie gefällt dir das Auto?

[Subject] hat mir gefallen.

Der Film hat mir gefallen.

Es gefällt mir, dass...

Es gefällt mir, dass du lachst.

Was gefällt dir an [Dative]?

Was gefällt dir an Berlin?

Mir persönlich gefällt [Subject] besser.

Mir persönlich gefällt dieses Design besser.

[Subject] findet Gefallen an [Dative].

Er findet Gefallen an der Kunst.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

der Gefallen (the favor)

das Gefallen (the pleasure/liking)

die Gefälligkeit (the favor/complaisance)

Verbos

missfallen (to displease)

auffallen (to stand out/be noticeable - related root)

einfallen (to come to mind - related root)

Adjetivos

gefällig (pleasing/obliging)

ungefällig (unhelpful/disobliging)

Relacionado

der Fall (the fall/case)

fallen (to fall)

fällig (due)

der Zufall (coincidence)

die Falle (trap)

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Como usar

frequency

Extremely high. One of the top 100 most used verbs in spoken German.

Erros comuns

Ich gefalle das Buch. → Das Buch gefällt mir.
English speakers try to make 'I' the subject. In German, the book is the subject and 'I' becomes the dative object 'mir'.
Das Essen gefällt mir. → Das Essen schmeckt mir.
'Gefallen' is not used for the taste of food. You must use 'schmecken' to say that food tastes good to you.
Die Schuhe gefällt mir. → Die Schuhe gefallen mir.
'Die Schuhe' is plural, so the verb must be conjugated in the plural form 'gefallen', not the singular 'gefällt'.
Das Buch gefällt mich. → Das Buch gefällt mir.
'Gefallen' requires the dative case. 'Mich' is the accusative pronoun. You must use the dative pronoun 'mir'.
Der Film ist mir gefallen. → Der Film hat mir gefallen.
In the perfect tense, 'gefallen' (to please) uses the auxiliary verb 'haben'. Using 'sein' (ist) changes the meaning to 'The movie fell on me'.

Dicas

The Subject is the Object

Always remind yourself: The thing you like is the boss of the sentence. It dictates whether the verb is singular (gefällt) or plural (gefallen).

Eyes vs. Mouth

Use 'gefallen' for things you evaluate with your eyes and ears (art, music, clothes). Use 'schmecken' for things you evaluate with your mouth (food, drinks).

Hard G

Make sure to pronounce the 'g' in 'gefallen' as a hard sound, like in the English word 'go'. Never pronounce it like a 'j'.

Flip the Sentence

To sound more native, practice putting the dative pronoun first: 'Mir gefällt das' instead of 'Das gefällt mir'. It flows better in conversation.

Shopping Essential

Memorize 'Gefällt dir das?' and 'Das gefällt mir' before going shopping in Germany. You will use these phrases constantly.

Past Tense Trap

Remember: 'hat gefallen' = liked. 'ist gefallen' = fell down. Don't mix up your auxiliary verbs!

Liking vs. Loving

Don't translate 'I love this song' literally to 'Ich liebe dieses Lied' unless you are very passionate. 'Das Lied gefällt mir sehr' is usually better.

Stand Your Ground

Learn the phrase 'Das lasse ich mir nicht gefallen!'. It's a great way to assert yourself if someone is treating you unfairly.

Spelling Check

Watch out for the umlaut! It's 'gefällt' (with two dots) for singular, but 'gefallen' (no dots) for plural and infinitive.

Catch the Pronoun

When listening to Germans, focus on catching the pronoun (mir, dir, ihm, ihr) right after 'gefällt' to know exactly who likes the thing.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Imagine an apple FALLING from a tree and hitting you on the head, but instead of hurting, it's a golden apple and you are very PLEASED. The apple GE-FALLEN to me, and it PLEASES me.

Associação visual

Visualize a Facebook 'Like' button with the word 'Gefällt mir' written on it. Every time you 'like' something online, imagine physically clicking that German button.

Word Web

gefallen mir (to me) dir (to you) mögen (to like - alternative) schmecken (to taste - contrast) der Gefallen (the favor) missfallen (to displease) das Auto (subject)

Desafio

Walk around your room right now. Point to three objects you like and say out loud: 'Das [Object] gefällt mir.' Point to one object you don't like and say: 'Das [Object] gefällt mir nicht.'

Origem da palavra

From Middle High German 'gevallen', from Old High German 'gifallan'. The original literal meaning was 'to fall to one's share' or 'to turn out'. Over time, the meaning shifted from a neutral 'how things fall/turn out' to a positive 'turning out well for someone', hence 'to please'.

Significado original: To fall to one's share, to happen, to turn out.

