更喜欢
gèng xǐhuan
The English verb 'prefer' is translated to Chinese as 更喜欢 (gèng xǐhuan).
更喜欢 is used to express that you favor one thing over another. For example, you can use the pattern '比起…更喜欢…' (prefer … more than …) to show preference between two items. The base term 喜欢 is a versatile word that can mean both 'to like' or 'to prefer'.
Meaning: to favor (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 更喜欢 is composed of 更, meaning 'more' and 喜欢, meaning 'to like'.
Which one should you use?
While English uses a single verb 'prefer', Chinese uses a comparative construction. You can use 最喜欢 to mean 'most favorite' when you want to emphasize a very strong preference in casual conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, 'prefer' is not a single word but is formed by combining the adverb 更 (more) with the verb 喜欢 (to like). To express 'prefer A to B', a common pattern is using 比起 (compared to) or 较之于 (compared to) followed by the subject and then 更喜欢.
How do you pronounce it?
gèng xǐhuan
Did you know?
- In some contexts, stating a preference using 更喜欢 can be seen as too direct. Polite Chinese conversation often uses phrases like 比较喜欢, meaning 'relatively like', to soften the preference and avoid sounding demanding.
- When choosing between two items, a Chinese speaker might use the word 宁愿 (nìngyuàn), which means 'would rather'. This carries a nuance of 'preferring' one thing despite a potential downside or sacrifice.
- In some dialects or very formal written Chinese, you might see 偏爱 (piān'ài) used. This means 'to favor' or 'to have a partiality for', often used when describing a parent's preference for one child over another.
Examples in context
- 狗和猫你更喜欢哪一个？Which do you prefer, dogs or cats?This sentence is useful for asking someone to choose between two options using 更喜欢.Tatoeba #4887666 by musclegirlxyp, translation #4525583 by CK
- 較之于狗，我更喜欢猫。I prefer cats to dogs.This sentence demonstrates how to use 更喜欢 to express a preference for one thing over another.Tatoeba #5728392 by xjjAstrus, translation #257246 by CK
- 比起面包，我更喜欢米饭。I prefer rice to bread.This sentence shows how to use a comparison to state a preference for rice over bread using 更喜欢.Tatoeba #8761470 by crescat, translation #255448 by CK
- 他偏爱阅读经典文学。He prefers reading classic literature.
- 我最喜欢的颜色是蓝色。My favorite color is blue.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are choosing a movie to watch.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你想看动作片吗？Nǐ xiǎng kàn dòngzuòpiàn ma?Do you want to watch an action movie?
- 佳怡 Jiayi不，我更喜欢喜剧片。Bù, wǒ gèng xǐhuān xǐjùpiàn.No, I prefer comedies.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好，那我们看喜剧吧。Hǎo, nà wǒmen kàn xǐjù ba.Okay, let's watch a comedy then.
- 佳怡 Jiayi太好了，志强。Tài hǎole, Zhìqiáng.Great, Zhiqiang.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
