de préférence
/də pʁe.fe.ʁɑ̃s/
In French, preferably is expressed as de préférence. Wiktionary also lists préférablement.
Meaning: in preference (adv)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| de préférence | /də pʁe.fe.ʁɑ̃s/ |
| préférablement | /pʁe.fe.ʁa.blə.mɑ̃/ |
De préférence is frequently used as an adverbial phrase to indicate a preferred choice or condition. When using de préférence at the beginning of a sentence, it is common to place a comma after the expression.
Which one should you use?
De préférence is the standard, most natural way to express 'preferably' in most contexts. Préférablement is much less common than de préférence in standard French and is often considered an anglicism.
How does it change in a sentence?
De préférence is a fixed prepositional phrase and does not change its form based on the gender or number of the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of de préférence is /də pʁe.fe.ʁɑ̃s/ and consists of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The root of préférence comes from the Latin 'praeferre', which literally means 'to carry/bear before'.
- The term de préférence can act as a stabilizer in a sentence, often appearing at the very end of a request to soften the tone and make it sound less like a command.
- In French legal or administrative texts, de préférence is often used to establish a hierarchy of rights rather than a simple personal liking.
Examples in context
- Les antennes doivent être placées de préférence sur le point le plus élevé du bâtiment.Antennas should be placed on the highest part of the building, preferably.This sentence shows how to use de préférence to specify a preferred location for antennas.Tatoeba #8942888 by lbdx, translation #4435387 by LB
- Nous désirons un assistant, préférablement quelqu'un d'expérience.We want an assistant, preferably someone with experience.This sentence shows the use of préférablement to describe a preferred quality for an assistant.Tatoeba #551980 by Scott, translation #267196 by CK
- Je souhaite que vous utilisiez, de préférence, le stylo bleu pour remplir le formulaire.I'd like you to use the blue pen preferably to fill out the form.
- Je voudrais une table près de la fenêtre, de préférence.I would like a table near the window, preferably.
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are choosing a restaurant for dinner.
- LéaOn cherche un restaurant italien, de préférence.We are looking for an Italian restaurant, preferably.
- LucasIl y en a un très bon dans la rue d'à côté.There is a very good one in the next street.
- LéaEst-ce qu'il est ouvert ce soir, Lucas ?Is it open tonight, Lucas?
- LucasOui, je pense qu'il est ouvert tous les soirs.Yes, I think it is open every evening.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “preferably” translations and entries de préférence, préférablement, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, préférablement, préférence, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
