Portuguese Phrase
Gosto de andar de bicicleta.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘I like to ride a bicycle.’ It expresses a personal preference for the activity of cycling. The verb ‘gostar’ conveys a positive feeling toward the action, not just the object itself.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to talk about hobbies, sports, or any activity you enjoy. It works in casual conversation, introductions, or when answering the question ‘O que você gosta de fazer?’ (What do you like to do?).
✦Grammar Breakdown
Gostodeandardebicicleta
Verb Gosto (gostar de)
‘Gosto’ is the first‑person singular present of the verb ‘gostar’, which is used with the preposition ‘de’ to express liking something.
Infinitive after ‘gostar de’
When ‘gostar’ is followed by another verb, that verb stays in the infinitive form (e.g., ‘andar’).
Preposition ‘de’ before a noun
The second ‘de’ links the infinitive verb to the noun ‘bicicleta’, indicating the activity you like to do with that object.
Article omission
In Portuguese, the noun after ‘de’ does not need an article when it follows a verb of preference (e.g., ‘de bicicleta’, not ‘da bicicleta’).
🗨In Conversation
O que você costuma fazer nos fins de semana?
What do you usually do on weekends?
Gosto de andar de bicicleta.
I like to ride a bicycle.
✕Common Mistakes
Gosto de andar a bicicleta.
Use ‘de bicicleta’ (no article) after the infinitive; ‘a bicicleta’ would be used with a finite verb like ‘eu ando a bicicleta’.
Gosto de andar bicicleta.
The preposition ‘de’ must appear before the noun when the infinitive is used.
Gosto de andar de bicicleta?
The statement is declarative; a question would need intonation change or a question word, not a question mark alone.
↔Alternatives
Adoro andar de bicicleta.
I love riding a bicycle.
Eu gosto de pedalar.
I like to pedal.
Eu curto andar de bicicleta.
I’m into riding a bicycle.
Cultural Tip
Cycling is a popular pastime in many Brazilian cities, especially in coastal areas like Rio de Janeiro and Florianópolis where bike lanes are common. When talking about your hobby, Brazilians often add a smile and a relaxed tone, showing that it’s a leisure activity rather than a competitive sport. In Portugal, you might hear ‘andar de bicicleta’ more often in the context of commuting, while ‘pedalar’ can sound a bit more sporty.