Indo-European > Germanic > West Germanic > High German

Contexto cultural

Be careful not to use 'gefallen' for food when you are a guest. If a host asks how the food is, saying 'Es gefällt mir' sounds like you are analyzing its visual presentation rather than enjoying the taste. Always use 'Es schmeckt mir'.

English speakers overuse 'I love' (e.g., 'I love your shoes!'). In German, 'Ich liebe deine Schuhe' sounds overly dramatic. 'Deine Schuhe gefallen mir' is the culturally appropriate equivalent.

The Facebook 'Like' button is localized as 'Gefällt mir' in German. Shakespeare's play 'As You Like It' is translated into German as 'Wie es euch gefällt'. The famous German song 'Was dir gefällt' by various artists explores the theme of personal taste.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Shopping for clothes

Gefällt dir die Farbe?
Die Jacke gefällt mir.
Das gefällt mir nicht.
Welches gefällt dir besser?

Talking about media (movies, books, music)

Wie hat dir der Film gefallen?
Das Buch hat mir sehr gefallen.
Die Musik gefällt mir.
Der Schauspieler gefällt mir nicht.

Visiting a new place

Wie gefällt es dir hier?
Berlin gefällt mir gut.
Die Stadt gefällt uns.
Es gefällt mir sehr.

Dating and relationships

Er gefällt mir.
Sie gefällt mir sehr.
Gefällt er dir?
Du gefällst mir.

Professional feedback

Der Vorschlag gefällt mir.
Das Layout gefällt uns gut.
Die Idee gefällt dem Chef.
Was gefällt Ihnen daran?

Iniciadores de conversa

"Wie gefällt dir eigentlich die neue Serie auf Netflix, von der alle reden?"

"Sag mal, wie hat dir das Konzert gestern Abend gefallen?"

"Gefällt es dir in deiner neuen Wohnung besser als in der alten?"

"Was gefällt dir an deinem aktuellen Job am meisten?"

"Gefällt dir die Musik, die hier im Café läuft, oder ist sie zu laut?"

Temas para diário

Schreibe über drei Dinge, die dir an deiner Heimatstadt besonders gut gefallen.

Beschreibe ein Buch oder einen Film, der dir in letzter Zeit gar nicht gefallen hat, und erkläre warum.

Was gefällt dir an deinem besten Freund oder deiner besten Freundin am meisten?

Stell dir vor, du hast ein neues Haus gekauft. Beschreibe, was dir daran besonders gefällt.

Gibt es etwas, das dir früher nicht gefallen hat, aber heute schon? Beschreibe den Wandel.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Because 'gefallen' literally means 'to be pleasing to'. The book is doing the action of being pleasing. Therefore, the book is the subject (Nominative), and you are the receiver of the pleasure (Dative). Saying 'Ich gefalle das Buch' means 'I am pleasing to the book', which is nonsensical.

Generally, no. If you eat a delicious cake and say 'Der Kuchen gefällt mir', a German will think you are admiring how the cake looks (its decoration). To say you like the taste, you must use 'Der Kuchen schmeckt mir'.

'Mögen' uses the English structure: Subject (I) + Verb (like) + Object (it). 'Ich mag das Buch'. 'Gefallen' reverses it: Subject (It) + Verb (pleases) + Dative (me). 'Das Buch gefällt mir'. 'Mögen' is often for general facts (I like coffee), while 'gefallen' is for specific observations (I like this specific cup of coffee).

You use the perfect tense with the auxiliary verb 'haben'. 'Es hat mir gefallen'. Do not use 'sein' (Es ist mir gefallen), as that means something physically fell on you.

Because 'Die Schuhe' (the shoes) is plural. The verb must agree with the subject. Since the shoes are the subject doing the pleasing, the verb takes the plural form 'gefallen'.

It is an idiom that means 'to put up with something' or 'to tolerate'. For example, 'Ich lasse mir das nicht gefallen' means 'I won't put up with that' or 'I won't take that sitting down'.

You use the dummy subject 'es'. 'Wie gefällt es dir hier?' (How do you like it here?). You can also be specific: 'Wie gefällt dir Berlin?'.

No, it is inseparable. The prefix 'ge-' stays attached to the verb in all tenses. For example, 'Das gefällt mir' (not 'Das fällt mir ge').

Yes, but it usually refers to initial physical attraction or a good first impression. 'Er gefällt mir' means 'I find him attractive' or 'I like his vibe'. It is less serious than 'Ich bin in ihn verliebt' (I am in love with him).

The noun is 'der Gefallen', which means 'the favor'. 'Kannst du mir einen Gefallen tun?' means 'Can you do me a favor?'. The noun 'das Gefallen' (capitalized infinitive) means 'the liking/pleasure'.

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