To talk about sudden phases or whims, use darle por followed by an infinitive.
Like gustar, this structure uses an indirect object pronoun (me, te, le, nos, os, les) to show who is experiencing the whim. The verb dar is typically conjugated in the third-person singular, often in the present perfect (ha dado) for recent phases, or the preterite (dio) for sudden past whims.
| Lately I have suddenly taken to collecting coins. | Últimamente me ha dado por coleccionar monedas. |
| This week we have suddenly taken to doing crochet. | Esta semana nos ha dado por hacer ganchillo. |
To clarify or emphasize who is going through the phase, add a + [person/pronoun] before the indirect object pronoun.
| My father has suddenly taken to meditating. | A mi padre le ha dado por meditar. |
| Suddenly, she took to collecting stamps. | De repente, a ella le dio por coleccionar sellos. |
| The children have suddenly taken to practicing calligraphy. | A los niños les ha dado por practicar caligrafía. |
When using a reflexive verb after por, attach the reflexive pronoun to the end of the infinitive, making sure it matches the person experiencing the whim.
| Why do people suddenly take to becoming obsessed with what does not matter? | ¿Por qué a la gente le da por obsesionarse con lo que no importa? |
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