Introduction to Preferir
Preferir, which means "to prefer," is a useful verb in Spanish when expressing preferences between two or more options. It is an irregular verb in the -er class and follows a unique conjugation pattern similar to that of stem-changing verbs, specifically changing the "e" to "ie" in all forms except the infinitive, gerund, and imperative.
Conjugations
The conjugation of preferir in the present tense allows you to express preferences in real-time.
| Subject | Conjugation | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | Prefiero | I prefer |
| Tú | Prefieres | You prefer (informal) |
| Él/Ella/Usted | Prefiere | He/She/You prefer (formal) |
| Nosotros | Preferimos | We prefer |
| Vosotros | Preferís | You all prefer (informal) |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | Prefieren | They/You all prefer (formal) |
What are the conjugations of 'preferir' for 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'?
For 'nosotros', the conjugation is 'preferimos', and for 'vosotros', it is 'preferís'.
Is 'preferir' regular or irregular in Spanish?
'Preferir' is an irregular verb in Spanish.
Usage in Sentences
Using preferir in sentences helps clarify its application in expressing choices and preferences.
- Yo prefiero el té sobre el café. (I prefer tea over coffee.)
- Ella prefiere la música clásica. (She prefers classical music.)
- Nosotros preferimos salir temprano. (We prefer to leave early.)
How do you say 'I prefer tea over coffee' in Spanish?
In Spanish, 'I prefer tea over coffee' is 'Yo prefiero el té sobre el café.'.
What does 'Ella prefiere la música clásica' mean in English?
Ella prefiere la música clásica means 'She prefers classical music.' in English.
Related Expressions
Preferir can be used in various expressions to enhance your conversational skills in Spanish.
- Preferir...a: to prefer one thing over another.
- Preferir...antes que: to prefer something before another.
- Preferir...más que: to prefer more than.
How do you express a preference between seasons in Spanish?
To express a preference between seasons, you can say 'Prefiero el verano a el invierno.'.
What does 'Nosotros preferimos la pizza más que la pasta' mean?
'Nosotros preferimos la pizza más que la pasta' means 'We prefer pizza more than pasta.' in English.