gefallen
Translation
to please, to like
Examples
Die neuen Kleider gefielen ihr sehr.
She liked the new clothes very much.
Uns gefielen die alten Lieder besser.
We liked the old songs better.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) ((sb.dat)) sth. pleases sb. The performance pleased the audience. Die Aufführung gefiel dem Publikum.
Similar Words
mögen (to like), ansprechen (to appeal to)
Etymology
From 'ge-' (prefix) + 'fallen' (to fall). The idea is that something 'falls' favourably upon someone, i.e., it pleases them.
Memory Tips
Remember that the person who likes something is in the dative case ('mir gefällt'). The thing being liked is the subject. Think of it as 'It falls pleasingly *to me*'.