Spanish word

preferir

Pronunciation

IPA/pɾefeˈɾiɾ/

Meaning

  • verbprefer

Example

Yo prefiero quedarme en casa hoy.

I prefer to stay home today.

Illustration for preferir (prefer)

More examples

¿Prefieres salir o quedarte?

Do you prefer to go out or stay?

Core concept

One option marked as preferred with a small crown.

Common phrases

  • preferir que + subjuntivo

    prefer that + subjunctive

  • preferir algo antes que otra cosa

    prefer something to something else

  • preferir + infinitivo

    prefer to + infinitive

Similar words

querer: Feel a strong desire to have or do something.
gustar: Feel liking or attraction toward something or someone.
elegir: Select a single option from a set of candidates.
optar: Decide on one alternative among given options.

Definition in Spanish

Querer o inclinarse por una opción en lugar de otra.

Word origin

From Latin praeferrĕre 'to carry before', combining prae- 'before' and ferre 'to carry', giving the sense of placing one thing before another.

Usage tips

  • To express 'prefer A to B', Spanish uses preferir A a B (watch the preposition a), while preferir que + subjunctive expresses preferring someone else do something.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word