preferir
/pɾefeˈɾiɾ/
To prefer in Spanish is said as preferir. Wiktionary also lists anteponer.
Meaning: to favor (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| preferir | /pɾefeˈɾiɾ/ |
| anteponer | /antepoˈneɾ/ |
The verb preferir is used to express a general preference for one thing over another. For more specific situations where you are prioritizing one thing over another, you might use anteponer, which literally means to put before.
Which one should you use?
While preferir is used for general preferences, anteponer is used specifically when one thing is placed or prioritized above another.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The expression Me tira más is a colloquial way to say you are drawn to something and is used in some regions, especially in Latin America.
How does it change in a sentence?
preferir is an e-to-ie stem-changing verb. Because of this, the first-person singular present indicative is prefiero and the third-person singular present indicative is prefiere.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾefeˈɾiɾ/
Did you know?
- The colloquial phrase me tira más literally means 'it pulls me more', imagining the preference as a physical tug or attraction.
- While English uses 'prefer' for almost any choice, Spanish speakers often switch to anteponer when the choice involves a sacrifice of one thing for another.
- While preferir is used for likes, anteponer is often used in formal or philosophical contexts to describe prioritizing one moral value over another.
Examples in context
- Preferiría no comer eso.I'd prefer not to eat that.This sentence shows how to use preferir to express a preference regarding food.Tatoeba #794403 by Shishir, translation #330623 by CM
- ¿Preferiría hablar en inglés?Would you prefer to speak in English?This sentence uses preferir to ask about a preference for a language.Tatoeba #1001053 by Shishir, translation #954715 by CN
- Pensé que preferiría ir solo.I thought I'd prefer going by myself.This sentence demonstrates using preferir to express a preference for an action being done alone.Tatoeba #1796925 by Shishir, translation #1140139 by CK
- Preferiría tomar café en lugar de téI would prefer to have coffee instead of tea
- Tendría preferencia por el trabajo en equipoI would have a preference for teamwork
- Me inclinaría por la opción más económicaI would lean towards the most economical option
- Optaría por quedarme en casa esta nocheI would prefer to stay home tonight
- Prefiero la pizza a la hamburguesaI prefer pizza over hamburgers
- Me gusta más el verano que el inviernoI prefer summer over winter
- Me tira más el cine que el teatroI'm more drawn to movies than theater
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “prefer” translations and entries preferir, anteponer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
