prefiero
/pɾefjeɾo/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "I prefer" is prefiero.
prefiero is used to indicate that you like one thing more than another.
Which one should you use?
While prefiero is the standard way to express preference, you may encounter other forms depending on the situation. Me gustaría más translates to "I would like more" and is a polite way to express preference. Opto por means "I opt for" or "I choose" and is used in formal contexts. Me tira más is a colloquial expression used to communicate a strong preference.
How does it change in a sentence?
prefiero is the first-person singular present indicative of the verb preferir.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾefjeɾo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
When comparing two things with prefiero, English speakers often mistakenly use que instead of a. For example, avoid saying "prefiero el café que el té" and use a instead.
Did you know?
- The phrase prefiero shares a Latin root with the English word 'prefer', but it also relates to the word 'preface', as both come from the idea of putting something 'before' something else.
- The colloquial phrase me tira más literally means 'it pulls me more', imagining the preference as a physical force attracting the speaker.
- When expressing a preference between two people, you must use the personal 'a' after prefiero, such as in prefiero a María a Juan, a rule that does not exist in English.
Examples in context
- Prefiero a los perros.I prefer dogs.This sentence shows how to use prefiero with a noun.Tatoeba #4484163 by cueyayotl, translation #2261103 by Hybrid
- Prefiero el café al té.I prefer coffee to tea.This sentence demonstrates the correct use of a when comparing two things with prefiero.Tatoeba #818668 by Shishir, translation #29020 by CK
- Prefiero quedarme a ir.I prefer staying to going.This sentence shows how to use prefiero when comparing two actions.Tatoeba #2054938 by Shishir, translation #660384 by CM
- Prefiero tomar café en la mañana.I prefer to have coffee in the morning.
- Me gustaría más ir al cine que al teatro.I would prefer going to the cinema rather than the theater.
- Opto por una alimentación saludable.I prefer a healthy diet.
- Me gusta más el fútbol que el baloncesto.I prefer soccer over basketball.
- Me tira más la música clásica que el reggaetón.I prefer classical music over reggaeton.
- Prefiero la pasta en lugar de la pizza.I prefer pasta instead of pizza.
- Me gustaría más ir a nadar que a bailar.I would prefer to go swimming rather than dancing.
- Me tira más la playa que la montaña.I prefer the beach over the mountains.
- 171 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are deciding which movie to watch.
- Javier¿Quieres ver una película de terror?Do you want to watch a horror movie?
- SofíaNo, prefiero una comedia hoy.No, I prefer a comedy today.
- JavierEstá bien, busquemos una divertida.That's fine, let's look for a funny one.
- SofíaGracias, Javier.Thank you, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
