preferido
/pɾefeˈɾido/
The English word 'preferred' is translated into Spanish as preferido.
The word is used to describe something that is liked more than other options of the same kind.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, preferido must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use preferida for feminine singular nouns, preferidos for masculine plural nouns and preferidas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾefeˈɾido/
Did you know?
- If you are using preferido to describe a person you like very much, it can carry a romantic connotation that 'preferred' does not have in English.
- The word preferido shares a common Latin root with the English word 'priority', as both stem from the idea of being placed 'before' other things.
- While preferido describes a preference, Spanish uses the word predilecto in high-society or formal contexts to suggest a thing or person is almost chosen by fate.
Examples in context
- No es mi tema preferido.It isn't my preferred theme.This sentence shows how to use preferido to describe a theme.Tatoeba #503448 by Leono, translation #707335 by papabear
- Siempre he preferido trabajar solo.I've always preferred working alone.Tatoeba #2333280 by marcelostockle, translation #2208661 by CK
- Las hormigas son el plato preferido de los cerdos hormigueros.Ants are the preferred dish of aardvarks.This sentence uses preferido to describe a dish.Tatoeba #974895 by hayastan, translation #13040688 by araneo
- Mi hotel preferido en Madrid es el Hotel Gran Vía.My preferred hotel in Madrid is the Gran Vía Hotel.
- De preferencia, me gustaría viajar en primera clase.I would prefer to travel first class, if possible.
- Opto por un enfoque más conservador en la resolución de problemas.I prefer a more conservative approach in problem-solving.
- Prefiero el café antes que el té.I prefer coffee over tea.
- Me gusta más el color azul que el rojo.I prefer blue over red.
- Mi restaurante preferido es La Casa del Saber, pero me gusta más comer en el puesto de tacos de mi vecindario.My preferred restaurant is La Casa del Saber, but I prefer eating at the taco stand in my neighborhood.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are choosing a movie to watch.
- Lucía¿Cuál es tu género de cine preferido?What is your preferred movie genre?
- JavierMi preferido es la ciencia ficción.My preferred one is science fiction.
- LucíaA mí me gusta más el terror.I like horror more.
- JavierEstá bien, busquemos una de terror entonces.Okay, let's look for a horror one then.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry preferido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
