Portuguese · Everyday Verbs
"to prefer" in Portuguese: preferir
preferir
To prefer in Portuguese is preferir. Say eu prefiro for choices—café, seats, routes—without sounding demanding.
Coffee order
Eu prefiro café sem açúcar.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce preferir
Say it
preh-feh-REER / preh-FEE-roo
/pɾe.fe.ˈɾiʁ/
preh-feh-REER. Eu prefiro is preh-FEE-roo
"to prefer" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| preferir | to prefer Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| eu prefiro | I prefer Present first person. | Present first person. |
| você prefere | you prefer Questions and offers. | Questions and offers. |
| prefiro… a… | I prefer… to… Comparison. | Comparison. |
| preferiria | I would prefer Polite softener. | Polite softener. |
How to use preferir in real life
- 1Coffee order
Eu prefiro café sem açúcar.
I prefer coffee without sugar.
Eu prefiro.
- 2Movie night
Prefiro comédia a terror hoje.
I prefer comedy to horror today.
Prefiro… a…
- 3Seat ask
Você prefere janela ou corredor?
Do you prefer window or aisle?
Você prefere.
Mistakes English speakers make with preferir
Incorrect: Eu preferência café.
Correct: Eu prefiro café.
Preferência is the noun; use prefiro.
Incorrect: Eu preferir água.
Correct: Eu prefiro água.
Conjugate: prefiro.
Good to know
Prefiro is direct but polite with a calm tone. Soften with se possível or preferiria when asking strangers for special treatment.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Choosing a lunch spot
ChatPal
Você prefere japonesa ou brasileira?
Do you prefer Japanese or Brazilian?
You
Eu prefiro brasileira hoje.
I prefer Brazilian today.
ChatPal
Também prefiro. Tem um restaurante perto.
I prefer that too. There's a restaurant nearby.
You
Vamos nele.
Let's go there.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to prefer" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to prefer" in Portuguese
I prefer?
Eu prefiro.
Prefer A to B?
Prefiro A a B.
Would prefer?
Preferiria…
Preference noun?
A preferência—different word.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
